The 138-year-old Sparrows building on East St has been demolished, paving the way for a new store at the site.
Owner Euan Sparrow said it was emotional watching the final moments of the demolition on Sunday night.
The town clock striking midnight added to the gravitas of the situation.
Sparrow said it was when he was listening to the 12 clock chimes that the building’s frontage, with ‘‘Sparrows trading since 1887’’ signwriting, fell in.
The contractor’s digger had been working away at it, but the ease at which it fell backwards on to the site meant the machinery did not have to knock into it.
‘‘At the strike of midnight the front of the building fell down, it was bizarre,’’ Sparrow said.
‘‘It was quite emotional, I was standing there thinking ‘Hell, this is the end of an era’.’’
The East St corner has affectionately been called Sparrows’ Corner for many years.
The store was established by Euan’s great great grandfather William Sparrow, a tailor who learned his trade in Scotland.
He opened it in 1887 as Sparrow Bros Ltd menswear.
The building dates back to the age of Queen Victoria.
Many people today have memories of it going back to their earlier years.
One former resident, Belinda Cimino, reminisced on her popular Facebook history group about getting her first pair of ‘‘not totally flat shoes’’ at the store for a dance in 1968.
‘‘I remember the excitement of buying these and bringing them home, so delighted.’’
A commenter said they got all their clothes and shoes from Sparrow Bros from a young age.
‘‘All the brothers and staff were always so helpful friendly.’’
The clothing store will remain at the site.
Rebuilding will begin in the new year.
It will be a modern single-storey tilt-slab building, expected to open in August.
