Celebrating 85 years in Mayfield

Davies Shoes celebrates 85 years in Mayfield

When Emlyn Davies first opened his shoe store in Kurri Kurri in 1927, he never dreamed it would endure to become the longest established, family owned business in Mayfield. After functioning successfully in Kurri for 12 years, Emlyn opened a 2nd shop, under the banner Emlyn Davies Shoe Store, at 175 Maitland Road Mayfield on Friday 13th December 1939. Far from being an unlucky omen, this marked the beginning of the respected place Davies Shoes has long held in the Mayfield community.

During the war years, stock was scarce but customers remained loyal, keen to buy what was available. In 1946, Emlyn tragically passed away but the business  continued under the guidance of his widow, Edna.  In 1955, the business was re-named Davies Shoes and in 1968, after acquiring further premises at 183 Maitland Road, it was divided to sell women’s and children’s shoes from its family store at 175 Maitland Road and men’s footwear from its ‘Mr Shop’ at 183. This plan suffered a temporary set back in February 1969 when an electrical fault triggered a fire which unfortunately destroyed the men’s store. This was re-built then re-opened in May 1969. The subsequent relocation of the ‘Mr Shop’ to 185 Maitland Road saw a third shop at 185a Maitland Road added in February 1972 and this operated as a clearance store for the other two.

 In March 1975,  the three stores were amalgamated and moved into the Abercrombie building at 272 Maitland Road where it has been operating ever since. During this time, the Davies family were witness to the downturn in Australian footwear manufacturing and the greater reliance on imports to fill the shelves. Always keen to provide their customers with the best options available, stock was and continues to be sourced from quality brands including many European manufacturers who maintain the high standards expected by Davies Shoes customers.

During its many years of operation, Davies Shoes has borne witness to many events, both good and bad, and proven itself a survivor. During the infamous Pasha Bulka storm in June 2007, the roof from the old shop at 183 Maitland Road was dislodged and blew across Maitland Road. It  cleared the 3 storey high Hunter Building to land intact on the roof of Davies Shoes current location at 272. This provoked amusing comments from the Davies family about the past always catching up with you.

The current owner/operator, Ivor Davies, has worked in the business since the mid 1960’s, purchasing it outright in 1978. He, with the support of his family and loyal staff, has been the worthy caretaker of his father Emlyn’s legacy, successfully building the business into the iconic shoe store it is today.