402 - Pleasing You Was Important At John Martin's

The Adelaide Show

Most South Australian's of a certain age, remember John Martin's Department Stores with great fondness. And now, 26 years after the doors closed, Paul Flavel has brought Johnnies back to life with a magnificent, hard cover book. He's our special guest, taking us down memory lane after five solid years of research and story gathering.

There is no SA Drink of the Week this week.

And in the Musical Pilgrimage, we hear an early song by Australian legend, Peter Combe, which was written for the John Martin's Christmas Pageant.

Join us for this milestone episode as we blend history, music, and community conversation, marking eleven years of showcasing the passions that shape South Australia.

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Running Sheet: Pleasing You Was Important At John Martin's

00:00:00 Intro

Introduction

00:00:00 SA Drink Of The Week

No SA Drink Of The Week this week.

00:02:45 Paul Flavel, Author, John Martin's The Story Of South Australia's Beloved Department Store

In this episode, Steve Davis sat down with author Paul Flavel to delve into the rich history of John Martin's, South Australia's beloved department store that graced the retail landscape for over 130 years until its closure in 1998. Paul's new book, John Martin's: The Story of South Australia's Beloved Department Store, is the first comprehensive documentation of this iconic institution, lovingly dedicated to his grandmother—a personal link that fuels his passion for the store's legacy.

We explore dramatic moments in John Martin's history, starting with the devastating fire on Easter Sunday in 1901, when a display of wax figurines representing the Rock of Ages caught fire, spreading rapidly through the store. Despite such challenges, including enduring the Great Depression and two World Wars, John Martin's remained a cornerstone of the South Australian community.

Paul shares how John Martin's stirs vivid memories in the subconscious of South Australians. For many, it was a place of first jobs straight out of school, the magic of the annual Christmas Pageant—a wonderful institution that brought joy to families—and staff picnics that fostered a sense of loyalty and connection among employees. These traditions remind us of a time when working for a company meant being part of a community.

We reminisce about the charming "lift ladies" and other quirky characters that made shopping at John Martin's a unique experience. The conversation includes some funny stories, and even some romantic tales reminiscent of Are You Being Served?, like Steve's unrequited romance with the stationery girl, and anecdotes about his colleagues like Debbie, Sharon, and the West Lakes' stores version of Mr Peacock. We also touch on the iconic "Miss JM" and miniskirs, along with the store's brush with fame during The Beatles' visit.

The conversation turns reflective as we examine whether, as consumers, we played a part in the store's demise. The introduction of bank credit cards in Australia gave shoppers more freedom, reducing reliance on department store credit systems—once a significant part of John Martin's business model. The rise of national retailers like Myer, and discount stores such as Kmart and Target, intensified competition, challenging John Martin's ability to compete. We discuss how these factors, along with the sale and rebranding of various store locations, signaled the end of an era.

Finally, we contemplate whether a store like John Martin's could succeed in today's retail environment. Paul shares insights from his extensive research and reflects on how consumer behavior and the retail landscape have evolved. Is there still a place for the loyalty and community that John Martin's fostered, or have we moved beyond that model?

Join us for a nostalgic journey through the history of John Martin's, filled with personal stories, historical insights, and reflections on the store's enduring legacy in South Australia.

00:57:45 Musical Pilgrimage

In the Musical Pilgrimage, we feature To You Merry Christmas by Peter Combe.

In 1989, Peter wrote a song for a John Martin’s Christmas Pageant competition, called ‘To You Merry Christmas’. Although he didn’t win the competition that year, he did later release the song as part of a Christmas album which reached the ARIA top charts and it went gold within five weeks of its release in 1990. Ironically, it outlived John Martin's.

In 2022, Peter was one of the celebrity performers at the Christmas Carols event and rode in the "National Pharmacies" Christmas Pageant as part of the promotion. National Pharmacies is the current title sponsor of the event, which is managed by Events South Australia.

Peter has a new album waiting in the wings, A Frog in My Cheese Sandwich, and we're told that if we wash our face in orange juice and clean our teeth with bubble gum, he'll be happy to join us for a full episode.

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Capitole

1. 402 - Pleasing You Was Important At John Martin's (00:00:00)

2. Paul Flavel (00:02:45)

3. Musical Pilgrimage (00:57:45)