General News
26 December, 2024
Mercer's now a part of Warracknabeal history
Mercer's Garage window is now amongst other past businesses that once made up the Warracknabeal town landscape after Warracknabeal Action Group's Townscape committee decided to display its history for all to see.
Townscape committee secretary Joy Swagerman said this project has been in the works for a while and for her it reaches a personal level.
"I grew up with the Mercer family," she said.
"I thought let's dress the window up.
"It's been 18 months in the making."
The Townscape committee had previously completed window signage for San Vaughan Milk Bar (1927 to 1969) at 74 Scott Street and Barber of Civility (1946 to 2002) located at 46 Scott Street.
"It's another window that people can stop at and read," she said.
Ms Swagerman said all information used was sourced from the Mercer family who had previously donated the history of the business to Rotary.
"There's a lot of history there," she said.
"It took a while to get it all together."
Mercer’s Garage served the community for 91 years before it was sold in 1982 when Alvis Mercer retired.
The business was passed onto Alvis after his father Henry Mercer died in 1941, aged 71.
Originally a cycle shop, Henry branched into engineering, selling Fero Stat Engines and later imported Calwell engines from America in 1909 and became a Ford Dealership in 1910.
At the time Alvis retired, he was the oldest Datsun Dealership in the Commonwealth and provided parts and services for 56 years.
The window display can be seen in Scott Street next to Rotary House and opposite IGA's carpark with all history available to read.