Historic store still serving after 137 years

A general store that has been serving seven generations of families in the York district has been heritage listed.

Heritage Minister John Castrilli said the York & Districts Co-operative Ltd building, built in 1872, had been placed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

"It is one of only a handful of stores in Western Australia that has operated continuously for nearly 140 years, providing goods, employment and support to the local community," Mr Castrilli said.

"As a general store, it has sold everything from wool and wheat to hardware and clothing to generations of families, and now operates as a supermarket."

The two-storey Victorian-style building was built for William Edwards Junior, and owned and operated by his family until 1936, as the first of a chain of "Edwards' Stores" operating in the Avon Valley.

The York & Districts Co-operative Ltd has operated the store for the past 50 years, after purchasing it from Frederick Ashbolt in 1956.

"Known as the 'Co-op', this building contributes to the significant historic townscape of central York, and joins 25 other State Heritage-listed places in the Shire of York," the Minister said.

York & Districts Co-operative Ltd nominated the building for entry on the State register, hoping to access heritage grant money to restore the building facade to its former glory.

Minister's office  - 9213 6800