402 - Pleasing You Was Important At John Martin's

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.

You can navigate episodes using chapter markers in your podcast app. Not a fan of one segment? You can click next to jump to the next chapter in the show. We're here to serve!

The Adelaide Show Podcast: Awarded Silver for Best Interview Podcast in Australia at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards and named as Finalist for Best News and Current Affairs Podcast in the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards.

And please consider becoming part of our podcast by joining our Inner Circle. It's an email list. Join it and you might get an email on a Sunday or Monday seeking question ideas, guest ideas and requests for other bits of feedback about YOUR podcast, The Adelaide Show. Email us directly and we'll add you to the list: [e-mail]

If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or other podcast sites, or buy some great merch from our Red Bubble store - The Adelaide Show Shop. We'd greatly appreciate it.

And please talk about us and share our episodes on social media, it really helps build our community. Oh, and here's our index of all episode in one concise
page

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