The Breckler family had the building constructed between 1908 to 1912. They already owned a number of buildings around the city and would soon lease parts out to a tobacconist, newsagency, café and the Danker’s Swan Drug Company (later becoming known as the Freeman Chemists).

 

In the later years beginning in 1983, Lewis Clark opened two businesses at the premises, called Western Wear and LJ Ranch. Popularity of his wares over the years led him to combining the two businesses into one, which saw The Stockade Store appearing on the building.

 

James Gardner bought the two businesses from Mr Clark in October 2006, growing the store over the 240 metre floor space. (I was so sure the building had been closed since 2003 but this shows that I’m wrong.)

 

A popular tattoo shop was also located in the building and may have been the last to move out.

​

The Stockade & Top Hatters

There are a number of business registrations for The Stockade. One listing for Perth states that it was first registered on 11 March 1987 and cancelled on 11 September 2016.

 

Top Hatters is listed as being first registered as a business name on 16 October 1989 and cancelled on 05 July 2018.

 

Both are owned by James Gardner. In a Souvenir Edition Magazine titled “The Stockade Aussie Legends”, James signs off his intro as the owner of The Stockade Store, although I hadn’t found any business registration name for that, which he continues to use throughout the magazine.

 

I was so sure I’d heard customer stories and experiences of those who’d previously worked there, state that the shop had been trading as far back as the 1960s.