D.I.C. (department store)
{{Short description|Defunct New Zealand department store chain}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = D.I.C.
| image = DIC building.jpg
| image_caption = Former flagship on Princes Street, Dunedin
| founded = 1884
| founder = Bendix Hallenstein
| defunct = {{End date|1991}}
| parent = Arthur Barnett (1988–1991)
}}
The D.I.C. (originally the Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand Ltd) was a New Zealand department store chain, founded in Dunedin by Bendix Hallenstein in 1884.{{Cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=OW18901030.2.47|title=TheDrapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand Ltd|publisher=Otago Witness|date=30 October 1890|accessdate=2 March 2010}}{{Cite book|title=Sites of gender: women, men and modernity in Southern Dunedin, 1890–1939 |first1=Barbara Lesley |last1=Brookes |first2=Annabel |last2=Cooper |first3=Robin |last3=Law |publisher=Auckland University Press |year=2003 |page=126 |isbn=978-1-86940-305-8}}
It was bought out by one of its chief rivals, Arthur Barnett, in the 1980s.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10366311|title=Christchurch retailer Arthur Barnett to close|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=1 February 2006 |accessdate=2 March 2010}} The site of the company's former headquarters and flagship store is now occupied by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, although the façade of the Princes Street entrance still remains in largely original condition.
History
Hallenstein opened the first Drapery and General Importing Company store in 1884 in Dunedin Central.{{cite web |title=The DIC |url=https://www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz/the-dic/ |website=nzfashionmuseum.org.nz |publisher=New Zealand Fashion Museum}}
A second store opened in Christchurch in 1885.
In 1977 D.I.C with the Canterbury Farmers Co-operative they took over the Beaths Department Store brand with D.I.C taking over the Cashel Street store and the Farmers Co-op took over the New Brighton store and the Ashburton store (which was closed as part of the takeover).{{Cite web |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770129.2.20?end_date=31-12-1979&items_per_page=10&query=Beaths+D.I.C&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1970 |title=Beath’s in second change of direction |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
In 1978 Beaths and D.I.C merged and the Christchurch store was rebranded to D.I.C-Beaths.{{Cite web |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19780420.2.169?end_date=31-12-1979&items_per_page=10&query=Beaths+D.I.C&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1978 |title=End of an era |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} In 1979 D.I.C left their original building in Christchurch and moved into the Beaths building.{{Cite web |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790921.2.57?end_date=31-12-1979&items_per_page=10&query=Beaths+D.I.C&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1978 |title=Last of D.I.C. |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
The chain had three stores in 1891, six stores by 1929, nine stores by 1976, and 16 stores by its takeover in 1988.
Stores
Prior to its takeover by Arthur Barnett, the D.I.C had stores in the following locations. Unless stated, they were rebranded as Arthur Barnett, with D.I.C. eventually closing in 1991:
- Dunedin, corner of The Octagon and Princes Street (original store – closed in 1991)
- Invercargill (rebranded Arthur Barnett in 1989) Closed in 1990 with Farmers relocating to site in 1991. Location most recently occupied by Art Fun Wear and was demolished in 2020 as part of a redevelopment of the entire city block.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114358941/department-store-doomed-for-demolishment-gets-last-hoorah|title=Invercargill department store doomed for demolishment gets last hoorah|date=26 July 2019}}
- Christchurch, Cashel Street (opened in 1885, burned down in 1908 and rebuilt, merged with Beath's department store in 1978 and shifted into their premises, rebranding as Arthur Barnett/D.I.C, then again as Arthur Barnett, and closed in 2005){{NZHPT|3096|Cashfields|30 July 2011}}
- Wellington, Lambton Quay. Built 1928 on the site of the former D.I.C store, closed early 1980s. Building refurbished as the Harbour City Centre which opened March 1985. the Harbour City Centre is a registered Category 2 heritage landmark. The six-storey steel and concrete frame building consists of 2 storeys of retail and 4 storeys of offices.
- Palmerston North – Former Milne & Choyce store, now the Palmerston North City Library. Rebranded as Arthur Barnett in 1989 and that store closed in 1992.{{Cite news |last=Laurenson |first=Helen |date=10 March 2010 |title=Department stores and shopping malls – Decline and survival |publisher=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/22210/department-store-closure |accessdate=18 December 2016}}
- Whanganui
- Hamilton – converted to the Central Library in Garden Place, which opened on 20 March 1993{{Cite web|url=http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info/documents/0000/0000/0070/Hamilton_City_Libraries_1980-2009_a_brief_history_working_draft_Oct_2009.pdf|title=Hamilton City Libraries 1980–2009 A Brief History|last=Downs|first=Jeff|date=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012035637/http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info/documents/0000/0000/0070/Hamilton_City_Libraries_1980-2009_a_brief_history_working_draft_Oct_2009.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=dead}}
- Napier
- Hastings (D.I.C Westermans)
- Lower Hutt, High St.
- Rotorua
- Pakuranga
- Takapuna
- Central Auckland (formerly George Court & Sons)
References
{{Commons category|D.I.C. (department store)|D.I.C.}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Retailers in New Zealand}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:D.I.C. (Department Store)}}
Category:Companies based in Dunedin
Category:Department stores of New Zealand
Category:Retail companies established in 1884