Masked history uncovered

A SMALL piece of history in the heart of Hobart’s CBD was on show for the first time in more than 35 years yesterday.

The aged signs from Jack and Hugh Garnham’s Excel- sior Furnishing Company remerged after workers removed boards from the front of the recently closed Mountain Designs store on the corner of Elizabeth and Bathurst streets.

Hugh Garnham, 83, told the Mercury his father pur- chased the space in 1952.

“It was just a a small furniture store, it was no Harvey Norman,” he said.

“I spent my whole life working there and it’s an absolute blast from the past.

“We were an icon in Hobart and people still ask if we’re selling furniture.

“It brings a tear to my eye thinking about it, it’s quite amazing that it’s still there and people remember us.”

The Garnhams closed their furniture store in 1982 and leased the space to Mountain Designs in 1985, before eventually selling the property about 20 years ago.

Mr Garnham, who lives in Sandy Bay, said he had yet to see the signs for himself but had been told by his gardener they were on display again.

“I’ll definitely be getting somebody to drive me in to town tomorrow,” he said.

The store was also known as Pine Palace and At Home in the time the Garnhams operated it.