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1969
28 June 1968
The growth of Roths.
R A Roth is today a name linked with business development throughout the Mudgee District.
But fewer than 50 years ago, only one link in the chain of Roths stores had been established - where the present head office stands in Market Street.
The premises were originally Bishop's Saddlery Shop before the Roth family purchased them in 1910.
In the early days, a garage was run there under the management of Larry Leresche.
Later, it was taken over as a skin store and run by Mr. McKay.
It was not until 1925 that the present owner of the store (Mr. R A Roth) took over the management, renovated the premises and on April 19, 1926, opened for business as a general service store.
Business grew and over the years the shop was extended and renovated.
The old Alhambra Picture Theatre was purchased from the Estate of Wilkins and used as a bulk store.
Another adjoining property, previously owned by prominent painting contractor Mr. AC Lowe, was purchased on Mr. Lowe's death.
Only recently the verandah from this section of the building has been removed.
Old hotel
In Mr. Roth's early days of business, the section of Market Street where his store stands was one of the busiest in town.
On the corner where Beaurepaires stands was the old Imperial Hotel, (where the late W F Dunn conducted his political campaigns from the verandah).
The Western Post Printing Office, the Mudgee Mail and a dentist's surgery were other thriving businesses.
Roth’s continued to prosper throughout and from its humble beginnings began to establish branches, first at Hargraves, then Long Creek, Windeyer, then Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone, and in the early 1930s, Dunedoo, Coolah and a small business at Turill on the Cassilis Road.
The Superstore in Church Street was opened in 1935 under the management of the late Mr. Ted Lund.
Today, Roth’s stores employ between 50 and 60 throughout the district.
The Market Street store where Mr. Roth still works a seven-day week, employs 14 and remains the head office, servicing the other branch stores1
.