J. Mann and Sons was first established as a farm produce store in 1921. The range of products was extended in the 1930s and included groceries and hardware, as well as the first petrol bowser in Wodonga outside the store. After WWII, the premises were extended and the range of products continued to increase. In the 1960s the Mann Family opened a new supermarket in Wodonga, in addition to the hardware business, providing steel, plumbing and industrial supplies, and they employed over 100 people at one stage. With changes in the retail industry, the Mann Family sold the main hardware business to Bunnings and the steel and rural produce business to the Kelly brothers in 2006.This item was an important everyday feature in many stores when items were wrapped in brown paper before the introduction of plastic bags.The paper dispenser has a wooden top and base, with a cast iron frame and lever. There is a removable metal rod which holds the paper roll in place. It was used for dispensing brown wrapping paper. The Blade" lever is not sharp, but was used to stabilise the paper roll so the paper can be easily torn off at the required length. An empty paper roll is included.mann wodonga, wodonga businesses

The National cash register was used in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in High St., Wodonga, Victoria, and is part of the 'Mann' collection in the Wodonga Historical Society. J. Mann and Sons was first established as a farm produce store in 1921. The range of products was extended in the 1930s and included groceries and hardware, as well as the first petrol bowser in Wodonga outside the store. After WWII, the premises were extended and the range of products continued to increase. In the 1960s the Mann Family opened a new supermarket in Wodonga, in addition to the hardware business, providing steel, plumbing and industrial supplies, and they employed over 100 people at one stage. With changes in the retail industry, the Mann Family sold the main hardware business to Bunnings and the steel and rural produce business to the Kelly brothers in 2006. The National cash register has local significance due to its use in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in High St, Wodonga and the association with the Mann family. National cash register used in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in High St., Wodonga, Victoria. It has a metal exterior with faux wood grain and there is a grey electrical cable attached to the proper left side."National" "U 5044298 / CL6136 16R&S10" on a small rectangular metal plate on the front of the cash register.cash register, national cash register, mann, high street wodonga, local business, commerce, general stores, j. mann & sons