Historical information

Higginson's menswear store was located in High Street Wodonga.
Mr. Higginson first worked as a grocery boy at Farmer and Sons in Wodonga. He later moved to Rudines in Dean Street, Albury. He worked at this store, which sold clothing for both men and women for several years until he joined the army in 1942.

After the war, he went back to school for a while, but then returned to Rudines. This was followed by 2 years at Stiff and Gannon's in Wodonga. He set about saving to have his own business, spending 5 years as manager at Trim's in Albury.
Lionel Higginson met his future wife, Dulcie, at a social dance a few years after returning from the war. They both worked in menswear and were engaged 6 months later and started building their dream. This included building their own business.

The business, L. A. Higginson's Menswear opened on 10 October 1958 and around 12 months later added a women's clothing line, Dee Gals. This became so popular that in 1995 Dee Gals moved in to its own shop in the arcade. When Lionel passed away in 1999, his eldest daughter Pauline, who supported the business from the time she was 15, helped her mother progress the business. At this stage managing 2 stores was very demanding so Dee Gals was closed. In 2000, Dulcie's daughter Michelle Matthews and husband Phil took over the business.
Due to changing shopping approaches and demands of online shopping, the business closed on June 2023 after 65 years serving the community.

Significance

This item is significant because it was used and distributed by a major retail business which operated in Wodonga for more than 65 years.

Physical description

A plastic shopping bag used and distributed by Higginson Menswear Wodonga. The bag is beige with light brown print featured rows of small dots and a central oval featured the name and address of the business.

Inscriptions & markings

L.A. & D.J.
Higginson
Menswear
158 High Street Wodonga Ph. (020 6024 1712