Welcome to Austins Department Store

Established 1924

Charles Austin was sent by his father, Mr Robert Austin, to find a suitable site to expand his own drapery business. He found a small drapery store at 6-8 Courtenay Street in Newton Abbot – little did he know what the future held for him and his family business. The first day of trading was March 1st 1924. This was staffed by the owners and only three assistants with just a corrugated roof over 6 Courtenay Street. The venture grew rapidly over the years, thriving in the 1920s and 1930s. Its reputation of value and variety, a friendly and efficient service to customers, prompt payments to suppliers and honesty in all its dealings gave the department store a sound growth platform.