Renowned for its high-end goods, Brown Muffs was founded in 1814 by Mrs Elizabeth Brown. Before long she was selling ready fitted clothes and underwear, as well as having a book shop and library! Her son Henry took over the store, and went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Thomas Muff, in 1845. The business continued to expand rapidly, until the economic climate in the 1970s led to its takeover and eventual closure.
Records for Brown Muff and Co. include photographs of it’s departments and famous window displays, staff magazines, minutes and account books, all showing just why this store was known as ‘the Harrods of the North’.
Over the years the firm acquired new premises which still stand today, and had branched out into carpet making, bedding and furnishing, with electrical, hardware and kitchen departments, a food market, and perhaps unexpectedly a beauty parlour and Chapel of Rest!
Sadly with the economic climate of the 1970’s favouring large organisations, and a sharp downturn in profits, a decision in 1978 was made to accept a takeover offer from the Birmingham based firm Rackhams. It was the end of an era that had lasted over 100 years.
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