Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The partnership of Thomas Nock and Herbert Kirby began in November 1894. The original Nock & Kirby store was at Circular Quay, before the business expanded and moved to new premises at 417 George Street, Sydney.
By the 1950s, Nock & Kirby’s had become a household name in New South Wales. The shop sold everything from pots and pans to clothing, as well as hardware and gardening equipment. The company traded until 1983, when it was taken over by Burns Philp & Co and renamed BBC Hardware. Bunnings (Wesfarmers) bought the BBC Hardware chain in 2001.