The store survived two world wars, the Depression, the 1934 flood, drought and two deceased partners, but could not endure sickness of one of its present-day owners and difficulties in leasing the building.

Co-owner Ken Kwan called staff together at 5pm on Thursday to tell them the doors would close on September 28, resulting in the retrenching of six workers.

Yesterday, Mr Kwan admitted the announcement had been “difficult” because the staff were like family members. He refused to rule out one day re-opening on another site.

He said he and his ailing partner Knoyle Cross had been unable to sign a long-term lease with the landlord Leasecorp and so the business would close.

The store had operated on that site for 127 years, but the decision has been described as “downsizing” because the company will continue to trade at its other shop in Ellen Street where some of the old departments will be included.

Part of the problem for the owners was that both Mr Kwan and Mr Cross were based in Adelaide and the burden of travelling to Port Pirie to oversee the operation had fallen on Mr Kwan who is now 68.

The company name has been in Port Pirie since a store opened on the foreshore, with a jetty, in Ellen Street in 1877.

It later moved to the corner of Ellen and Norman Streets.

Mick Prest is a direct descendant of one of the original founders, Henry Prest, and was the longest serving manager in the store’s history.

His first reaction was “good heavens” when he heard the news.

“It is obviously disappointing for the employees and I am sorry for them,” he said at his Telowie foothills property.

“Thousands of Port Pirie people would have worked in Prests over the 130 years.

“Three generations of families have worked there at the same time.

“The kids wanted to work there because their mum worked there. It was a real family business.”