Anyone who has lived in Avalon in the last 70 years knows a Johnson or has heard of The Johnsons, the Mitre 10 family business on Avalon Parade. The store has been around since 1957 and continues to serve the community even today.
Brothers John and Bob Johnson opened their Avalon hardware store after moving to Freshwater from Rydalmere. Building their reputation as credible and reliable businessmen, whose service and expertise was unmatched, the Johnsons opened a second store in Mona Vale in 1989.
By 2003, the brothers expanded their Mona Vale operations and soon took over 10 Hardwoods Australia outlets.
The expansion and incorporation were renamed into JBH Timbers and Building Supplies with the Mona Vale outlet becoming a “one-stop shop,” boasting of a wide product range like timber, hardware, tools, plumbing, fixings and all kinds of houseware, electrical and gardening items.
The Johnsons moved to a bigger and better site in Mona Vale, which has a separate retail and trade section, a heavy hardware area, an outdoor department and over 150 parking spots.
Meanwhile, the original Avalon outlet continues to trade the basic hardware and household needs in its most accessible and familiar location.
In the midst of their success, John and Bob found their partners, got married and had children. All 10 of John’s sons and daughters, as well as his in-laws, are working in the family business. Bob’s 10 children are also involved in some capacity at the Johnson Bros Hardware empire.
John and Bob are no longer hands-on with the business after retiring a few years back. Their children have taken over, learning from their parents’ training after school, or the weekends and school holidays.
The Johnsons are not just prominent figures in the Avalon business community. They are also involved in local sporting clubs and surf lifesaving clubs.
Watch the story of The Johnsons, an Avalon institution, in the below video:
