Coogans Furnishings (Hobart, Australia) furniture

Established in 1876 in Launceston, Tasmania by upholsterer William Coogan, Coogans was a furniture manufacturing and retailing business. Over the following four decades, the business experienced significant growth, establishing factories in Hobart and Launceston, as well as retail outlets in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, and Ulverstone. At the height of its prosperity, Coogan's proudly declared itself as the 'largest furniture warehouse and manufacturer' in Australia. By the early 1920s, it stood as one of Tasmania's major employers, boasting a workforce of 376.

However the company faced challenges from the mid-1920s, due to economic downturns, the impact of the Second World War, and ultimately, competition from mass production. These factors led to the closure of factories and the Burnie and Ulverstone stores during the 1950s. Despite these setbacks, Coogan's persevered, opening a furniture store in Moonah in 1964. Unfortunately, the Launceston store shut its doors in 1978, leaving more... only the Hobart and Moonah retail establishments to mark the firm's 120th anniversary in 1996. In 2019, the business finally closed after 150 years of operation. less...