The history of Kwong Sing's store is told by Harvey Young, a grandson of Percy Puck Sing Young (Kwan Hong Kee) who was first of the Kwan clan to migrate to Australia.
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"He was an adventurous young man with entrepreneurial skills, he borrowed money from his brother and left China in 1876. He worked as a cook on the 126-foot, 395 ton sailing ship called the "Brisbane".
"On arrival, he found work as a cook, hawker and salesman in various Chinese establishments in Sydney, Newcastle and Narrandera.
"Initially, he worked for board and lodgings only and at night, after work, he studied to learn the English language.
"In 1883 he became a naturalized Australian citizen. In 1894 he joined the staff of the Kwong Sing War general store in Glen Innes.
"By 1911 he had purchased the store and, with the assistance of his large family, developed and expanded its operations.
"The Kwong Sing store had been established by Mr Wong Chee in 1886.
"The store initially traded with the numerous Chinese miners and rural workers in the district and subsequently with the broader community.
"The store was an essential hub of the community for its customers.
"It supplied all their basic needs: groceries, patent medicines, clothing, soft goods, furniture and bedding manufacturing, farm tools, firearms, explosives, fuel.
"Patent medicines were sold including Clements Tonic, Doans Backache Pills, Indian Root Pills, Warns Wonder Wool, and Carters Little Liver Pills. Hardy's Tintara wine was bought in bulk and bottled on the premises for sale.
"The grocery department sold and packed bulk flour, salt, sugar, rice, dates and other dried fruits in individual packets.
"The family was enlarged by the sponsoring of six of his nephews to come from China to Glen Innes where he provided for food, lodging, business training and language skills, and then with financial assistance to set up businesses of their own.
"From the turn of the century until WWII there was a remarkable spread of family businesses particularly in northern NSW. There were family stores in Glen Innes, Emmaville, Stanthorpe and Texas (Queensland), Casino, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Kyogle, Werris Creek, Inverell and Bundarra..."
Photo: 1926 Staff Top: Unknown, Ami Schroder, Lawrie Pendergast, Lucy Higgins, unknown, Mary Quirk, Elsie Carter, unknown, Elva Frew (Mrs R Robinson) Bottom: Percy Doust, Cliff Young, Charlie Comber, Charlie Ledger, Fred Rae, Jim Hoon, Meur Hing, Henry Young, Walter Gett, Fred Anderson, Cliff Hornery, Peter O'Brien, Reg McCarthy, unknown, unknown.
