They emigrated to Melbourne in 1877, and soon found work at Robinson’s drapers at 37 Collins Street East, in 'the block', the most fashionable section of retailing in the city.

Finding success in a booming economy, in 1883 they moved a few doors down to a large four-storey building at 11-17 Collins Street East (now 280 Collins Street), which had been built in 1877 as Briscoe's warehouse[3][4]), and rebranded again as George & George’s Federal Emporium, selling a wider range of goods, from men's and women's clothing, underwear and hats, to children's toys, manchester, furniture, drugs, sweets, wines and spirits, and even coal and wood.

[2] It was a grand classical revival style building at what is now 162-168 Collins Street, and was built in 1884, designed by architects John Grainger and Charles D'Ebro.

[5] For over a year they ran the business in the two sites, until in September 1889 a disastrous fire destroyed their 280 Collins premises (which was then replaced by the first stage of the Block Arcade).

One notable innovation in the 1896 was the sale of bicycles, especially to women, with the top floor transformed into a 'cyclotorium', where they could learn to ride the newly improved devices.

[2] In the 1910s and 20s, there was much competition, with large and small department stores in the city and suburbs competing for custom; Georges maintained a position through basement sales, and firmly aiming at middle income and better off women.

[5] The store weathered the difficulties of WWII, and immediately after became a leading fashion retailer, for instance offering Norman Hartnell designs in 1946.

Georges developed a reputation for superior quality equal to that enjoyed by Harrods or Fortnum & Mason of London, and Bergdorf Goodman of New York.

[2] When Reta Findlay died suddenly in 1954, her status was such that her funeral was held in St Paul’s Cathedral, and Georges was closed for half a day.

[12] In 1960 the store prepared to expand across Little Collins Street to the rear by buying the premises of Specialty Press, which had printed much of their promotional material.

It had originally been built in 1891 as a Cyclorama, incorporating a large circular hall that displayed 360° paintings of famous scenes, such as the 1871 Siege of Paris.

Annette Cooper’s Remembering Georges: stories from Melbourne’s most elegant store, a compendium of interviews with former staff and clients, was published in 2014.