Johnson’s Overalls & Kitchenware – A Rich & Proud History.

The exclusive ladies’ and gentlemen’s outfitters known as Johnson’s was established in 1912 by draper and clothier James Johnson. The original location, on the corner of George and Grosvenor Streets, was known as Johnson’s Corner, and to this day still bears its name.

Click here to view this corner on Google and look up at the awning where the “Johnson’s Corner” name remains.

Following the Great Depression the business hit the wall, but in 1932 an enterprising employee of the business named Ernest Pickham borrowed some money and bought it out. He renamed it Johnson’s Overalls and supplied specialised uniforms to working men and the merchant navy.

His son, Neville Pickham, remembers his father would take orders during the day, close up shop, dash out and buy the fabric, and have the uniforms run up that night ready for the morning pick-up.

Neville Pickham started working at Johnson’s Overalls in 1957 and expanded the trade into kitchen equipment: “European chefs were coming in for uniforms and saying they needed a decent knife.” So he began to import French Sabatier and German F. Dick knives, pots and pans, aspic cutters and mandolins.

In 1970, The Rocks was redeveloped and the Johnson’s business moved to its former location at 739 George St, Haymarket.

From the late 1960’s Johnson’s were supplied hospitality uniforms from a Melbourne based company founded by the Ray family. which eventually became known as Ray Uniforms and Dura-Wear Industries, which were both responsible for the development of the Club Chef brand.

When the Pickham family retired in 2009, Dura-Wear Industries purchased the business and continued the Johnson’s legacy.

2012 marked 100 years of continuous service to the hospitality industry under the Johnson’s trading name.

In May 2017, the Johnson’s store was relocated from George Street to a bigger, brighter and brand-new store located at 72 Mary St, Surry Hills.

Since purchasing the Johnson’s business in 2009, Dura-Wear Industries continued to operate this retail arm under the co-branded trading name Johnson’s Est. 1912 | Club Chef, utilising the domain www.johnsons1912.com.au

On 26^th October 2022 the two trading names were consolidated to operate as Club Chef – Surry Hills.

Dura-Wear Industries and the Club Chef team are proud to uphold the rich history of the Johnson’s name and legacy into the future.

This photo was taken shortly before the grand opening of Johnson’s in September 1912. Note the policemen in uniform and the horse and cart in the foreground.

Click here to learn more about the Johnson’s building and James Johnson.