John Martin's

John Martin’s was a beloved Adelaide department store, founded in 1866 by Otto Peters and John Martin. Best known for its landmark Rundle Mall flagship, the Adelaide Christmas Pageant, and the Magic Cave, it became a cultural institution in South Australia.

At its peak, John Martin’s operated five stores—Rundle Mall, Kilkenny, Marion, Elizabeth, and West Lakes—along with a major warehouse at Lockleys.

Owned by the Hayward family for more than a century, the company changed hands several times in the 1980s before being acquired by David Jones in 1985. Although it continued to trade as a separate brand for more than a decade, John Martin’s ultimately closed in 1998.

Its legacy, however, remains deeply cherished by generations of South Australians.

Author

Paul Flavel is the author of John Martin’s – The Story of South Australia’s Beloved Department Store.

Growing up in the Adelaide Hills during the 1990s, Paul cherished his trips into the city with his snobby Grandma. Those outings sparked a lifelong fascination with department stores, especially the much‑loved Johnnies.

Now based in Melbourne, Paul has spent years ensuring the memory of this iconic retailer lives on. His extensively researched, self‑published book was released in September 2024 and has already enjoyed two print runs, inspiring an upcoming documentary.

Paul is available for history talks, and John Martin’s remains available for wholesale orders.

Contact

You can get in contact with Paul Flavel directly for questions about John Martin's, book a history talk, or a wholesale order.