Ray White Rural Moree selling principal, Jason Humphries, said there were two auctions conducted at the Max Centre on one day for the property.

“We had approximately 20 to 30 people in attendance.

“There were lots of inquiries from prospective purchasers from throughout Australia as well as a good deal of local interest,” he said.

“We felt very privileged to be given the opportunity to auction what could be arguably one of the most iconic buildings ever offered for sale in Moree."

The property sold under the hammer to the highest bidder on the day, Harvey Norman, for an undisclosed amount.

“We thought that the successful sale of the property was a very positive sign of the commitment from Harvey Norman to the Moree community and the eventual sale price was a good indication of the investment yields for commercial property in the Moree area,” he said.

The AC Reid building was constructed in 1904, as a general store in Federation Romanes-que style.

The store faced some difficult times, the first of which was the big flood in January 1910 which caused considerable damage and flooded the cellars beneath the building.

In December, 1928, when A.C. Reid’s was designated “the store beautiful”, it was besieged by fire when all the other buildings on both sides of Heber Street between Auburn and Balo Streets (as well as a large section of the western side of Balo street) were completely destroyed.

Reid’s store sustained damage from water, heat and smoke but remained structurally sound. The disastrous flood of February 1955 caused damage estimated at £115,000 ($230,00). Water rose to a depth of two feet and 10 inches.

In the main section of the building while the cellar took eight days for pumping operations to be completed.