In decades gone by, big name Tasmanian family-run businesses flourished in Launceston.

Dozens of family-owned enterprises used to line the streets of the city, but over the years there's been a slow demise, and many have been forced to shut up shop.

Hardware stores with historic origins like Harts, Genders and Cleavers have ceased to exist, and department stores like Ludbrooks and McKinlay's are no more.

Both were household names in Launceston, with McKinlay's origins dating back to 1886 — but they were the last of Launceston's family-owned department stores to close, in 1984.

Grocery store Ingles, in the city's Quadrant Mall, is also long gone, and dozens of corner store shops in the city have disappeared.

'The town is being hollowed out'

Eric Ratcliff from the Launceston Historical Society said the businesses made a significant contribution to the city and region.

"They were enormously important," he said.

"The money they made came into the town and didn't disappear to shareholders somewhere else.

Not only did the businesses have an economic impact on the city, but they also contributed to the streetscape and heritage of Launceston.

Many of the buildings still exist and are being used as national retailers or offices, but some remain vacant.

Dr Ratcliff said they helped make the city vibrant when they were flourishing.

"The CBD was much livelier than it is now," he said.

"On an ordinary weekday it looked about what it does on a football weekend on Saturday."

He said the growth of multinational companies and big-box developments has hurt family-run businesses in the city, and larger corporations have become more prominent.

"The town is being hollowed out by having just big boxes selling everything instead of Harts for hardware and Greens for hardware and Cleavers," Dr Ratcliff said.

Adapting to change

Some family businesses that have been around for a long time have survived, but have had to adapt to a changing society to try and stay relevant.

Robert Luck runs Allgoods, which has been in his family for more than 70 years.

"We first started selling army surplus, army disposals and from that we've progressed into clothing, footwear, camping and outdoor products," he said.

"It was started basically by my uncle, and I actually started here in 1978 so I've been here for about 43 years now and I was able to buy the business in 1990."

He said the business has had to change over the years to continue being viable.

"We use more technology, we have a different point of sales system, we have computerised stock control," Mr Luck said.

"We are also a reasonably solid online business as well as being a bricks and mortar business so we're trying to be the best of both worlds.

"We've won a few battles and we've lost a few over the years, we've opened stores and we've had to close them if they haven't performed, but you need to move on."

Mr Luck's son, Sam, is the company's succession plan.

"It's over 75 years old and I'm the third generation involved in it now," Sam said.

"It is definitely a very important part of us, it's been successful and hopefully I can continue to make it successful."

Demise of businesses a sign of the times

Gourlay's Sweet Shop has been producing confectionary in Launceston since 1896.

The business was sold by the Gourlay family in the 1970s, but has continued to be operated by the Wood family ever since.

"We would be very foolish to change the name because Gourlay is very well known to Tasmanians," owner Michael Wood said.

He said they also have to work hard at staying relevant.

"Number one importance is customer relations and presentation to the customer," Mr Wood said.

"Secondly a good quality product is important.

He said it's a sign of the times to see the demise of many family-run businesses.

"We are not exempt from the hard times like COVID which has been pretty tough, but it's a matter of keeping your finger on the pulse of your costs and making sure you can keep on top of that because it will soon slip away from you."

Andrew Pitt, who manages Neil Pitt's menswear in Brisbane Street said family-owned businesses remain important in the city.

He said his business and another long-standing menswear store, Routleys, have been able to survive for decades when many other shops have gone under.

"I don't know whether it speaks to the fact that men like shopping in stores rather than online or that personal service," Mr Pitt said.

"Things have changed over the years of course but the core proposition is still the same, it's still very much an offering of great service and quality clothing."

Only time will tell how many family-run businesses in the city will remain in the future.