Engel Sypkes
Encyclopedia
Engel Sypkes was an Australia
n businessman from the Netherlands
who migrated to Tasmania
in 1951.
In 1951, Engel, his wife Ann and their three children migrated from Holland amid new threats of war in Europe.
They came by plane on the same flight as the Vos family, who established the Roelf Vos
supermarket chain in northern Tasmania.
Shortly after arriving in Tasmania the family opened a small general store in Stanley
. After a trip to the United States
Sypkes was exposed to 'Modern Merchandising Methods'. Shortly after his return to Tasmania he opened their first Purity
supermarket in Hobart
in 1958.
Before its sale to Woolworths in 1981 his supermarket chain encompassed sixteen stores throughout southern Tasmania.
In 1990 his sons Rudie
and Peter launched the Chickenfeed Bargain Stores, a chain of discount retail stores located throughout Tasmania.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n businessman from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
who migrated to Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
in 1951.
In 1951, Engel, his wife Ann and their three children migrated from Holland amid new threats of war in Europe.
They came by plane on the same flight as the Vos family, who established the Roelf Vos
Roelf Vos
Roelf Vos was a wealthy Tasmanian businessman who, amongst other achievements, established a supermarket chain carrying his name initially in Launceston, but later expanded throughout the whole of northern Tasmania. The equivalent in the south of the state was Purity Supermarkets.Vos initially...
supermarket chain in northern Tasmania.
Shortly after arriving in Tasmania the family opened a small general store in Stanley
Stanley, Tasmania
Stanley is a town on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia. Travelling west, Stanley is the second-last major township on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Smithton being the larger township in the Circular Head municipality...
. After a trip to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Sypkes was exposed to 'Modern Merchandising Methods'. Shortly after his return to Tasmania he opened their first Purity
Woolworths Limited
Woolworths Limited is a major Australian company with extensive retail interest throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is the:* largest retail company in Australia and New Zealand by market capitalisation and sales...
supermarket in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
in 1958.
Before its sale to Woolworths in 1981 his supermarket chain encompassed sixteen stores throughout southern Tasmania.
In 1990 his sons Rudie
Rudie Sypkes
Rudie Sypkes was an Australian businessman from Tasmania. Sypkes was the co-founder of the Chickenfeed retail chain....
and Peter launched the Chickenfeed Bargain Stores, a chain of discount retail stores located throughout Tasmania.