David Evans & Co Ltd, Swansea was founded in 1900 by Soloman Andrews, a prominent Cardiff businessman, his son Francis Emile Andrews and well-known local draper David Evans. The business opened in premises on the site of the old Theatre Royal which were built by a company belonging to Soloman Andrews and leased to David Evans & Co Ltd. David Evans & Co Ltd bought the building in 1907 and extended the ground floor during 1908 and 1909. David Evans was the first Managing Director of the company, but after the difficult years during the First World War he became disillusioned with business and in 1919 he resigned his position and sold his shares.
The store was completely destroyed during an air raid on 21 February 1941and the company traded from temporary leased premises for the duration of the war. It was not until 1954 that the new building was opened on the same site as the old one. By this time Goat Street had been widened and modernised and renamed Princess Way. Temple Street was now a pedestrianised shopping street.
Connection type: David Evans & Co Ltd was acquired by House of Fraser Ltd in 1971.