On March 1st 1935, Maurice Markovitz bought the present Commercial Road premises from Tideswell and Miller's Dale Coal and General Merchant’s Company Ltd for £1,200, meaning that he was able to branch out into supplying hardware and building materials adding to his then bicycle and repair business. From humble beginnings, the Markovitz group now encompasses twenty-two depots, covering the majority of the UK, from the Highlands of Scotland to Cornwall, with plans for further branches to open. The group includes two luxury kitchen and bathroom showrooms and two specialist stove and cooker showrooms. Markovitz also boasts its very own two AA-rosette awarded restaurant The Merchant’s Yard, based in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Much has changed in the last 86 years. Yet, like so many truly independent merchants, Markovitz remains a family-owned and run business, and we are sure that Maurice would be proud of all that we have achieved together.