Groceries such as tea, dates, flour and sugar were brought in bulk and butter came in barrels. A special tin-lined room was made for keeping flour, sugar and other items free from vermin. As no refrigeration was available in the early days, bacon was bought in sides and hung from the ceiling, until the advent of ice chests. (Modern refrigeration was introduced well after World War II).

In the 1930s and 1940s, orders were collected and delivered by horse and cart (and later by truck) from Forster two days a week and Tuncurry three days a week. The 'paddock' for Betsy, one of the horses used in those days, was the present Point Road and surrounding land.

At about this time there were four women and six men employed full-time in the shop and the working week was a long one. 'The Shop' as the locals called it, opened from 7.30 am for 'breakfast sales', reopened at 9 am closing at 6 pm on weekdays. On Saturdays the shop was opened from 7.30 am to 1 pm and on Sunday some customers would call to do their week's shopping.

During the 'dole years' of the Depression, the shop was under contract by the Government to supply food coupons. In the Depression years the shop helped many locals by allowing ample credit for those in need until times were better – many of them then supporting the shop until the end of their days.

John Wright and Co. were the first to sell 'Benzine' in Tuncurry, firstly in four gallon cans which were stored in a specially erected and locked tin shed on the waterfront. Later 'benzine' was sold at three bowsers in front of the shop. These were the first petrol bowsers in Tuncurry.

The shop remained a family business since John Wright first opened it. His son, Harry Wright, managed it for many years until his death and his grandson, Bruce Wright, managed the store until it closed in 1980. He had worked at the shop in 1938 when he was fifteen. The shop has since been demolished.