There's no other store like David Jones to its founding family

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If David Jones doesn't survive, a near two-century legacy would be wiped out, now the family of the store's founder are revealing their fondest memories.

More than 60 years ago, two young siblings were front and centre at a jam-packed opening ceremony in Sydney's west, as the department store founded by their great-great-grandfather, David Jones, expanded into Sydney's suburbs.

An estimated 4,000 people gathered outside the building in Parramatta, trying to catch a glimpse of seven-year-old Susanna de Vienne cutting the ribbon inside.

Looking back, Ms de Vienne recalls being "overwhelmed" seeing the crowd.

"I remember coming in … and people were just glued to the door," she told 7.30.

A photo of the historic moment shows the little girl and her younger brother Charles E Lloyd Jones surrounded by eager faces peering through the glass doors.

Decades on, a receiver for David Jones has confirmed the Parramatta store is one of 19 on the chopping block amid a restructure.

Administrator McGrath Nicol is now racing to find a buyer and hoping the "urgent restructure" will save the iconic 188-year-old brand.

Speaking before the restructure was announced, Ms de Vienne told 7.30 she felt sad for David Jones staff after the company entered voluntary administration last week.

But she hoped the retailer — which was owned or run by her family for more than 140 years — would be rebuilt as "David Jones 2.0".

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