ONE of the most historic addresses in inland Victoria's most historic town is on the market.

And in a quirky combination of early commerce and contemporary convenience, the Harrow general store's freehold sale includes a liquor licence granted in 1881 and which has eluded almost 130 years of ongoing legislative overhaul.

    KOLMAR HOUSE
  • HARROW
  • Property: licensed general store with three-bedroom home
  • Sale: private
  • Price: $320,000 plus SAV
  • Agent:Thomas DeGaris & Clarkson
  • Contact: Robert Handbury, 0429 131 186

Settled in the early 1840s, and regarded as the state's first inland township (although it was part of the colony of NSW when the first bricks were being laid), Harrow today is a time capsule embracing its colourful history.

Located an hour from Hamilton to the south, Horsham to the north and Naracoorte across the border in South Australia, the general store (Kolmar House) has been the town's only store since it was built.

Tucked away behind the shelves and counters there is also a beautifully maintained two-storey, three-bedroom home.

As the town's only grocery shop Kolmar House has a loyal and well established client base, providing it with groceries, fresh meat and vegetables, alcohol (licence is transferable), plumbing, hardware and farm supplies.

Although small, Harrow makes up for its lack of size with its enthusiasm and innovation.

Set on the Glenelg River, the picturesque town includes a garage, hotel, bush nurse, bank, car museum, Johnny Mullagh Cricket Centre, post office, cafe, caravan park, football, netball, tennis, golf club, angling club, CFA, Lions, quilters club, all major churches, Red Cross, RSL and the Harrow Promotional and Development Group.

There is also a school bus to two schools (primary to year 12).

But one of its most successful recent incarnations is the Harrow Sound and Light Show, where the townsfolk band together to stage a night-time re-creation of colonial life circa 1850.

Launched in 1996 as an educational and tourism opportunity, the show has since entertained thousands of visitors, offering, as close as possible, a "hands on" (but light-hearted) experience of life in the mid-1800s.

Harrow Historical Society secretary and researcher Marj Quigley said the store was built by four Rosenthal brothers.

She said one of them was based in Melbourne as the buyer, one travelled the district with a wagon of goods as its salesman, one ran the store and sadly, the fourth died after being kicked in the head by a horse in Hamilton.

"You could get anything in that store, and we still have some of the goods sold there in the 1880s," Ms Quigley said.

"It wasn't just food and drink, you could get furniture, crockery, haberdashery, they had it all," she said.

"They used to buy their whisky in bulk and rebottle.

"We still have demi-johns with the Rosenthal name on them."

Current owner Leah Offord, who is selling after 10 years behind the counter in Harrow and more than 20 years in retail with three stores, has bought a cottage in town and is staying put.

"I love this place, and have loved the business, where my customers have become my friends," Ms Offord said.

"There are so many families here where I am serving the great, great, great-grandchildren of those who originally did business with the Rosenthals."

Ms Offord said the store, which features the original timber counter installed by the Rosenthals, has undergone renovations over the years - the most recent being the replacement of its refrigeration.