Confident that Canberra offered excellent prospects for expansion, Cusacks acquired a lease in the Manuka Shopping Centre at its first sale and opened a Showroom for business on March 1st, 1928.

Manuka at that time was a rural lease with unmade roads; indeed sheep used to graze right up to the shop door.

During these early years, Cusacks pursued every opportunity to buy goods at the keenest of prices. In order to bypass the middle man, Cusacks imported Manchester, Crockery, Carpets and Linoleum direct from England with shipments arriving every three months. In 1929, they began manufacturing Lounges and Bedding from locally supplied raw materials with springs, filling and coverings being imported from England, France and Belgium.

They even invested in their own transport trucks. Via these measures, Cusacks were able to maintain quality whilst ensuring prices remained ultra competitive.