Christmas Shopping in Gympie – 1903

Over several years, articles about the offerings of Christmas Fare at various establishments in Gympie appeared in the newspapers and this allows us to take a look back and imagine walking in the shoes of our ancestors as they went about their shopping for festive season.   The following account appeared in The Gympie Times and Mary River Gazette on the 24th December 1903.  You can read the 1891 account here.

“Christmas Tide
Around’ the Shops.
AMONG OUR ADVERTISERS.
(Second Notice.)

Knights’ People’s Cash Store is a business of comparatively recent growth, having only been in existence for about twelve months. During this period, however, Mr. Knight has succeeded in working up an extensive connection. Christmas supplies are of course the leading nature of the trade just now and no pains have been spared to provide all classes of goods demanded by the housewife who believes in keeping up Christmas in the real old-fashioned way. The principal window contains samples of seasonable goods of the toothsome variety which are advantageously displayed, and inside the building is well stocked with everything that is required to make a Christmas table complete. Biscuits of which 30 different sorts are provided, confectionery, ready-made cakes and puddings, ingredients for those who prefer to make their own cakes and puddings, nuts, crystallized fruit, cordials, tinned fruit, hams, in fact everything that is regarded as necessary by the British, householder who is intent upon keeping up the gastronomical traditions of the race.; is here to hand and may be had in quantities large or small.

Mr. John Foster, being the local agent for Messrs. W. H. Paling and Co., has a splendid collection of their valuable instruments on view, in his neatly arranged showroom, it seems natural to step from the piano to the violin, and here it may he mentioned that both Mr. Foster and his sons are performers on this instrument and are thus able to point out its beauties or deficiencies as the case may be with a good deal more knowledge than a mere trader in this line. Of music a good collection is to be found here from cheap sheets to the latest songs and pieces published. This is the home also of the bicycle. Mr. Foster stocks ladies’ and gents’ machines, new and second hand, at prices to suit the pockets of any one desiring to be the owner of one of these modern steeds. In this line the intending purchaser has plenty of room to exercise his choice Mr. Foster being agent for the famous Massey Harris Co., whose; ma-chines are well known throughout Australia. In the ironmongery department, Mr. Foster carries a large and varied stock, which includes crockery ware, enamelware, tinware, brushware, hollowware, paints, etc. There is also a fine display of lines, hooks, spoon-baits, rods, reels, etc., on view in the window. Mr. Foster is local agent for the Princess Cream Separators and for the New Home Sewing Machine. In short Mr. Foster states that he supplies/everything, from a needle to an anchor, although he admits that he is out of anchors at present.

Following up the usual custom for the season of the year, E. Bytheway and Son are displaying fresh goods in their, various departments. In boots, and shoes the display is large and varied, and comprises, goods of all the European, American, and Australian makers, also their ‘own celebrated make.’ All classes of customers can he suited, from those who require the most dainty and delicate evening shoe to those who prefer the stoutest balmoral. The crockery and glassware departments are filled with, new designs and patterns. There are new shapes in dinner sets, tea services, toiletware, in fact every article used in a dwelling. The display of platedware is also large and varied. This line is made a special feature of the business and every article is guaranteed of good quality and of the best English manufacture. Bedsteads, bedding, and furniture are, now also being shown in the new showroom, where ironmongery, cream separators, and sewing machines are also on view. It is many years now since the foundation of this business, and the constant aim of the proprietors is to. give their patrons entire satisfaction in all their dealings. Mr. Wilday still occupies the premises adjoining Messrs. Ambrose and Asmussen, and here he may be consulted upon matters connected with his trade, which is that of a practical watchmaker and repairer.

Mr. J. Hood’s tailoring and gents’ outfitting establishment is one of the old firms of its kind on Gympie, dating -back to 1887. The aim of the proprietor is to study to please his customers and being a practical tradesman and one of the best cutters in the State his services are availed of by a large circle of constituents. In the windows of the establishment there is a fine display of hats, shirts, hosiery, etc., also some nice dressing cases suitable for Christmas presents. Those who contemplate holiday making during the next few weeks and require portmanteaux or Gladstone bags, should have little difficulty in finding what they require at this establishment.

Occupying a central position in Mary-street are the extensive . premises used by Mr. H. Brocker, who during the past twelve months has made important additions, to his business. Mr. Brocker is making a speciality of gentlemen’s footwear, not omitting running shoes, which should he in good demand, in view -of the popularity of sprinting at the present time. With the object of devoting himself entirely to the supply of male requirements, Mr. Brocker is clearing out several lines of ladies’ boots. The shop is evidently intended as a storehouse for sportsmen’s goods, for running suits, cricketing bats and balls, tennis bats and balls, and many other requisites are to be seen in great profusion. One of the windows is gay with a bewildering variety of ties, collars, and other male adornments, suitable for the season. Men’s shirts of all substances are also stocked, and the tailoring branch is by no means the least important department. Altogether the premises present a prosperous and businesslike aspect.

Mr. Kullerton’s commodious premises known as the ‘Olympic,’ are full to overflowing with goods of the sort that are needed at the festive as well as other seasons. The provision department is of course replete with delicacies of every description and on the drapery side new fabrics of artistic design meet the eye at every turn. The more solid necessaries of life, such as boots, ironmongery, cutlery, crockery, etc., arc not wanting. In fact, the ‘Olympic’ strikes one as being a universal emporium where all the wants of civilized man may he gratified.

Within the last month or so Messrs J. White and Co. have made extensive improvements to the front of their premises., More commodious windows have been put up. and a large showroom added in which may be seen an extensive display of furniture. The other windows .are devoted to Christmas groceries and toys respectively. In the grocery departments seasonable goods are heavily stocked in all the leading lines ; currants, raisins, lemon peel, and all those wonderful ingredients and compounds that when mixed undergo a metamorphosis and come out as puddings and cakes are here in unlimited quantities, The stock of toys is large and here, as in nearly every large business place in town; the children will have an almost unrestrained choice, providing of course that the purses of their parents are sufficiently deep. In addition to the special lines above alluded to, the store contains the usual quantity of useful articles, from a cooking range to a tooth brush or a clothes line. Mr.. Tiernan’s^ store is another addition to Mary-street, he having given up his former premises in Mellor street for this more centrally situated place of business.

Messrs. O’Neill and Davey, who occupy premises almost directly opposite, are also a firm who have come upon the scene within the last few months. Both establishments are replete with Christmas goods and, judging by appearances, both are doing a thriving business. Prominent also amongst the grocers and provision merchants of Mary-street is Mr. A. McDonald, whose establishment appears to be well stocked with Christmas supplies.

At the Co-operative Stores similar preparations have been made for the busy season and every department appears to share in the prevailing activity. The grocery window of this establishment presents a most attractive appearance. Of the stores outside Mary street, that of Messrs. S. Glasgow and Sons, at Red Hill, is a well-found, thriving centre. The firm is a very old established one, and its business extends all over the field. As might be expected Christmas requisites form a prominent feature of the stock, and the same briskness and activity is observable here as elsewhere. Christmas cheer is, in fact, the key note of the business at the present moment, and all the delectable eatables that are associated in the minds of young and old with the annual festival we are now celebrating are contained in this well conducted emporium.

Boots are boots whether it be Christmas, Easter, or Whitsuntide, and footwear does not lend itself to any more effective display at one season than it does at another. Mr. John Cass, of upper Mary-street, has, however, succeeded in making his windows specially attractive and not the least of the many sights of the town. On entering the premises one is immediately struck with the immense stock that occupies the shelves from floor to ceiling. Mr: Cass is spending his last Christmas in the shop he now occupies, which he avers is becoming too small for his expanding trade, and will in January next remove to the premises at present occupied by Mr. Felton and Miss Edwards, which are to be made into one large shop.

Mr. J. C. Dixon’s establishment is also one of the sights of the town and the shop is fairly packed with every conceivable sort of footwear, from the dainty little infant’s shoe barely large enough to admit the thumb of the average adult, up to the number nine hob-nailed footcase suitable for a railway navvy. Between these two extremes there is an infinite variety of classes, makes, and sizes, and it is difficult to imagine anyone, no matter how strange his or her taste, having to leave the premises without finding what they require.

Messrs. Aspinall, Kelly, and Soblusky, of lower, and mid-Mary-street, have one and all varied stocks for customers to select from. The former, announces special lines in ladies’ bar shoes and fancy strap shoes, also .in men’s kangaroo welted boots, and infant’s shoes. The various refreshment rooms, fruit shops, and confectioners have: the usual fine displays of goods. It is only a few weeks ago that we drew attention to the improvements made to Mr. Menadue’s premises. These are now stocked heavily with the best make of sweetmeats and seasonable fruit in readiness for the brisk demand that is inevitable at this time of the year.. The shop of Mr. Anderson, at the corner of Monkland and Mary streets, has also been specially arranged and presents a most enticing aspect, the toy window having a special attraction for the children. Further up the street, next to the Queen’s Hotel, Mrs. Thompson has had her fine brick premises thoroughly renovated and tastefully arranged for the Christmas season and both the top and bottom floors are now available for the use of customers. A Christmas tree, which will no doubt be hugely enjoyed by the youngsters, has been given a room to itself on the top floor, and from its branches hang innumerable toys.

Mr. Dobson, at the lower end of the street, has a fine display of first-class confectionery and fruit, and his window is the continual admiration of wide-eyed expectant boys and girls. Almost opposite Mr Carstens has a most tempting show of fruit, pastry, and confectionery, and the arrangement of the windows and the interior of the shop is indicative of considerable skill and taste.

A few yards further down the street is the famous American Bar, spick and span, – and fresh looking.; Here those who are afflicted with the great Australian thirst, but’ who draw the line at alcoholic liquors, may satisfy their appetite without any danger of contracting corkscrew legs. Messrs. Juhl & Son, coach and carriage builders, wheelwrights and general blacksmiths, are another very old Gympie firm. Though Christmas decorations and specialities do not come within the scope of their business, they, in common with all other, tradespeople, share directly or indirectly in the increased activity of the busy season. The firm having earned the reputation of turning out firstclass work in every department and their principle being that they are not satisfied unless their customers are, is productive of the best results for all parties.

W. and P. Ryan’s saddlery establishment is another firm that is founded upon the rock of a good reputation. The business does not admit of special decorations, because the products of the trade are the same the whole year round. Nevertheless it is a fact that many people very often make a point of renewing such useful articles as saddles and other products of this trade at Christmas time, and as a result the firm finds full scope for all its energies.

Messrs. Ambrose and Asmussen have their commodious premises well stocked with furniture, toiletware, picture mouldings, and many other accessories, both ornamental, and useful. Rattan and bamboo furniture is also included in the above and those who are desirous of decorating their homes may find something to their taste in lacquer work and Japanese vases, some very elegant samples of which are on view. The assortment of picture mouldings is large and well selected and affords ample choice for those who wish to adorn their homes with the Christmas pictures.”

 Story compiled by Kathy Punter

Sources:  Trove; GFHS Record Collection;