Duncalfe's Menswear

David S. Carter and Frank E. Carter of Carter  & Duncalfe commenced operations in Brisbane Street, Ipswich in 1917/1918. Their premises were located opposite St Paul's Anglican Church and near the North Star Hotel, in the former Miss Nolan's newsagency.  This was a very small venue so over the next 5 years they gained frontage as the business expanded into some small adjoining shops. Three shops located between their original store and Bayards were taken over including: Singer Sewing Machine Co., Goldstines Jewellers, and T. Crozier's piano & radio dealership. They also expanded into the shop on the other side  formerly occupied by  Costin and Bourke who were small goods purveyors.

By 1923 Carter & Duncalfe employed 16 assistants. In 1926 a separate room for tailoring was added  at the back of the store, and a workroom upstairs.

The store sold men's shirts, suits, ties, collars, hats, underwear and shoes. In 1921 women's shoes only were added to stock. Later boyswear was also added. 

Instead of being the sole owner, in 1922 D. S. Carter decided to sell shares in the business to Francis Duncalfe, Francis E. Duncalfe, William LeMass, Herbert Mayne, Colin Mackay and Herbert C. Reeve. 

Business manager William LeMass was very active in local sporting clubs with Carter & Duncalfe providing trophies to several local sporting groups, particularly during the 1920s. LeMass left Carter & Duncalfe in 1925 to open his own mercery called The Toggery Shop in Brisbane Street in premises vacated by the National Bank of Australia and which were next to Jackson & Meyers.

In June 1933 Carter & Duncalfe went into voluntary liquidation. The liquidators continued to trade from Carter & Duncalfe's original shop with the 3 adjoining shops between there and Bayards  being unused.  In October of that year Frank E. Duncalfe acquired the business and it became known locally as Duncalfe's. 

It is not known when Duncalfe's ceased operating however Duncalfe & Co. were still trading in March 1978.

In earlier times James Brady's drapery, and Thomas  Hugh Thomas's marble bar had been located where Duncalfe's was. In the early years of the 20th century (c1905) Mr and Mrs Woods were proprietors of the American Bar which occupied a portion of the premises eventually occupied by Carter & Duncalfe.