Australian Stores

On arriving in Ipswich (c.1849-1850) Henry Martin Reeve partnered with Messrs. Platt & Crossland, drapers. Around 1853-1855 the partnership was dissolved and Reeve carried on the business.  His drapery, named Australian Stores was established in East Street, just opposite Union Street. Following this, the business moved to the corner of Brisbane & Bell Streets where Cribb & Foote would later stand.

Henry Martin Reeve was one of the earliest drapers of Ipswich and at one time was a tenant of the first brick building erected in Basin Pocket. He also became well known across the state as a commercial traveller.

In 1861 Australian Stores sold clothes, hats, fabrics, parasols and novelties. Reeve was supervisor and proprietor of the store. After end-of-season sales, Reeve would hold public auctions to clear remaining stock. 

H. M. Reeve sold out to Cribb & Foote sometime after their change in ownership from Benjamin to Robert Cribb which occurred c1859. Following this sale Reeve appears to maintain his own drapery establishment in Ipswich for some years whilst also being a traveling salesman. 

From late 1863 Henry Reeve drops usage of the name Australian Stores and simply refers to his business as H. M. Reeve. At this time, his store is still located at the corner of Brisbane and Bell Streets selling mantles, shawls, and bonnets, dress fabrics and menswear.  He was described as an "outfitter and hosier", tailor and woolen draper.  In April 1863 he won the tender to supply uniforms for the Queensland Voluntary Rifle Brigade.

In May 1863 the Australian Joint Stock Bank opened on the opposite corner of Bell Street to Australian Stores. 

At the beginning of 1864 H. M. Reeve moved to a temporary location at S. P. Welsby's (commission agent) in Nicholas Street, next to Given's watchmaking business. This move may have been related to the property sale to Cribb & Foote. From about this time the history of the business of H. M. Reeve is unclear although Reeve continued as a commercial traveler until his death in 1906, at which time he was a representative for Qld Woollen Co. 

On 2nd November 1915 however, a new Australian Stores opened in Nicholas Street. It is described as a cash drapery for men and women selling coats, millinery, skirts, lingerie, blouses, frocks and suits. At the end of 1920 the business closed due to the retirement of D. M. Gallagher. In January 1921 Jackson & Meyers held a clearing auction.

D. M. Gallagher and his wife lived at Cremona and in F. W. Whitehouse's residence on Chermside Road, East Ipswich. 

H. M. Reeve built Rosemount (c.1872), 19 Burnett Street, Sadliers Crossing. He was also known in the 1860s for agistment of horses in his paddocks at Rhossili.