Commercial House

Commercial House was the name of an early drapery and clothing business in Ipswich. It sold general drapery, millinery, underclothes, men's mercery, and ready-made clothing. It was owned and conducted by James Richey & Co. for 35 years.

Initially, in 1884 the business was located in Brisbane Street in a timber building on the site now occupied by Bostock & Sons' brick building, and  opposite the old Queensland Times office. In December 1884 when Commercial House opened there was a blacksmith next door on the corner of Ellenborough Street.

About 1891, Richey moved the business to a property near the North Star Hotel owned by Mr Brady. Around 1898 Commercial House moved again to another property three doors away that was owned by Menzies & Rose (and subsequently by Menzies and J. P. Bottomley.) Commercial House remained at this location for the next 20 years, opposite St Paul's Church. 

Within a few years, Richey's business was selling blankets, hosiery, braces, tea cloths, handkerchiefs, handbags, antimony ware, pin trays and Little Lamington tie bows. There was also a dressmaking department. Due to increased demand a brick building was erected at the back of the store in 1898 to house a fitting room, and workroom for dressmakers and milliners. 

Richey & Co. would also tender for the supply of nurses uniforms for the Ipswich hospital.

In August 1919 Commercial House was sold to Sydney Fifer, and Richey retired. Fifer's later became Bayards.