John Forsyth & Company

John Forsyth & Company sold clothes and drapery in Queen Street, Brisbane before they entered the Ipswich market in 1886, trading here for only a few years.  After purchasing Thomas Boyle's stock of fabrics and clothing when that business went broke, John Forsyth & Co. opened in early June 1886 in O'Sullivan's Building, opposite the Australian Joint Stock Bank, in Brisbane Street. 

In the 19th century, draper shops stocking fabrics and haberdashery were common as sewing of clothes and linens was most often performed in the home by female members of the house. Buying ready-made clothing was relatively less common although tailors and seamstresses were still in demand for men's suits and wedding dresses for those members of the community who could afford the service.

John Forsyth & Co.'s history in Ipswich is intertwined with another firm: that of Parlane & Fisher who were also drapers. By January 1887, Parlane & Fisher were advertising a clearing sale and wanting employees. They had apparently taken over John Forsyth & Co's stock and shop in Brisbane Street, opposite Australian Joint Stock Bank. That year they sold English blankets and flannels, cashmeres, merinos, and wool dress fabrics too.

In June 1889, only eighteen months later, J. M. Parlane renounced his involvement in the firm and the business reverted to John Forsyth & Company. To celebrate this change in ownership a clearing sale of drapery and men's wear was held. John Forsyth & Co. advertised themselves as tailors, drapers, milliners and direct importers, and then staged another monster sale to clear fire damaged stock following a fire in their premises in O'Sullivan's Building on 6 July.

Two years went by and John Forsyth & Co. announced their intention to retire from business with a final winding up sale where all stock was to be sold. All debts became due and the company disappeared from the Ipswich scene.