S. A. Nichol & Son, Practical Tailors

Samuel Nichol learned his trade whilst living in Scotland, after leaving Ireland. In about 1886, he emigrated to Australia and obtained employment with John Forsyth & Co. after arriving in Ipswich. When J. M. Parlane, Forsyth's manager and former partner in the firm of Parlane & Fisher, left to open his own tailoring establishment in 1889, Samuel Nichol (a cutter) went with him. At some stage (probably c1892), Samuel's son Alex Nichol also joined the company and together they worked for Parlane for many years  before opening S. A. Nichol & Son on Thursday 8 March 1906. 

S. A. Nichol & Son, Practical Tailors were located in Brisbane Street, opposite the Queensland Times. Although their business premises did change over the years, J. A. Nichol & Son remained more or less just opposite the Queensland Times in Brisbane Street. Requiring more space in 1909-10 following a successful year of trading and in order to add men's mercery to their business offering, the firm moved to the former premises of A. S. Foster the stationer, and next door to S. Palmer. This location was still opposite the Queensland Times.  Then, in 1915 the business moved upstairs in Bostock's new building. This was still across the road from the Queensland Times. 

In 1912, the Nichols came to a parting of the ways with Alex establishing himself elsewhere in Brisbane Street while Samuel continued to use the established name of S. A. Nichol & Son until 1917.  The name of the firm then fades from view possibly owing to the ill-health and retirement of Samuel Nichol.