145-163 Smith Street, Fitzroy

This is the site of the former Foy and Gibson’s Department Store. “Mark Foy opened a drapery store on this site on Smith Street in 1870. Foy modelled his store after the luxurious Parisian department store Le Bon Marche, and this exotic, modern style of shopping helped fuel the success of the business. In 1883, the store was renamed Foy and Gibson after Mark Foy’s son Francis entered into a partnership with Sydney retailer William Gibson, and their focus on expanded range and innovative practices made them into a household name even through the depression of the 1890s. As their store expanded, Foy and Gibson expanded their flagship premises, with a specialised “women’s store” located on the Western side of Smith street, which was connected to the eastern store by an underground tunnel running under Smith St. Not only a dominant Collingwood presence, Foy and Gibson stores became known nationally through their pioneering of hand-illustrated catalogues and a home delivery service, run out of the factories at Wellington St.” – Lauren Piko – Yarra Past Port