Here in History – H. & J. Friend’s Store

 Henry Friend (Snr) became one of the most prominent men in the early settlement of Gladstone as he and his descendants built an administration from a small general store. From a humble start of a general store in Toolooa Street, Henry (Snr) soon changed premises and built-up trade on the banks of Auckland Creek. Henry (Snr) operated his Victoria Store into an institution before two sons, Henry (Jnr) and James, started their firm of H. and J. Friend.  

Later these two sons relocated into Gladstone’s main shopping area, introducing the foundation of Friends Department Store. Many members of the Friend family worked in the store and management was passed down the generations. For 116 years the Friend families served not only the public of Gladstone and district but also the whole of Central Queensland. The store was destroyed by fire in 1938, but it was back to business as usual when a much larger store was again built on the same site. Friends finally closed in 1978.