The Beehive Store

Scottish born Andrew Thomson was a baker by trade but after arriving in Taree in the mid 1850s he was encouraged to become a school teacher. Having taught at The Bight, Woolla and Ghinni he retired in 1872 to buy a bakery on the corner of Victoria and Pulteney Streets, Taree. The business grew and in 1881 he erected a two storey wooden shop called “The Beehive Store”.¹

The following year, Andrew died unexpectedly on a shopping trip to Sydney aged just 48 years.² His widow Catherine, who had nine children, took over the ownership and management of the store and business flourished.³

In 1905, the largest fire in Taree’s history started next door and completely destroyed the department store along with Donnelly’s Red Colonnade Store and the Royal Hotel.⁴

Undeterred, Catherine rebuilt in brick and included a residence for the family. Part of the building opened in 1906 while the rest was completed in 1907. On the ground floor were soft furnishings, groceries and boots, while up a central staircase to the second floor were bulk goods, hardware and crockery.⁵

In 1916, at the age of 81 years, Catherine registered the business “Thomson’s Ltd” with a capital of £20,000 and shares of £1 each. She was the Chair of the Board of Directors which comprised her four sons John, William, Alexander and Andrew.⁶ Following her death in 1917,⁷ her son William took over the management of the store until the shop closed in 1935. William received a King’s Jubilee Medal in recognition of his family’s role in the commercial life of the district.⁸

The Beehive Store remains an iconic building in Taree’s CBD paying tribute to the formidable business woman of Catherine Thomson.

Author: Janine Roberts