Founded in 1901 by Irish immigrants Francis McDonnell and Hubert East, “Mac & East” was a large department store in Brisbane which had started business as a drapers. This building was known as the White Store and you can still see in ornamental relief lettering between the first and second storey windows the various departments of the store; “Crockery, Furniture, Bedding, Drapers, Outfitters, Tailors, Importers, Mercers, Dressmakers, Milliners.”