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John McCabe first left County Monaghan at sometime prior to his
departure from London 12 December 1889, arriving in Australia 5
February 1890 as a "Trade Labourer" having learnt his trade from his
father Bernard ( Bernard's father was Patrick also believed to be a Tailor) in Ireland. He first worked for Overells in the Valley, and in 1897 formed a partnership - McCabe & Twomey - with Mr. M. Twomey, a well-known Brisbane tailor, until the establishment of McCabe Bros. in 1899.
Information at Qld State Archives indicates that McCabe Bros. was a registered tailoring business from 1899-1930. McCabe Bros. first
tailoring shop appears to have opened in 1900 at Gill Street, Charters Towers. The business address changed to "next door to Sheridan and McAlisters in Gill Street" on 2 April 1902, presumably on their return from Ireland. The Charters Towers operation ceased on 30 July 1907.
On 30 July 1907, McCabe Bros. commenced their tailoring business at the corner of Wickham & Warren Sts, Fortitude Valley and continued trading from these premises until 1920. In 1919 they opened at 297 Queen Street in the City, but this outlet also closed at the same time as the Wickham & Warren Sts location. From 1921 until 1924 they traded out of Duncan Street, Fortitude Valley, and the photograph of the 4 brothers is outside these premises. In 1924 the Brothers moved again to 70
Wickham St, Fortitude Valley, and then finally in 1929 when they traded from "Judges Chambers", Wickham St, Fortitude Valley.
The Registrar of Firms made the following notation on 14 November 1931: This firm ceased to exist during 1930. No notice of closure or fee 2s/6d was received. Hugh McCabe died early in 1931. CPS [Clerk of Petty Sessions] instructed to note his records accordingly.
Sometime prior to 1911, the "McCabe Bros.", Hugh and James, travelled to Seattle USA to investigate special tailoring techniques. The innovation they brought back to Brisbane for their unique suitcoat design was "The American Oval Shoulder" as promoted in their advertising.
Although the tailoring business was city-based, McCabe Bros. also offered a regional service by frequently travelling to various outlying areas. Other registered tailoring outlets were: Bourbong St, Bundaberg (12 Sept. 1914 - 31 Jan. 1916); Edith St, Innisfail (1 July 1929-1930).
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