rockhampton's early merchants and storekeepers operated as independent, locally based businesses. the first wave of these entrepreneurs, attracted to the area by the promise of gold at nearby canoona, opened their stores in the late 1850s. a second wave arrived in the 1860s. some operated in partnerships. by the late 19th century, commerce in rockhampton was very competitive with up to twenty-seven separate firms providing services such as shipping, mercantile or stock and station agents. notable in merchandising during the 1880s were john m headrick & co., ek ogg, alex. reid & co. and wg thompson & co. the independence of these firms, supported strongly by local manufacture of ironmongery, timber joinery and items such as soap and cordial, was a reflection of the self-sufficiency that rockhampton's community leaders expressed politically through a concurrent movement towards secession.