Set on several floors, it specialized in men's casual clothing, camping gear and novelty items.
In 1863, John Gowing opened a drapery business in Crown Street, East Sydney, New South Wales.
He entered into partnership on 4 November 1868 with his brother Preston Robert Gowing, who had been working as a storekeeper in Victoria.
They set up the Mercery and Glove Depot, at 318 George Street, which John managed for £200 per annum plus half the profits of the business.
Attempts to sell the business were unsuccessful and the last remaining Gowings store was the one in George Street, Sydney, which closed its doors at 5:23pm on 29 January 2006.