This business was located on north side of Tay Street, on the south-eastern corner of the Lowther Arcade, in a building known as Criterion House. It was first known as H. Hoad & Co (see photo S2750002_007) and they were trading from the time the Lowther Arcade was built – 1863. The amazing array of stock hanging in and around the shop can probably be identified from the advertisement in the Invercargill Times in September 1863. William Lewis bought the business a year later in September 1864.

William Lewis moved from Tay Street to Dee Street in 1872 and went into partnership with Henry Reed. The business was known as Lewis and Reed. In March 1875, the business was destroyed in the Great Dee Street fire and William Lewis and Henry Reed were heavy losers. They continued trading from the upstairs floor of the Exchange Hall. In November of the same year, new premises were opened where the old had stood and the business continued until September 1879 when the partnership was dissolved and William Lewis continued on his own account.

See bibliography for sources