Herbert Foxlee came to Charters Towers from Manor Farm, Ayot, Hertfordshire, with his brothers in 1880, and opened a general store and wine merchants a few years later. By 1904 his store was so successful it had outgrown its location opposite the Hospital in Gill Street, so he had a larger store purpose-built on the corner of Gill and High Streets. Foxlee's remained in that location until after Herbert's death in 1949, winding up a few years later.

Foxlee's store sold everything: wine, tea, coffee, groceries, homewares, gifts, furnishings, clothing... everything but the kitchen sink! He also offered a delivery service, and his carts could often be seen travelling the streets. His service was impeccable, and Herbert's children all worked in the store at some point before going off to make their own livings.

Around the time he opened his grand new store in 1904, Herbert and his wife Florence purchased a beautiful villa home located just behind the store on Hodgkinson Street, naming it Ay Ot Lookout after his home parish. He and Florence and their five children Herbert Walter, Florence Ada, John Roland, Thomas Arthur and Charles Ernest lived there, with the house remaining in the family until the 1950s.