diff --git a/flask/backend.py b/flask/backend.py
index 31b318d..444174e 100644
--- a/flask/backend.py
+++ b/flask/backend.py
@@ -197,9 +197,9 @@ def post():
                 stores = fetchStores()
                 if not stores: abort(404)
                 store = stores[0]
-                ###
-                ### HERE WE NEED TO CHECK IF ITEM ALREADY EXISTS
-                ###
+                # check for existence of duplicate item
+                found = fetchItems(store)
+                if (found): abort(409)
                 # let's create the record
                 item = {
                     'name': request.args['itemName'],