Berryman's Store

Statement of Significance

Berryman’s Store has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: It is one of a group of houses/buildings in the historically important Vancouver Street that have heritage value both individually and as part of a streetscape. It has landmark value with its elevation corner location, with the Store addressing both Vancouver and Melville Streets. The place is associated with the Berryman family, in particular brothers Lionel and Max, who had a long history in the commercial services industry in Albany. The place is important having operated as a local store/café continuously since it opened in 1934 and being a hub and gathering place for the local residents as well as nearby workers including from the Woollen Mills and the Hospital/Arts centre.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Prominent corner location • Timber weatherboard to dado and flat cement sheeting above • Hipped corrugated iron roof • Corrugated iron apron (Colorbond) • Return verandah with separate verandah with timber posts and balustrade • Timber joinery to windows and doors Some obvious modifications include: • External colour scheme • Rear addition/verandah infill

History

The corner block on Vancouver and Melville Streets was vacant land in 1932 (rate books) however by 1934 it was listed as having a house and shop. There is much recorded in the Albany Advertiser of A F Berryman of Berryman’s Newsagent in Stirling Terrace and dozens of articles praising Lionel Berryman’s cycling prowess and quite a number also noting his brother, Max Berryman’s, involvement in St John’s Ambulance. In advertisements, the Berryman’s Store is referred to as a place to drop off your dry Cleaning or for ordering a load of firewood. It was also a grocers and an approved depot for collection “food for Britain” during the war. Lionel joined the army while Max stayed and ran the Store, and eventually returned home and went back to running the store with his brother. In the 1950s, it was a real hub as a lunch bar for staff working locally, including the hospital (in Vancouver Street), Worsted Woollen Mills (in Mill Street) and Hunt’s Fish Cannery. In 2019 it functions as a café.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update