Shop, 95-97 Victoria Street

Statement of Significance

Cafe Bean, 95-97 Victoria Street, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • The place is representative of the many small business premises that were established to serve the varied needs of the Bunbury community and surrounding rural districts during the first half of the twentieth century. • The readily available evidence suggests that these were part of a group of 4 shops constructed for Mary Haycox in c.1906-1908. In this context, the surviving original fabric provides evidence about the contribution of local business-women to the early development of the town centre. • The places architectural detailing, although modified, positively contributes to the Victoria Street streetscape.

Physical Description

Cafe Bean, 95-97 Victoria Street, is a single storey adjoined masonry building with a concealed roof displaying characteristics of the Federation Free Classical style of architecture. The building has a symmetrical form consisting of two adjoined tenancies sharing a single parapet roof. The parapet has two raised pediments above each tenancy. The pediments have rendered cornice detailing and a central vermiculated finish. The parapet has a central pilaster with additional pilasters at either end. The pilasters have a vermiculated rendered finish. The shops have an awning across the front facade that is supported by square timber posts. Formerly two tenancies, the shops are now combined to form a single tenancy. The main entry is through number 97 with a timber framed glazed door. The front facade has horizontal rows of retractable timber framed windows. The footpath and road verge are utilised for alfresco dining with a steel framed pergola structure installed.

History

At the beginning of the 1890s, Bunbury had a population of only 572. By the end of that decade, the population had risen to 2,970 – reflecting the rate of increase experienced by the colony as a whole following the discovery of significant gold deposits. This was matched by improvements in infrastructure, including the opening of the Perth to Bunbury railway line in 1893 and significant development of the port. From this time on the town developed not only as an important regional centre, but also as a seaside tourist resort. Despite the adverse impact of war and depression, Bunbury continued to experience residential and business development during the Inter-War era, and the population reached around 6,000 in 1939. The ongoing development and consolidation of the town over time continues to be reflected in its local heritage places. As the town developed through the early twentieth century the number of prominent two storey buildings increased within the main business centre, with hotels, banks, offices and emporiums creating local landmarks. However, the majority of retail premises continued to be housed in relatively modest single storey buildings, typically with simple stepped parapets and recessed entries flanked by display windows. These attracted little attention in the public records, but these small shops offered a wide range of important services and were essential to the local community. Mary Haycox (formerly Teede, nee Crampton) (c.1857-1946) lived in Bunbury for much of her life and newspaper notices confirm that she was involved in the development of at least four shops along Victoria Street in 1906-1908 (at least two of which were designed by F.W. Steere, architect). In the Rates Books of 1926/27 Mary Haycox was listed as the owner of 4 shops on Bunbury Town Lot 190, being two shops at 42-44 Victoria Street (later #s 95-97) and two at 46-48 Victoria Street (later #s 91-93, now fully redeveloped) – although later entries suggest that this property was actually owned by the estate of her deceased aunt, Hannah Milsome (nee Crampton). Based on the readily available evidence it is highly likely that these were the shops built for Mary Haycox 18-20 years earlier. Nothing has been confirmed regarding their early use but in the 1930s the shops at 95-97 Victoria Street were adapted as a wine saloon and café: • The Bbidecud Wine Saloon was opened at 44 Victoria Street (now #95) in 1931. It was established under the proprietorship of Godfrey Basil Duce, who also operated the Bbidecud Winery at Boyanup and was managed (and later owned) by George Henry Joel until 1946. In the period around 1950 the wine saloon was being operated by Gerald Urban Wells. • The Rex Café was opened as a “Fish and Grill Business” in 1935. It was established by John Krinos (aka Giovani Crinos), who had migrated to W.A. from Italy in 1927. The Rex Café was still operating in the early 1950s, when it was under the proprietorship of Stephen (‘Steve’) Fradelos, who had migrated from Greece in c.1935. In 1936, Bunbury underwent a major reallocation of street numbers which resulted in the property changing from 42-44 Victoria Street to its present address of 95-97 Victoria Street. A photograph showing these shops was included in the Western Mail in 1937. This shows former detailing, including the recessed entry and display windows to the southern half of the premises, ball finials to the parapet and a bull- nosed verandah. Since at least 2008, number 97 Victoria Street has been occupied by Cafe Bean. In 2009, the Cafe Bean expanded to include 95 Victoria Street.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Medium Date of survey:16/02/2022

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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