Fitzroyalty » Brunswick St

Fitzroy history – the Evelyn hotel

brian — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:50:09 +0000

This 1969 photo of the Evelyn hotel on Brunswick St shows the hotel with its facade intact, before the removal of the render and the significant remodelling of the walls on the ground floor, and the more shabby than chic appearance the walls have today.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

ambivalent

brian — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:08:22 +0000

Does this sign make you want to go into this shop, or avoid it? I wonder if they also stock blackface?

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Fitzroy history – Brunswick St between St David and Moor streets

brian — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:05:07 +0000

This is a view of the east side of Brunswick St facing north east of the section south of St David St from 50 years ago. The photo shows that, sometime after 1948, the former McColl Electric Works had become a toy wholesaler, and that what is now Blue Chillies was once a shoe shop (or manufacturer).…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

7 storeys on Brunswick St

brian — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:27:29 +0000

A planning permit has been sought by a developer to redevelop the former Thread Den premises (originally the Cavan hotel) into a 7 storey apartment building. I don’t understand how an application can be made for such a redevelopment of a heritage listed building on a street with a heritage overlay.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

has Endis cafe closed?

brian — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:23:17 +0000

Endis cafe on Brunswick has been closed for over a week, but very neatly, as if the owner has simply gone on holiday. Normally, however, when a business is temporarily closed the owner leaves a note in the window to appease customers.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

attention cyclist guy

brian — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:20:24 +0000

This is attached to the wall outside the Fitzroy Nursery on Brunswick St near the corner of Leicester St.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Fitzroy history – from draper and milliner to bar

brian — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:05:32 +0000

At the time of the publication of a panoramic drawing of Fitzroy in 1889, the property at 401 Brunswick St was a drapery warehouse. It’s now the bar Polly.

Courtesy the SLV / ID: H4634 / artist: F W Niven / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain / c1889

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Fitzroy history – from draper to bank

brian — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:05:33 +0000

The 10 Collective recruitment agency recently wrote about moving into the building at 141-145 Brunswick St, which houses the Fitzroy and Carlton Community Credit Cooperative on the ground floor, and they summarise the history of the building.

They also linked to a panoramic drawing looking north over East Melbourne, Fitzroy and Collingwood from the point of view from the roof of St Patrick’s Cathedral. …

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Shoe Fitz is closing

brian — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:19:24 +0000

This is one business closure I am genuinely sad about, because I walked past yesterday wearing boots bought at Shoe Fitz to discover they are closing. I’m hearing more and more comments from locals that retail is seriously struggling on Brunswick St.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

window antics

brian — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:05:41 +0000

In the space of the former Lion in Love, something new is happening. Sort of. At the moment the window features Lego figures staring out at the street while soft toys are busy fucking.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

open space on Brunswick St

brian — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:43:15 +0000

I love the open space alongside the new ACU building on Brunswick St.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

how much frozen yogurt does Brunswick St need?

brian — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:07:04 +0000

Berrisimo frozen yogurt opened recently on Brunswick St next to Babka. At the time it was the only shop of its kind in the immediate vicinity and added something new to Brunswick St. However, just across the road, in the location of the former Cruzao, a direct competitor called Frolic will soon open.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

has Cafe Nova closed?

brian — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:05:08 +0000

Last winter Cafe Nova on Brunswick reduced its trading days – an admission perhaps of poor profitability, where wages cost more than a cafe earns. Now the cafe is closed and the entrance is boarded over. Is it closed for good?…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

bureaucrazy

brian — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:22:40 +0000

In the window of Palookaville on Brunswick St.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Lush is closing

brian — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:48:18 +0000

Lush women’s fashion shop on Brunswick St is closing.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

lunch at Alpha Ouzeri on Brunswick St

brian — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:43:31 +0000

This post will not be subtle. My girlfriend and I walked into the Greek restaurant Alpha Ouzeri on Brunswick St and were barely able to waddle out after taking the $39 set menu challenge. Add a bottle of the very pleasant Darley pinot gris from Mornington Peninsula and you have an impressive meal for two for $120.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

old school social media

brian — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:38:01 +0000

This graffiti on a rubbish bin outside St Mary’s House of Welcome on Brunswick St reads: ‘Huchy when “Dragon” catches you you are going down. Around kids and fam[ily] you lost course (sic) doc’.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

new backpackers hostel on Hanover St

brian — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 13:11:18 +0000

A former hostel for the down and out above My Beautiful Laundrette closed some time ago after a history of trouble, including a fire in 2007. It has now reopened as a backpacker hostel called Tram Stop 14 (after the tram stop in front of it on Brunswick St).…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Wendun Nier is closing

brian — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:04:52 +0000

Wendun Nier, which sells bling with a trash femme aesthetic, is closing. It never seemed right for Brunswick St. There’s no news on whether partner business Best Together is continuing.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Harry Wragg has closed

brian — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:55:56 +0000

Vintage clothing shop Harry Wragg lasted two years on Brunswick St before closing late last year. The premises are being redeveloped as a bar called ‘The Rooks Return’.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Bangla has closed

brian — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:50:18 +0000

The Bangla Indian cafe on Brunswick St has closed.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

lunch at the Cider House on Brunswick St

brian — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:05:00 +0000

I’ve been meaning to eat at the Cider House for months, and it seems hard to believe that it has been open for over 6 months now, but I’ve been busy. Cider House has reinvigorated a space that was a site of multiple business failures and seems to have made it work.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

uplifting

brian — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:12:01 +0000

Project Uplift aims to collect secondhand bras to be donated to women in need. A house on Brunswick St in North Fitzroy is collecting from their front garden. Contribute if you can and read more about the project.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Gypsy Bar to be revived

brian — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:42:30 +0000

This sounds promising – the Gypsy Bar is being revived.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Lion in Love is closing

brian — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 13:16:02 +0000

Brunswick St north of Johnston St is experiencing significant change at the moment: a new pizza shop, the departure of the Red Cross opp shop, the Gypsy bar and Cape Live being renewed and fashion shop Lion in Love closing.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Cape Live is being resurrected

brian — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:15:58 +0000

All new vibes! All new capital letters! Bad spelling! Thanks to Bitsroy for alerting me to this. The old Cape Live has finally closed and is being resurrected. I hope they pay their employees according to the law this time…

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Cruzao is closing on Sunday

brian — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:03:39 +0000

According to their site, Cruzao is closing after their final trading day on Sunday 30 December. It’s been an interesting feature of Brunswick St for the past two and a half years. Initially I liked it but their propensity for ridiculously slow service made me choose to frequent Sonido instead.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

La Dulcita has closed

brian — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 13:31:30 +0000

That was a surprise, and I’m not being sarcastic. I gave it a positive review. La Dulcita only opened two months ago in the front of the space that was Retro cafe, with Brother Burger along the Westgarth side. Perhaps losing the Brunswick St visibility for Brother Burger was a mistake for the owner of these businesses…

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Ol School fish and chips has closed

brian — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:52:00 +0000

It’s a shame as I liked it but it’s also not very surprising that Ol School fish and chips has closed. The opening hours were slight and while the food was good the owners didn’t seem too excited about being in business.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

flowers

brian — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:08:58 +0000

A new painting on the Rose St side wall of Shag on the corner of Brunswick St.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

the haves and have nots

brian — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:03:47 +0000

Last night the power went out in Fitzroy about 10pm for a section of the suburb from just south of Rose St to just north of Cecil St.

On the west side of Brunswick St, Cruzao had power while neighbour Madame K’s did not.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Turkish cafe closes on Brunswick St

brian — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:35:56 +0000

The former Turkish cafe / kebab shop in the ground floor of the Brunswick St Gallery building lost half its space earlier this year. That part became Phat Brats. Now the other half has closed, which seemed inevitable. What will come next?…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

empanadas for lunch at La Dulcita on Brunswick St

brian — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 13:18:37 +0000

After the closure of Juanita’s two years ago I was bereft, as I was deprived of south American treats. Sonido is great but doesn’t have the cakes that Juanita’s had. Now it seems there is a successor. La Dulcita opened a couple of weeks ago in the front bit of what was Retro cafe, as part of the same development that has Brother Burger along the Westgarth St side and The Playroom upstairs (which is currently hosting an amazing popup wine bar called the Barrel Room by the Vinsurgents).…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

a car full of drugs, or a quiet news day

brian — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:05:36 +0000

Yesterday afternoon a story broke on Twitter that a car full of chemicals used to make drugs had been stopped by police on Brunswick St on the corner of Rose St. According to the Herald Scum there was a ‘high risk’ that the chemicals could explode.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

popup wine bar coming to Brunswick St

brian — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 14:42:17 +0000

The Playroom, a new upstairs venue above Brother Burger (formerly Retro cafe then briefly Eat Drink Man Woman) is now open. It will host a pop up wine bar run by the Vinsurgents called the Barrel Hall that opens on 13 October.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Mickey Lamar’s Video Stars at Bar Open

brian — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:05:51 +0000

This is a promotional post and the copy comes courtesy of the performers. A Perth-based performing arts trio will be performing at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Their show, Mickey Lamar’s Video Stars, is on at Bar Open on Brunswick St next week.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

redevelopment of the Old Colonial Inn on Brunswick St

brian — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:13:26 +0000

The Old Colonial Inn on Brunswick St, which closed in the middle of last year, has been bought by developers who have submitted plans to council indicating that they want to build a much larger venue with the capacity for many more customers than allowed for by the existing pub licence.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

lunch at Nyala on Brunswick St

brian — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:47:38 +0000

I’d tried a number of times to spontaneously have dinner when Nyala African restaurant was located on the southern end of Brunswick St opposite Atherton Gardens, but it was always full. Having moved some months ago further north to above Django Django on the corner of Brunswick St and Kerr St, I’d tried a further couple of times but the opening hours seemed a bit erratic and it was closed when their website said they were meant to be open.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

the Royal Derby has another makeover

brian — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:38:10 +0000

The Royal Derby hotel on the corner of Brunswick St and Alexandra Parade had a very slick South Yarra style makeover back in 2008, which had no vibe and which obviously did not retain customers. It’s now closed and undergoing another makeover.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Alexandra Parade by brian

Fitzroy history – the Black Cat 1985-2001

brian — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:01:28 +0000

I’ve already done one post on the history of the Black Cat cafe, but these photos are worth sharing. First, from 1985, then from 2001 as it was about to close.

Courtesy of Museum Victoria / ID: MM90440 / photographer: unknown / copyright: used under the fair dealings provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 / c1985

Courtesy of Museum Victoria / ID: MM90446 / photographer: unknown / copyright: used under the fair dealings provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 / c2001

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

new Latin bar coming to Brunswick St?

brian — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:23:55 +0000

The former Bala’s space on Brunswick St is being renovated by a new tenant. Some of the window is covered by random newspaper, but some is covered with repetitions of ‘Latin Passion’ posters. Is this a sign that Cruzao is going to get a new competitor?…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

potentially talking dog

brian — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:08:15 +0000

On Brunswick St on the corner of Moor St.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

shopping on Brunswick St in 1875

brian — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:58:46 +0000

These advertisements are from the Mercury newspaper (which was published in Fitzroy between 1875 – 1877) on 7 August 1875, p. 1.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Advertising by brian

globular

brian — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:33:07 +0000

Globes in the window of Mark Denver on Brunswick St.

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

the final chapter in the Cape Live employee exploitation story

brian — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:20:30 +0000

Back in 2010 I wrote about the owners of the former Cape Live cafe being forced by the Fair Work Ombudsman to repay wages to illegally underpaid workers. Unfortunately, some of the exploited workers still have not been back paid their full wages and some may never receive what they earned.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Fitzroy history – from building society to closed bicycle shop

brian — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:58:21 +0000

This undated illustration shows what was the Excelsior Building Society and Savings Bank at 433 Brunswick St. It’s now vacant and for lease, having recently been half of what was Brunswick St Cycles.

Courtesy the Fitzroy local history collection / ID: 21186 / artist: unknown / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain / date unknown

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

St Jude’s has closed

brian — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:56:43 +0000

St Jude’s restaurant on Brunswick St closed last Saturday night. The owners are relocating their other business, Rice Queen, from its current location on Smith St to the former St Jude’s space. More recently, St Jude’s was offering a cheap bar meal and seemed to have lost their mojo.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

analysing the BSC failure

brian — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 14:37:05 +0000

Brunswick St Cycles shops closed during the week. The business appears to have suddenly collapsed, but I think that behind this the scenario was somewhat different. Reading the articles in the Age about it, a pattern of illogical capitalism emerges.

Cycling has become increasingly popular amongst the middle class as a form of transport and as a hobby, driven by such diverse forces as increasing traffic congestion and fuel prices, the need for sedentary office workers to get more exercise, and the coverage of cycle racing on SBS.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

Fretted Instruments has relocated to Carlton

brian — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:48:25 +0000

The longtime Brunswick St guitar shop has relocated to Elgin St Carlton. Will the retail mix along this stretch of Brunswick St change again? Will it be food, fashion or something else that moves in here?

…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian

lunch at Martha Ray’s on Brunswick St

brian — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:47:17 +0000

The space of the former shortlived Rhombus surf shop has become Martha Ray’s, a cafe serving coffee, all day breakfast dishes and delicious rolls such as this pork belly with cabbage and apple slaw (below). My friend and I slipped in for lunch just in time, as people flowed in immediately after us and the narrow space was soon completely full.…

Leave A Comment
posted in Brunswick St by brian