Shop & Residence (former)

The triangular parcel of land on which the shop and former residence is situated was owned by the Hough family from 1916-1922. The Houghs constructed the building which first appears in postal records in 1920 as a store operated by George A Flack.

In 1922, the site was acquired by Henry and Lilias Greenham who operated the shop as a greengrocer’s but did not always reside on the property. In 1926, the building was occupied by D Postle and a photograph from this period shows signage on the shop which read “JD Postle and Sons”. After the death of Henry Greenham in 1951, the site was sold.

Since that time, the shop has housed a variety of businesses including various grocers, a barber, a florist and an antique shop. Since 1980, it has operated as a restaurant. In 1988, the property was purchased by Queensland Rail and since that time, it has been leased. The site is highly valued by the local community.

The roof of the front façade is concealed behind a timber parapet with two gabled peaks. A wide awning roof, with decorative timber valance at the side of the verandah, extends over a footpath, sheltering the timber framed glass shop fronts. Many of the original glass panes are still extant and, on one of the panes, the name “Postle” can still be faintly discerned. Two recessed entry porches create show case displays facing the footpath. To the east of the commercial section of the building is an attached timber former residence, with a projecting gabled wing, now used as a kitchen and storage area. It angles away from the road and opens to a covered courtyard area. A large section of the former residence has been renovated and now houses the restaurant’s kitchen. Three other room in the former residence are used for storage, in one of the larger rooms, a cold room has been added. A small room opens out to a porch which now leads to the courtyard area. Along the rear façade are a number of window openings with window hoods. A door provides access to the kitchen.

Internally, the commercial section of the building has been substantially altered. The area which formed part of the original store now houses table and chairs and a counter area. The floor is timber and in one section, which forms part of the window showcase, there is a marked difference in the type of timber used. The timber in the showcase area is much wider and not as neatly edged as the timber in the main section. Photographic evidence shows that these recessed window areas were used for goods displays. The timber may have been less neat in these areas as it was often covered by the store’s products. Two timber steps lead to what is thought to be a side verandah which was later enclosed. The floor boards in this area are much more worn in areas compared with the remainder of the building so it is quite possible that it was once a verandah. The later extension has a concrete floor. 

A number of old photographs and pictures and pictures are up on the walls of the restaurant. There is also a collection of historic material including a creamer, a timber washing basin, leather straps used to sharpen razor blades and a timber ice box.

1. BCC Detail Sewerage Plan no. 463, 1936

2. Brisbane City Council Aerial Photographs

3. EPA (now DERM). Research and Condition Report on 278 Eagle Junction Rd, Clayfield compiled c.2000