Camberwell Heritage Group
The Camberwell Shopping precinct is one of the oldest shopping strips in Melbourne.
The area developed as the population of Melbourne grew and gentlemen farmers went in search of land. In 1853 an inn was erected on the corner of several converging roads and named ‘The Camberwell Inn’ as it reminded the owner of Camberwell Green in London. The area took the name of Camberwell and the busy intersection of streets known as Camberwell Junction.
When the railway line was extended to the area in 1882 the opportunity for commerce created the businesses along Burke Road. Easy access to the city encouraged further residential development and the shopping precinct supported this growth.
Some of the types of businesses operating then are still needed in the shopping strip today though most have changed locations and operators many times over the years. The Camberwell Traders Association established the Camberwell Heritage Group to recognise that many businesses in Camberwell have managed to continuously trade successfully in a challenging industry through some difficult retail periods for more than 20 years. This page has been created to reward them for their contribution to the Camberwell Shopping Centre.
- ULMS FOR HAIR
- CAMBERWELL CENTRE NEWSAGENCY 1933
- DICKORY DOCK CORSETRY SALON 1947
- HOUSE & GARDEN 1983
- STEPHEN'S & MILLER JEWELLERS 1945
- THE CHOCOLATE BOX 1935
- YOUNG'S AUCTIONS 1930
- FRATELLE HAIR STUDIO 1981
- CAMBERWELL SECRETARIAT 1977
- BETSY PRYAM SHOES 1969
- DUNN'S LEATHERGOODS 1960
- STEVE'S HAIR DESIGN 1971
- BODY WORLD GYMNASIUM 1958
- FINE ART LINEN CO.
- LA FIGURE LINGERIE 1945
- CAMBERWELL FRESH FOOD MARKET 1930s
- PLAYER'S SNOOKER & POOL ROOM 1922
- W.L BROWN JEWELLERS 1922
- RIVOLI CINEMAS 1921
- THE PALACE HOTEL 1888
ULMS FOR HAIR
Opened in 1978 this creative hair salon was first located over the road and also carried a range of stylish women's wear. However it now specialises in the latest fashion styles, professional hair care and a unique range of French skincare and make -up.
CAMBERWELL CENTRE NEWSAGENCY 1933
628 Burke Road The newsagency business now known as Camberwell Centre newsagency has been operating in Camberwell since 1933 though it was originally located a few doors along Burke Road and moved to this location and into a store 3 times the size of the old one, in 1994. The current owners renamed the business when they purchased it recently, for the previous 15 years it was Shannon's Newsagency.
DICKORY DOCK CORSETRY SALON 1947
945 Burke Road The Steele family have run this same store, in the same location since 1947. Specialising in corsetry and lingerie the shop is run I the fashion of the 40’s with a small salon setting and specialist fitters working with the customer to determine the most suitable items. They also have an extensive range of lingerie suitable for women who have had a mastectomy.
HOUSE & GARDEN 1983
638 Burke Road
Originally located in Prospect Hill
Road the business moved to its present position 11 years ago. The
store is open to both Burke Road and the Market place car park and
includes an extensive range of kitchen ware, soft furnishings and
gifts.
STEPHEN'S & MILLER JEWELLERS 1945
2 Prospect Hill Road The business started in Mayston Street and moved to the current location in 1956 and was started by businesses partners Frank Stephens and Albie Miller. Current owner Cliff Stephens has been a partner and now sole owner since 1977
THE CHOCOLATE BOX 1935
761 Burke Road The original chocolate shop was called ‘Smile Away’ and opened in this location to service the popular Rivoli cinema that was originally located in Burke Road. In 1958 Mr and Mrs Richard Adler took over the small business and changed the name to The Chocolate Box. With the help of their children, as they became old enough to be included in the business, The Chocolate Box grew to a chain of stores throughout Australia and includes their own range of chocolates ‘Adler's’. Over the years the Camberwell store has been renovated at least 10 times and in 1979 grew to include and arcade of shops known as The Chocolate Box Centre. Located in the heart of the Camberwell Junction centre this became a popular place to meet and an icon for the precinct.The arcade changed again recently when Border's moved in but the Chocolate Box store remains and was totally refurbished.
YOUNG'S AUCTIONS 1930
229 Camberwell Road Ernie Young started this auction room in 1930 and the business continues to conduct a weekly Auction every Friday with old wares and great finds. The business is still in the family with third generation, David & Ian Young still at the helm.
FRATELLE HAIR STUDIO 1981
740 Burke Road
This family business started in
Riversdale Road in 1981. The current business is still owned and
operated by family members and they have also opened a salon in
Wheelers Hill.
CAMBERWELL SECRETARIAT 1977
Level 1, 19 Cookson Street
Located in a quiet laneway off Cookson Street this business has continually operated a secretarial service to the local customers and businesses in Camberwell for over 26 years. With the proliferation of home computers the business has expanded to include computer training and business bookkeeping services.
BETSY PRYAM SHOES 1969
941 Burke Road Many Camberwell mothers remember getting their first party shoes from this store and now bring their own children to get their school shoes. The business was originally established in Regent Place in the city in the early 1940�s, next door to Tim the Toyman and Hillier's Chocolates, specialising in the �correct fitting of children�s shoes�. In 1969 the business moved to Camberwell and in 1974 Stephen Smith purchased the store from the original owner, Mrs Betsy Burness. In 1984 the business moved next door to its current address on the corner of Burwood Road and continues to take pride in being children�s fitting specialists. The current owner is Stephen�s son Ian.
DUNN'S LEATHERGOODS 1960
777 Burke Road Over 43 years ago Gerald and Mary Dunn opened their business on the corner of Burke Road and Burke Avenue called 'Farmers' and sold a range of handbags and suitcases. The business is now known as Dunn's Leathergoods and is still operated by members of the same family offering a great range of handbags, suitcases and other travel goods.
STEVE'S HAIR DESIGN 1971
Rear 614 Burke Road Steve Garofallou has operated as a hairdresser for over 34 years in a small store facing the Harold Street car park. His faithful customers still come in for a regular haircut from Steve though he has handed the running of the business over to his son-in-law Gino Falcone.
BODY WORLD GYMNASIUM 1958
849 Burwood Road Originally known as Findlay's Gym this business started in the city in 1933. Frank Findlay was well known as the trainer of great tennis players and the current gym still specialises in traditional body building and strengthening rather than dancing classes or mat work. New owners took over in the 70's and again in 1982, the current owner Bruce Grey has had the gym for six years.
FINE ART LINEN CO.
Origionally opened by his father in 1956 this shop hasn't changed much over the years and that is its charm. Beautiful Irish Linen tea towels are stacked in old style display cases and quality hand stitched napery is laid out on tables. Well into his eighties before he handed the mangement over to his son and daughter in law, the proviso must have been kept things the same; the same old fashioned appeal, the same old fashion service.
LA FIGURE LINGERIE 1945
489 Riverdale Road This shop has been at the corner of Camberwell and Riversdale Road in the busy junction site since the end of world war one. They still offer traditional lingerie, specialising in corsetry fitting and swimwear for more mature women. In 1971 the family also opened a store at 658 Burke Road to introduce a younger, more fashion oriented lingerie and swimwear range.
CAMBERWELL FRESH FOOD MARKET 1930s
515 -521 Riversdale Road Camberwell This site war originally a horse carriage factory and in the 1930’s became a produce market to service the outlying market gardens of the area. In 1992 a major fire damaged most of the market and stallholders operated from temporary premises while the market was rebuilt. Another refurbishment in 2002 allowed for a fresh new look and opened the rear wall to the car park offering easier access. Traders include 4 delis, 2 fishmongers, 2 florists, 2 chicken stores, 3 fruit and veg stalls, 2, butchers, 2 cafes, juice bar, sushi bar, dried fruit and nuts, wine store, discount cosmetics and shoe repair. Many stall holders in this traditional style market are second or third generation and all are family run businesses.
PLAYER'S SNOOKER & POOL ROOM 1922
Level 1 487 Riverdale Road Located upstairs of a corner site right at the junction this pool hall has operated since 1922 and is still a popular spot for snooker and pool enthusiasts.
W.L BROWN JEWELLERS 1922
Shop 8 600 Burke Road William Leslie Brown started the business in the Camberwell Arcade in 1920. This First World War soldier bought his son Leslie Alfred Brown into the business after he returned from the Second World War. The current owner is third generation Brown and started in the business in 1973.
RIVOLI CINEMAS 1921
200 Camberwell Road The original single cinema was located at 570 Burke Road but a new cinema was built on its current site in 1940. Architects Taylor and Soilleux incorporated the best art deco features as was the height of fashion in this era. In 1968 the cinema was divided into two [the upper level becoming cinemas one and the stalls cinemas two]. This became the first twin cinema in Australia. In 1999 Village took 12 months and $16 million to refurbish and extend the Rivoli to a total of 8 cinemas. The original art deco features were faithfully restored in Cinemas 1 & 2 and copied in foyer areas, Village worked with Heritage Victoria and Society Art Deco to ensure authenticity. However, state of the art sound systems, high tech projection equipment and plush new seating ensure modern comfort and first class viewing.
THE PALACE HOTEL 1888
893 Burke Road Officially opened by the then Lord Mayor of Hawthorn on July 30 1888, the Palace Hotel has dominated the Camberwell skyline sitting high on Burke Hill since the area was first established. The building still looks similar to when it was first built on the outside but has undergone many transformations on the inside over the years. Recently a new refurbishment included the addition of Taberet room and bottle shop, while upstairs has private function rooms.