National Boot Company, later Edgar Owen's factory, also Italian Waiters Club, 20 Meyers Place, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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National Boot Company, later Edgar Owen's factory, also Italian Waiters Club, 20 Meyers Place, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
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BIF-CITY 106559
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2022:__________________________________________________DATE: 1872?,1887?, c1918;ASSOCIATIONS: Jones, John; Langley, James; John M. Langley and Fanny Langley; Edgar Owen Engineer & Machinist; W.R Crichton Caterer; and Denis SabbadiniBUILDER: Hutton, Neil.CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWStatement of SignificanceWhat is significant?20 Meyers Place, Melbourne, a two-storey warehouse built in c1886-87.Elements that contribute to the significance of the place include (but are not limited to):· The original building form and scale;· The pre-1995 Waiters Restaurant painted sign on the northern side wall;Its continuingpresentation as a casalinga style Italian restaurant, with a continuity of Sabbadini ownership overthree generations; and· Its continuing presentation as a casalinga style Italian restaurant, with a continuity of Sabbadiniownership over three generations; and· The traditions and stories associated with the restaurant which are ‘legendary’ within Melbourne.More recent alterations made to the street level façade are not significant.How it is significant?20 Meyers Place, Melbourne, is of local historic and social significance to the City of Melbourne.Why it is significant?20 Meyers Place is historically significant for its long-standing and direct connection with Melbourne’scafé and restaurant industry from the early post-World War Two period to the present, demonstratingthe influence of the Italian community on Melbourne’s restaurant and café culture. It is associated with the Italian Waiters Club established in the building in c1947, a business that continues today as theWaiters Restaurant. Italians have been highly influential in the development of Melbourne’s restaurantscene from the late nineteenth century through to today; the scene was dominated by Italians in the1920s-30s. After the Second World War, which was a difficult period for Italians living in Australia,Italian cafes such as the Italian Waiters Club, Pelligrini’s (1954) and several others in Lygon Street(Carlton) were established, each serving a particular clientele and with their own style. The ItalianWaiters Club specialises in a casalinga style of cuisine – in essence home-cooking – and this is arecognised part of its attraction. The Sabbadini family, owners since the 1970s, have continued thistradition across three generations, serving dishes from the northern Italian Friuli-Venezia-Giuliaregion. (Criterion A)The Italian Waiters Club is of social significance for its strong and enduring associations as aMelbourne eating institution, made famous by its ‘secret’ location, unlicensed drinking, the casalingastyle of cooking and as a place to see many renowned Melburnians – politicians, journalists andsometimes underworld figures. It is an important place of informal social congregation forMelburnians, initially created as an informal club by waiters seeking a place to socialise after work,but soon becoming a highly desirable place to those ‘in the know’, with its anonymity forming part ofthe attraction. Its social significance is evidenced by its regular, long-term and continuous use as acasalinga style restaurant and informal meeting place for around 55-60 years, and longer if the earlyclub period is included. (Criterion G)The Italian Waiters Club has become a Melbourne institution over the course of its 72-year operationand colourful history. For its iconic status and long-standing operation as a restaurant, it iscomparable with the nearby Florentino’s and Pellegrini’s, both located on Bourke Street. Whileestablished later than both these examples, it is distinguished by its different role in Melbourne’s caféand dining culture because it was established as a place for waiters, mainly of Italian, Spanish andGreek backgrounds, to come together and eat, drink and play cards after finishing work at theirrespective restaurants, at a time when selling alcohol after 6.00pm was illegal in Melbourne. TheItalian Waiters Club remains a Melbourne legend: knowing how to find it, recalling the wine served incups or ‘vegemite’ jars and ‘legendary brusque waiter Paolo’, are part of being a Melburnian. Its earlypainted sign on the northern side wall is tangible evidence of its long-term use as and occupation bythe Waiters Restaurant, an institution within Melbourne’s café culture. (Criterion G)Primary sourceHoddle Grid Heritage Review (Context & GJM Heritage, 2020).GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM__________________________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-1683Offered at fifth land sale 1839, Allotment 12. 1866 - building on site. 1888 - two-storey building, Jones Bootmaker. 1905 -two-storey building__________________________________________________MAHLSTEDT FIRE INSURANCE PLAN SERIESSeries 1, map 21888two-storey building, similar plan, Jones -boot importer.1910-20 two storey masonry Justice Manufacturing Company south side light well, central window, north of S Meyers Stables and Ice Cream Works (pasted in?)1925?20 two storey masonry Justice Manufacturing Company south side light well, central window, north of S Meyers Stables 16-18, and Ice Cream Works 12-14__________________________________________________LEWIS, M- AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE INDEX:Record 73749; Langley, Jas Melbourne VIC Houses; Shops Hutton, Neil 1872 02 28 4724 MCC registration no 4724 [Burchett Index]. Fee 3.0.0shop & dwelling, Bourke east - Nicholas Lane(No Jones application in the 1880s on this site)__________________________________________________TRETHOWAN ARCHITECTURE, 2015. BOURKE HILL PRECINCT HERITAGE REVIEWHISTORYKnown as Nicholas Lane from 1856 till 1935. In 1860 Nicholas Lane housed businesses run by a house and sign painter, wood carver and galvanized iron and zinc worker. By 1891, it was home to many residents, as well as refreshment rooms, two tobacconists, a pawnbroker and a post and telegraph office. In 1888 the two storey building was occupied by James Bent?, an importer. In 1895 the site was identified as 20 Nicholas Lane. Hing Quong and Co. were in residence in 1900 and by 1923 a Justice Manue Co. occupied the building. Façade appears to date from 1890-1915, which suggests the original built form was altered during this time. By 1948 the side alley had a staircase inserted, possibly indicating the upper floor was let separately. The building was used forfood use and by 1960 the Firenze Club shared the building.Current ground floor façade altered.FEATURESEarly building. Altered but notable facade in a Federation Free Classical style.ANALYSISEarly street but nothing of the former streetscape remains. An early building with the footprint remaining the same since 1888. Façade appears altered and dates from 1892 - 1915. Architectural merit is diminished by the roller shutter and the retractable awnings. The building is graded E on i-Heritage, which a is redundant grading not used in the current Melbourne Planning Scheme. Although graded and included on i-Heritage, it is not included in the precinct.RECOMMENDATIONSExtend precinct boundary to include building, update building grading to acknowledge contribution to the precinct.__________________________________________________CONTEXT (WITH GJM HERITAGE) 2020, HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWHO1364The Waiter’s Restaurant20 Meyers Place(c1886-1887)Summary· Historically significant for demonstrating the influence of the Italian community on Melbourne’s café and restaurant industry.· Socially significant as a longstanding eating institution, made famous by its ‘secret’ location, unlicensed drinking and casalinga style of cooking, initially as a place for Italian, Spanish and Greek waiters to socialise after work..Association:Associated with: migrant culture, alcohol licensing laws (they sold alcohol after hours) and its use by many high-ranking Victorians (such as parliamentarians and lawyers) due to its proximity to top end of town and its discrete nature. Place was also site of an infamous siege. The downstairs bar which operated until the other year (has since been replaced by other bar) had won architectural awards and was a key place in the revival/formation of Melbourne's laneway bar culture.The Italian Waiters Club, opened in 1947, was established as a place for waiters, mainly of Italian, Spanish and Greek backgrounds, to come together and eat, drink and play cards after finishing work at their respective restaurants. The owner clandestinely sold alcohol to patrons, at a time when selling alcohol after 6.00pm was illegal in Melbourne. Fitted out with a kitchen in the 1950s, the restaurant became infamous for its clientele, which included politicians, police, journalists and gangsters, due to its isolated location and discreet nature (Cody 2018).W R (Wally) Crichton, owner 1952-1959, occupier 1945-c1955:It is likely the Italian Waiters Club was established by Wallace (Wally) Roy Crichton, a well known Melbourne caterer, who owned the building from 1952 to 1959, and whose business occupied the building from 1945 to c1955. Crichton also owned a number of pastry shops in the suburbs in the 1930s and 1940s (Argus 24 July 1945:4).In the 1930s, Crichton advertised his services as ‘caterer and hirer’ for weddings, dinners and socials, with ‘marquees, chairs, crockery etc’ for hire from Anzac Hall in Collins Street (Herald 2 December 1933:38; Herald 28 May 1935:18).During the economic depression of the 1930s, Crichton, then president of the Flemington and Kensington branch of the All-For-Australian League, organised a soup kitchen from the Kensington Town Hall that provided about 100 meals a day, mostly to school children (Herald 6 August 1931:12).Crichton was a Melbourne City councillor for the Hopetoun Ward from 1945 to 1954, and was elected general president of the Victorian Chamber of Catering Industries in 1948 (Advocate 19 November 1945:2; Argus 27 August 1954:1; Argus 6 December 1948:3).An avid supporter of the Essendon Football Club, Crichton served the club continuously, sometimes in multiple roles, for an unbroken period of 34 years. Crichton was wounded in World War One and lost a leg. This ended any ambition of playing football but instead he became a successful and long-serving club administrator. He was appointed Essendon president 1941 and held the position until his death in 1959. As a mark of the esteem with which Wally Crichton is held, the Essendon Football Club’s best and fairest award was renamed the Crichton Medal in his honour (Essendon 2019).Sabbadini family, owner 1993-present, occupier 1970s-present:Carlo and Fernanda Sabbadini purchased the Italian Waiters Club, located at 20 Meyers Place, in the late 1970s after they migrated to Australia in 1949 from the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia’region in Italy's north. Settling in Fitzroy in 1950, and Carlo started working in Melbourne’s hospitality scene. The restaurant came into the spotlight in 1978 when 30 patrons in the restaurant were held under siege. The building was purchased by the Sabbadini family in the 1990s. The Waiters Restaurant continues to operate today under the management of Denis Sabbadini, the son of Carlo and Fernanda Sabbadini (CBD News 30 August 2016, Cody 2018).Online articles• Melbourn– places to eat - best Italian cafes: How Melbourne became an Italian city outside Italy, http://www.traveller.com.au/the-coffeeloving-mother-who-helped-end-a-restaurant-siege-gtxdts• The Age, ‘Proud histories’, https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/proud-histories-20050412-gdzyha’html• The Waiter's Club Siege, 1978, http://marvmelb.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-waiters-club-seige.html• CBD News, ‘Like father, like son’, http://cbdnews.com.au/like-father-like-son/• Waiters Restaurant, https://www.br62ictoria62com.au/melbourne/cbd/restaurants/waiters-restaurant#• Icon review: The Waiters Restaurant, https://www.goodfood.com.au/the-waiters-restaurant-melbourne/icon-review-the-waiters-restaurant-20180502-h0zj9u• The Age, ‘Trotter v Chopper, day of judgment’, https://www.theage.62ictoriaational/victoria/trotter-v-chopper-day-of-judgment-20121130-2am3m.htmlSITE HISTORYThe subject site is part of Crown Allotment 12, Block 9, offered for sale in 1839. By 1866, a building existed on the site (Fels, Lavelle & Mider 1993, Inventory no 683).In September 1886 the National Boot Company, boot importers, operated from the subject site, then addressed as 4 Nicholas Lane (Advocate 25 September 1886:22). A newspaper article reporting on a fire in May 1887 noted that the two-storey brick building at 4 Nicholas Lane had been newly erected for the proprietor of the company, John Jones (Age 31 May 1887:6). In the same year, Jones advertised his boot warehouse at 4 Nicholas Lane (Age 19 November 1887:5). By 1888, a two-storey building was present, and was occupied by boot importer John Jones (Figure 1). A two-storey building was still present on site in 1906 (Fels, Lavelle & Mider 1993, Inventory no 683).John Jones was a bootmaker and importer, and the owner of the National Boot Company. A report from 1889 stated that Jones had conducted his business in Melbourne for ‘almost 30 years’, at varying addresses around the city (Age 31 May 1887:6, Narracoorte Herald 28 November 1889:3). Jones’ occupancy of the subject building ended in 1889 with the sale of his property due to insolvency and his exit to Adelaide to escape his creditors (Argus 12 December 1889:5).Following Jones’ departure, through to 1903 the building was used for manufacturing purposes, including multiple cabinet makers (S&M 1895, 1898, 1903). From 1905 until 1910, the building was occupied by the Magnet Motor & Cycle Company (S&M 1905, 1910).By 1911, Boehme & Owen occupied the building. The firm, by 1915 known as Justice Manufacturing, was successful in winning several Commonwealth government contracts for the supply of bridle rings, likely for horses used by Australian troops overseas, from 1913 to 1915, as well as other government tenders for items such as coin boxes and galvanised iron, from 1917 to 1923 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 2 August 1913:1815; 8 February 1917:228; 5 July 1923:997).The subject site was advertised for sale as a two-storey brick factory in December 1917 (Herald 6 December 1917:14). The property was again offered for sale in 1929, as part of a sale of S Meyer’s land in the street. S Meyers owned other sites in the street, and he is presumably the person the street is named for (Figure 2) (Argus 2 February 1929:3).Between 1920 and 1924 the building was used by Edgar Owen, an engineer and merchant (S&Mc 1920, 1924). By 1926, Samuel Meyers, an ice-cream manufacturer, who is listed as occupying multiple buildings in Myers Place at the time, occupied the building (S&Mc 1926). By 1935, the ground floor of the building was occupied by J M Cook, a printer, who remained there until at least 1942. By 1945, the building was occupied by W R Crichton, a caterer, who remained there until at least 1955 (S&Mc 1945, 1955). The building was sold to Wallace (Wally) Crichton in 1952, who continued to own the property until 1959 (CT:V7749 F104).From 1947, the first floor of the building was occupied by the Italian Waiters Club, which continues to operate from the building today as the Waiters Restaurant (Cody 2018). The Italian Waiters Club was established at a time when Wallace (Wally) Crichton’s catering business occupied the building (c1945 to c1955). It is not known who established the Italian Waiters Club, although one source suggests that Filippo Lentini owned the restaurant for many years. Lentini also operated Filippo’s Restaurant in Exhibition Street in the 1980s, and in c1983 opened Lentini’s restaurant in Lygon Street, Carlton (Age 1 May 1984:28; 30 March 1985:194). Carlo and Fernanda Sabbadini purchased the Italian Waiters Club in the late 1970s.The ground floor of the building was briefly used as a sandwich bar, before being occupied by two different confectioners from the 1960s until 1970 (S&Mc 1960, 1965, 1970). By 1974, the ground floor had been converted into an office for Apeco Office Systems (S&Mc 1974).The property was sold in 1959, 1961, 1964, 1985 and 1989, before Denis and Sergio Sabbadini, the sons of Carlo and Fernanda Sabbadini, became the owners in 1993 (CT:V9632 F464).The 20 Meyers Place Bar opened on the ground floor of 20 Meyers Place in 1994.The subject building today houses the Waiters Restaurant (first floor) and Bar Carlo (ground floor) (CoMMaps).The subject building was recorded in 1888, 1910 and 1948 as a two-storey building (Mahlstedt Map Section 1, no 9A, 1888; Mahlstedt Map Section 1, no 2, 1910; 1948). This building is evidently the building still extant on the subject site, which maintains the same original form except for the staircase inserted into the narrow strip of land on the southern perimeter of the site (see Figure 1; Figure 2; Figure 3).The facade at 20 Meyers Place does not appear to be original and is representative of a later architectural style. Changes to the facade may have been undertaken in January 1934, when ‘alterations’ were made to the building (MBAI 14919). Other minor work has been carried out to the building in the following decades (MBAI). A new shop front was added in 1985, and this is presumably when the large roller-door was installed on the facade of the building at ground floor (MBAI 59679). The large sunblinds on the facade of the building were also added in 1985 (MBAI V2649).Figure 1. The subject site in 1888, showing a two-storey building with the label ‘Jones, Boot Importer’. (Source: Mahlstedt Map Section 1, no 9, 1888)Figure 2. The subject site in 1910, which maintained the same form as the 1888 plan. (Source: Mahlstedt Map Section 1, no 2, 1910)Figure 3. Showing the subject site in 1948, which maintained the same form as the 1888 plan. The building differs only by the insertion of a staircase in the narrow strip of land on the south perimeter of the site. (Source: Mahlstedt Map Section 1, no 2, 1948)__________________________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1887The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Fri 2 Dec 1887 Page 10 AdvertisingPublic Notlcea.J JONES'S Boot Warehouse removed No. 4 Nicholas-lane, off Bourke-street east, opposite Stewart's photographer.andFOUND, Jones's Original Boot Warehouse, No. 4 Nicholas-lane, off Bourkc-street east, opposite Stewart's, photographer. ..1888BOOT Business for Sale, best part Bourko-street, with or without stock. 4 Nicholas-lane. Bourke-street E.1889https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198056683ALLEGED EXTENSIVE DEFALCATIONS.A warrant" was issued late on Saturday for the arrest of John Jones, a boot importer, carrying on business in Nicholas-lane, off Bourke-street, and residing privately at Walton-terrace, Collins-place, -city, on thespecific charge of uttering - a valueless cheque for £40....1915, 1916LATHE WORK, all descriptions, promptly accurately done; bedrock prices. Justice Manufacturing Co., Myer's place, Bourke st. East..1917https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242435535EXECUTORS' SALE.In the Estate of John M. Langley and Fanny Langley, Deceased.city propertySYDNEY ARNOLD BEST & CO,will sell, as aboveLot 1.— Nos. 35 and 37 BOURKE STREETCorner Meyers Place..Two-storied BRICK BUILDING, containing large shop and dwelling, occupied as the BOURKE STREET EAST POST OFFICERental £204 per annum and rates. Land 22ft 3% in 75ft 6. .in.Lot 2.— MEYERS PLACE; LAND, 19ft by 54ft.Lot 3.— No. 20 MEYERS PLACE, Two story BRICK FACTORY, land 20ft. :54ft. let at. £1 a week,The buildings are substantial. The position is good and improving one.Titles certificates. Messrs. Cohen and Herman. solicitors, 2S5 Collins Street.THURSDAY, DEC. 13; 1917..1927 NEW REGISTRATIONSJustice Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd., mechanical engineers and manufacturers of machinery, etc. Capital.£5000 !n £1 shares. Directors: David Roy Phillips and Frank Hill Pidgcon..1929For Men Only !Don't discard your old Razor Blades.Buy a Justice Safety Razor Sharpener and make your Wades last indefinitely.SIMPLE TO USEWILL LAST A LIFETIME.Saad 2/6 and we will poet one on to you.If not satisfied return within 7 days and money will be refunded.Justice Manufacturing Co.WILLIAMS VLACE.BALACLAVA VICTORIA..1951 WALLY CRICHTON and the Essendon FChttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23080434__________________________________________________GOODFOOD WEB SITE 2018https://www.goodfood.com.au/the-waiters-restaurant-melbourne/icon-review-the-waiters-restaurant-20180502-h0zj9uInstitutions don't get more iconic than the Waiters Restaurant.Most restaurant twitchers know the big anecdote. Back in 1978 one Amos Rodney Atkinson, a big fan of Chopper Read, went on a rampage involving a high-speed car chase that culminated in an all-night siege at the restaurant. At 1.15am he busted in with shotguns blazing demanding Chopper's release from Pentridge prison or lives would be lost.Thankfully, this was an era when Melbourne's naughtiest criminals still listened to their mums. Mother Atkinson was summoned and ended the siege by giving Amos a right what for – while dressed in her pyjamas.Known now as the Waiters Restaurant, it started life in 1947 as the Italian Waiters Club, a post-work clubhouse where the large contingent of Italian, Greek and Spanish waiters could come and play cards. Opened during the era of the six o'clock swill, when you couldn't get a drink in Melbourne after 6pm, the waiters, according to current (and second-generation) owner Denis Sabbadini, tapped into a winery source. Next, they added a single stove. Whispers spread. Non-waiters wanted in. A password was issued. And, at the top of a set of rickety stairs in Meyers Place, a pasta speakeasy was born.For the next 30 years, most of Melbourne's clued-up movers and shakers made the restaurant their late-night haunt. Politicians, police, gangsters, journos. It's rumoured the ownership of some of Melbourne's great restaurants changed hands in a round of cards. Sadly (maybe?) the infamous siege served to temper the wilder times...Famous diners: Paul Keating, Gareth Evans, everyone in politics in the '70s.Signature dishes: Veal saltimbocca; chicken livers; ox tail; spaghetti bolognese; tartufo..DIRECTORIES OF VICTORIA, MELBOURNE-SANDS AND KENNY, SANDS & MCDOUGALL_______________________________________________TRETHOWAN ARCHITECTURE, 2015. BOURKE HILL PRECINCT HERITAGE REVIEW20 Meyers Place 1868 Not listed20 Meyers Place 1875 Nicholas Lane - Nothing listed20 Meyers Place 1880 Not listed20 Meyers Place 1885 Not listed20 Meyers Place 1890 Not listed20 Meyers Place 1900 Hing Quong & Co. Cabinetmakers20 Meyers Place 1910 R.W Dimmit Magnet Motorcycle Works20 Meyers Place 1915 Edgar Owen Engineer & Machinist20 Meyers Place 1920 Edgar Owen Engineer & Machinist20 Meyers Place 1930 Not listed20 Meyers Place 1940 J.M Cook Printer20 Meyers Place 1950 W.R Crichton Caterer20 Meyers Place 1960Peters Sandwich BarFirenze Club20 Meyers Place 1970P.J SchneiderFirenze Club
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 106559 | 1 JPEG : 464 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |