Only Melbourne on Twitter Counter.com

Russell's Café


Widely regarded as Melbourne’s oldest residence, Russell's Café stands on the corner of King and LaTrobe Street.

Built in 1851, Russell's Café is one of the few remaining buildings from before the goldrush.

Russell's Old Corner Shop


Have you ever noticed the tiny two-storey 1850s store and residence, now Russell's Old Corner Shop on the corner of Latrobe and King Streets? It was built before the days of the gold rush and is only one of a handful of buildings in Victoria that remain as tangible reminders of that era.

Today it is overshadowed by surrounding high-rise buildings constructed more than a century later. Visitors marvel at just how it has withstood the development pressures of the last 156 years, the nearby construction of the underground rail loop, and the rumble of semitrailers that thunder by on King Street each day.

Meet the proprietors Lola Russell and George Dixon and you will begin to understand how.
They love this building and their persistence and struggle against financial hardship to survive into the next century has been remarkable.

The building has been owned and operated as a corner store by Lola Russell's family for over a 100 years. Her grandfather, Valetta Azzopardi purchased the property in 1899 and set up a news agency / general store. Lola was born there and took over the then turned mixed business with her husband George when her father died in 1969.

According to Lola, the building that was originally built as a 4-roomed cottage has had quite colourful history; it used to house a pharmacy, laundry, haberdashery and holds evidence that suggest that it was also one of Melbourne's first maternity hospitals. Some old layers of paint on the building reveal writing stating that Dr Cook was in residence as a chemist and apothecary.

With the development of the surrounding areas, the construction of the underground rail loop, and the heavy ruck traffic going right past it, by the late 80's the building was falling to pieces. The side walls were collapsing, roof was leaking, and the building was sinking. Deciding it was time to act, Lola and George invested a substantial amount of their superannuation money into a large-cale restoration project that kept their business closed for 12 months which added extra financial pressure.

Describing those times, George recounts the discovery of a door at the front of the building on King Street that they never knew existed. It was uncovered complete with a key left in the keyhole, untouched for over a 100 years. According to Lola and George it is discoveries like this that make all the sacrifices and hard times all worth it.

Lola and George are still operating out of their residence / corner shop, and I recently payed them a visit for a bit of a photographic exploration as well as a good history lesson over a cup of tea.
text edited from a historic buildings council article



 Corner King Street and LaTrobe Street,  Melbourne Victoria  Australia | MapMap opens in new browser window

Web Links

Melbourne Link Russell's Café Link opens in new browser window

Melbourne Link www.walkingmelbourne.com







View all (4) Comments


NormieBoy writes:
Posted on 8:40 AM October 23, 2012
Hiya. Wondering if this is the same Miss Lola Russell that taught at Coburg Tech. for a short time late 50's or early 60's. She was such a stunner I can't remember what she taught. Could have been English or something similar.
Barbara writes:
Posted on 1:28 PM July 8, 2011
Hi- you are an inspiration! Miss Russell, you taught me back in 1966 at WGHS- ohhh, those were the days. You gave IVG a real rocket for our misbehaviour one day and we never forgot it!!! Keep up the great struggle against modernisation.
An admirer writes:
Posted on 1:30 PM May 18, 2011
What a heart warming story, it must have been so tempting to just sell to developers, good on you for keeping the wonderful little building there
Jaideep Talukdar writes:
Posted on 1:32 AM May 14, 2011
Hello George and Lola, hope you get this, very excited to see that you are still around and running the cafe. Best wishes, this is your friend Ranjit Talukdar's son, Jaideep, currently in the US, soon to relocate to India. Hope I can visit sometime, looks exciting !

View all (4) Comments




Add Your Comments
1200 characters left

BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGEView Listings In Same Topic | View More Listings in Melbourne  TOP OF THIS PAGE




Is this your information or business? | Update This Information

What's On Date Selector
Select a date to see What's On In Melbourne


Check Out..
Good Beer Week 2013
View Good Beer Week 2013
Good Beer Week is back from 18th - 26th May with over 140 events listed and 115 venues taking part across Melbourne and regional Victoria. We're back!!!!! And if the early buzz is anything to go ...

The Long Walk | Walk to the G
View The Long Walk | Walk to the G
Join Michael Long at the community celebration before The Long Walk to Dreamtime at the 'G. The annual commemoration of his historic walk to Canberrra is now a popular celebration of Aboriginal ...

Most Viewed Events
 Greatest Athlete Greatest Athlete
 What's On this Week | May 21 - May 27 What's On this Week | May 21 - May 27
 Matt's Homes & Outdoor Designs Matt's Homes & Outdoor Designs
 Australian Maintenance Solutions Pty Ltd Australian Maintenance Solutions Pty Ltd
 Aaron's Amusements Aaron's Amusements
 Southam Studios Southam Studios
 Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
 Phillips Shirts Phillips Shirts
 Heritage Brands Heritage Brands
 Pud for All Seasons Pud for All Seasons

Featured Advertiser
Tablemates | Melbourne's Premier Dinner Club
View Tablemates | Melbourne's Premier Dinner Club
Tablemates, Melbourne’s Premier Dinner Club has been established since 1994. Our successful dinner club has been the secret behind many success stories of our members meeting new friends or ...

Resilience & Confidence Programs | Boys & Girls
View Resilience & Confidence Programs | Boys & Girls
Resilience and Confidence programs for young people Aged 5-6, 7-10, 11-14 and 15–19. Location: Brighton, Melbourne. LONGFORD & FRASER Leadership Academy for Boys BOYS: ...

Katie & Jane | Jewellery Making Parties
View Katie & Jane | Jewellery Making Parties
Katie and Jane | Makers of Hand-Crafted Jewellery and Accessories. Katie and Jane are Melbourne jewellery designers who create a wide range of quality handmade jewellery and accessories, using a ...

Editor's Pick
MobiCity
View MobiCity
MobiCity is Australia's No. 1 online mobile phone store, specialising in the best Smartphones, NextG, 4G LTE, Android Phones, Tablets, Phablets and ...


What's On Newsletter
Get our free newsletter every Tuesday.
Enter your email address in the box below...

Read | Newsletter This Week
Read This Week In Melbourne
Read This Week's list of Things To Do in Melbourne including all the major events, festivals, exhibitions, markets and family fun happening this week in Melbourne ...Read Here

Hot Comments
 Greatest Athlete Greatest Athlete
 Southern Star Observation Wheel Southern Star Observation Wheel
 Biggest Aussie Pie Night Biggest Aussie Pie Night
 3000 Melbourne Magazine 3000 Melbourne Magazine
 Public Holiday | Victoria 2013 Public Holiday | Victoria 2013
 Japan Festival 2013 Japan Festival 2013
 Footy @ Channel 7 Footy @ Channel 7
 Footy @ Channel 7 Footy @ Channel 7
 Footy @ Channel 7 Footy @ Channel 7
 UFO Sighting | Melbourne UFO Sighting | Melbourne