Copyright (1925) Veneris Family

Behind the soda fountain is Anthony Mavroumatis, and at the rear of the cafe, his sister Kyriakoula, and her husband Peter Veneris.

Separate dining rooms were provided at the rear of the cafe with a door for ladies on the left and gentlemen on the right.

From the NSW Heritage Office, Milkshakes, Sundaes and Cafe Culture Education Kit. (Final photograph).

"Peter had purchased the cafe, originally called the Paragon Saloon from Nicholas and Jim Katsoulis in 1919.

The soda fountain was patented in America in 1819 but in 1903 a revolution in design created the ‘frontservice’ fountain. These fountains were introduced to Australia around the early 1910's by Greek settlers who had experience of them in the United States".

Leonard Janiszewski & Effy Alexakis.

American Beauties at the Niagara:
The marriage of American food catering ideas to British-Australian tastes and the birth, life and demise of the classic Australian ‘Greek cafe’.

Essay published in:

Out There?
Rural and Regional Conference.
Papers presented at the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Conference
on 10 March 2003
National Trust Centre Observatory Hill, Sydney.