BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

Lake County Mail, Issue 1, 29 May 1947, Page 5

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

It is pleasing to record that among recent improvements in the business section of the town is the reconstruction of the bakery and confectionery business of Mr. R. Robins, in Rees Street. It is little known that in the early days the present site of the bakery shop was occupied by the Victoria Hotel. When the latter was demolished, F. S't. Oner and sons were the first to establish a bakery on the site, and eventually Mr. Robins came into possession. After vexatious delays caused by labour difficulties, supply of materials, issue of permits, etc,, the present up-to-date premises has recently been completed, and it must be admitted is a great improvement on the old shop. The bakery at the back is also completely remodelled. Shoppers can now see the marked convenience over the old premises, and the beauty due to modern planning and building methods. The shop has been increased to double its former space, particularly the public area, where the new counters, with the built-in show eases, various slides and trays, besides shopping ledge on which the general public (not to mention, the busy housewife with her many parcels) can place anything while making purchases. The interior finish is of pinex above door height, which has been lined out in squares, while the dadp up to door height is in hand board. This is enamelled a light green shade to tone with the cream pinex frieze and ceiling. The shop front, set back on the footpath, has an unusual display window of semi-circular design. The front of the shop is finished in vitrolite, green and cream being the predominant shades, with black for relief. The whole effect is smart and pleasing, both when seen from inside the shop and from the street. The bakehouse floor space has also been considerably increased. A store room and staff change room is added which takes the place of an old stone oven, a relic of the very early days. In the bakehouse, space has been provided for additional machinery and a new oven. Built in ferro-eoncrete, roomy and equipped with modern appliances, the new bakehouse offers'great advantages over the old building. It should be mentioned that tubular heating is installed in the shop and a suspension verandah over the front of the shop gives protection from the weather. G. M, Butler and Son, Invercargill, were the contractors, Mr. A. G. Milne, Invercargill, the architect, and the sub-contractors were—painting, W. E. Robins; plumbing, D. Galbraith; electrical work, Gibson and Hanning; shop fittings, Georgeson Bros., Invercargill.