Advertising signs, corner of Lygon and Fenwick Streets, North Carlton

Renovations to the former grocery shop in 2010 uncovered colourful advertising images that had been hidden under layers of render for many years. Lux Flakes and Velvet Soap have been on the Australian market for more than a century and are now both brands of Pental Products Pty Ltd. Lux was originally manufactured by Lever Brothers and Velvet Soap by J. Kitchen & Sons of Port Melboure. J. Kitchen & Sons also manufactured Electrine Candles, advertised as “the finest candle in the world”. Hardy's Jelly Crystals and Butterfly Dutch Cocoa were products of local merchant R.J. Hardy & Co. Butterfly Dutch cocoa, as its name suggests, was imported from Holland, and R.J. Hardy & Co. was the local agent. Robert John Hardy began his business in a cottage at 216 Macpherson Street, Princes Hill, opposite the Melbourne General Cemetery. Hardy later moved to "Wahroonga", 870 Lygon street, North Carlton, while retaining the cottage and warehouse for business purposes. He died at "Wahroonga” in May 1937. Robert Hardy was a Melbourne City Councillor from 1915 to 1937 and the reserve on the northern boundary of the cemetery was later named Hardy Reserve, in memory of Councillor Hardy and his son Fred.

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