Former Shop, Corner of Canning and Pigdon Streets, North Carlton

You won't find instant coffee on the menu at Café BÜ, at the rear of 585 Canning Street, North Carlton. The prominent signage on the brickwork facing Pigdon Street harks back to an earlier time, when the convenience of instant coffee was valued over flavour.Until 1889, the corner site was vacant land owned by Thomas Allison. In July of that year, Mr Allison lodged a notice of intent to build "six 2-storey houses" on the corner of Canning and Pigdon streets. The buildings were designed by James Clarke and built by Donald McDonald. Construction work was still in progress in 1890, when the rate books listed three houses and a shop as "erecting" in Canning Street (nos. 579 to 585), and two houses around the corner in Pigdon Street (then nos. 87 and 89, now nos. 75 and 77). The shop began its life as a greengrocer in 1891, followed by a grocer and confectioner. In the second half of the 20th century, it was a milk bar. The milk signage is clearly visible at the front door and remnants of Bushells and Lanchoo tea signage can be seen in Pigdon Street and on the upstairs rear wall.

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