Imagine standing on the corner of King and Latrobe streets in Melbourne. Right there, a treasure from a bygone era whispers its secrets. It is Russell’s Old Corner Shop, a structure that predates the gold rush and stands as a testament to Melbourne’s early beginnings. This building, dating back to 1851, has seen the city blossom from a fledgling settlement to the bustling metropolis it is today.
Russell’s Old Corner Shop has been a constant throughout these transformations. Built in 1851, it was originally a shop and dwelling, a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit that ignited Melbourne’s growth. Over the years, it has served as a news agency, a general store, and, famously, a cafe run by Lola Russell and her husband George Dixon. Lola, born in 1899, lived in the building for most of her life. She inherited it in 1970 and ran the cafe till 2017 when her husband passed away.
You might be surprised to learn that the building was once in a perilous state. The Latrobe Street wall leaned precariously, threatening to collapse. Thankfully, the City of Melbourne stepped in, bracing the wall and ensuring the historic building’s survival. Today, Russell’s Old Corner Shop stands as a symbol of Melbourne’s enduring history, weathered by time, but still standing tall.