Bearkley's Cafe

Joseph Henry Bearkley became the proprietor of his mother-in-law's established business in Nicholas Street in March 1904. Mr  William & Mrs  Dudgeon had owned and worked the fruit shop since June 1890, having bought it from F. Blanchard. The shop sold fresh fruit and oysters and was to carry on with Mrs Bearkley in charge.

The Bearkleys lived in Limestone Street at this time.

One year later on Friday 17  March 1905, Bearkley opened an oyster saloon and fish shop in premises adjoining the fruit shop. These premises had previously been a hairdressing saloon. Bearkley had the shop divided into three sections: fish shop in front with two saloons behind this reserved for food consumption. This business was named the City Oyster Saloon.

In 1913 the fruit shop morphed into a cafe with a drinking fountain, and selling fruit, vegetables, confectionery, fruit juice, and ice cream. This new venture is located in essentially the same spot as the fruit shop.

On  Wednesday 15 April 1914 Bearkley opened a new dining room just up the street in Watson's building. By the end of that year Bearkley's Cafe and shop were operating from this location. The cafe had seating for 250. Banquet dinners, wedding breakfasts, and other catering were undertaken. Many local clubs and sporting teams held their annual dinners and meetings at Bearkley's including the miner's union, St Paul's Young Men's Society, West End Football Club, and, the Amateur Fishermen's Association. The venue was also popular for wedding receptions. Boxes of fruit were shipped to country customers.

The cafe closed June 1929 after much success. The business was sold to Mr Spreadborough of Thagoona. It was expected that Spreadborough would open an auction market on the premises however only a few weeks later in July 1929 Brisbane Cash & Carry, a self-service grocery chain, commenced trading from this location.