Nixon's Cafe

Nixon's Cafe opened sometime between June and December 1925, in Brisbane Street. It was owned and operated by George Hamilton Nixon. He was in business with Edward Finch until June 1925. They had been partners in the Corona Cafe in Nicholas Street. 

Nixon's Cafe was located in Greenham's Chambers, opposite the Town Hall on Brisbane Street. Nolan's Pharmacy was next door. Until the end of 1926, the Blackall Memorial (or "the Fountain" as it was known locally) was  used as a landmark to locate the cafe. "The Fountain" was at the intersection of Nicholas & Brisbane Streets.

By 1929 a variety of local groups & businesses were meeting in Nixon's Cafe Hall, the room above the cafe, entered via Nicholas Street. The Lancastrians Society of Ipswich was one of these groups. Arthur Tilbury of Saxon School for Health and Strength was one of the businesses that used the premises. Nixon's Cafe Hall was also available for weddings. 

On Saturday 1 February 1930 Nixon opened his branch shop, the Astor Cafe not far away on Brisbane Street at the corner of Ellenborough Street, in the Queensland Times building. Nixon also owned a bakery in Market Lane, off Limestone Street,  that supplied bakery goods to both cafes. 

Nixon's served midday hot dinners, ice creams, malted milks, sundaes, pies, scones, sandwiches, black buns, and shortbread. They also had a drink fountain, and birthday and wedding cakes were produced. 

Nixon's Cafe continued to trade until at least 1954. This meant that they were a fixture in Brisbane Street for 30 years or more.