Astor Cafe

On Saturday 1 February 1930 George Nixon opened his branch shop, the Astor Cafe at street level on the corner of Ellenborough and Brisbane Streets  in the Queensland Times building. This location was sometimes referred to as "QT corner", and the shop as Nixon's Astor Cafe. The main shop was Nixon's Cafe in Brisbane Street, opposite Town Hall and next to Nolan's. Despite their close proximity, Nixon kept both shops trading. 

Nixon also owned a bakery in Market Lane, off Limestone Street, that supplied bakery goods to both his cafes. These were Nixon's Nourishing Cakes, made daily. The Astor sold milk shakes, sundaes, cold squash drinks, and luncheons as well. 

The Astor Cafe closed 5 May 1933, after only three short years in operation. Its short life may have been due to the Great Depression, and/or George Nixon's death in August 1931. At the time of its closure, Mrs V. J. Nixon appears to have been the proprietor. Nixon's Cafe continued to trade after this event. 

Fruit Mart was located next door to the Astor on Brisbane Street.