Olympia Cafe

It was early October 1915 when Bossey Martoo opened the Olympia Cafe Exchange in Brisbane Street, opposite St Paul's Church.  Martoo's store was also at this location in Brisbane Street, adjoining the North Star Hotel which stood on the northeast corner of Brisbane & Ellenborough Streets. To celebrate the opening of the cafe Frank George, a leading chef was engaged. Two private dining rooms were available for ladies. The menu consisted of ham & eggs, soup, tea & coffee, cocoa. Daily fresh fish, prawns and oysters were a feature.  Fruit and vegetables were sold. Martoo offered a "special rate for shop girls".

About 15 months later Martoo sold the Olympia Cafe Exchange to Messrs. Strategos & Co. It was renovated at this time and included confectionery and soft drinks in its range of refreshments. Sometime after this sale the cafe is known simply as the Olympia Cafe and by December 1920 it is operated by P. Spathis & Co. who also own West Moreton Cafe in Nicholas Street and Central Cafe in Brisbane Street. The Olympia is now touted as a popular confectionery store selling chocolates, lollies, sweetmeats and medicated pastilles. 

It was not long before more changes occurred to the Olympia Cafe. In September 1921 the cafe premises were taken over by Fifers who had an adjoining drapery store and needed to expand. The cafe would become Fifer's men's mercery and clothing department. As a consequence of this, O'Loan & Parkinson (Auctioneers) were instructed to dispose of all Olympia Cafe equipment and furnishings at an auction on the premises on Thursday 8 September 1921. 

Although that appears to be end of the Olympia Cafe, the name pops up again a few years later. In 1925 there is an Olympia Cafe in Nicholas Street owned by N. Sklavos. This establishment appears to trade until at least 1931 when it was serving three course meals, grills, fish and oysters.