The Niagara Cafe: Australia’s oldest Greek cafe and milk bar reopens with new owners

·

The restoration of Australia’s last authentic Greek cafe in the New South Wales rural town of Gundagai is complete and a “soft opening” was held in early June.

The new owners of The Niagara Cafe have been trading Monday to Friday offering coffees and sweets to locals, with hopes to offer take-away meals and evening dining in the coming months.

Luke Walton and his partner Kym Fraser purchased the cafe from the Loukissas family in March last year after it had been on the market for a year and a half.

The cafe was established in 1902 by a Kytherian Greek, Strati Notara, and then continued with the Castrission family who installed the art deco interior and exterior in 1938.

The Loukissas family ran the cafe from 1983, making it the oldest Greek-run cafe and milk bar in Australia.

Now, with the renovations, many of the original art deco features have remained because the new owners said it was “vital to preserve them.”

“The key features of the place, the joinery and the main counter are from a 1938 fit-out,” Mr Walton told The Riot-Act.

Mr Walton also said he wants to make sure to celebrate the cafe’s unique heritage and make the venue into more of a tourist attraction.

“It was a community hub really – I think there were even wedding breakfasts and first communion breakfasts here – that’s what we’d like to see it become that again,” Mr Walton said.

“Gundagai is a very friendly town, so there’s a lot of travellers coming to stay. So I hope it is a mixture of both.”

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘Una Faccia, Una Razza’: The politics of memory and the power of saying ‘OXI’

The annual homage to “OHI” Day stems from Greece's Prime Minister Metaxas firmly stating “OHI” (NO) to Mussolini's request.

The Master Miller and the art of olive oil perfection

The Master Miller’s mission has its roots in a philosophy that begins at the olive tree and reaches the heart of those who seek quality.

Brain regain: For the first time in 14 years, more people return to Greece than leave

For the first time in over a decade, Greece is witnessing a positive migration balance as more Greeks return home than emigrate.

When everyday Greeks said OXI: Resistance and survival during World War Two

“Aera!” (Air!) roared Greek soldiers as they clawed over jagged rocks on the brutal Pindus Mountains during Italy’s 1940 invasion.

Botanical Park of Crete: Rooted in fire, inspiring hope

The October 2003 fire started with electrical cables in a village near the Marinakis family’s olive groves.

You May Also Like

Greece face Serbia in FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships final

Serbia will face defending champions Greece in the final of the biennial FINA World Men's Junior Water Polo Championships at Kuwait City.

Margaret Skagias receives Community Recognition statement for CaringKids

Margaret Skagias has been awarded a Community Recognition Statement for her work with CaringKids, a charity dedicated to supplying toys for youth carers.

BREAKING: Up to 90 jobs saved as AAP Newswire to continue under new owners

The newswire would now continue operating as AAP and provide breaking news, public interest journalism, sports coverage and news photography.