Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Vinnies Op Shop, Edithvale

Vinnies, Edithvale

This stylish building in Edithvale is a Vinnies Op Shop. A charity shop operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society. I've always called the St Vinnies but they've gone a step further and dropped the Saint.

I don't know what it was originally but it is good to see in still being used and well maintained.

Update - 19 March 2009
Thanks to a comment by Robin below and an article from the Herald 20 Nov 1940 which he has uncovered, I now know that the building was the Unity Theatre seating 500 and a lodge room built for the Manchester Unity IOOF as alterations and additions to their existing building and designed by architect Robert LePoer Terry. Thanks Robin, you're a star.
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8 comments:

  1. rob (moderne melbourne)March 19, 2009 at 10:07 AM

    Hi Dave the building was constructed in 1940 as the Unity Theatre for the Manchester Unity IOOF. It contained a smallish (500 seats) theatre on the ground floor, an upstairs lodge room and a shop at the streetfront. Original surface was buff coloured cement with redbrick highlights (I really like it in white!) Architect was Robert LePoer Terry who did a number of theatres and commercial buildings.
    regards Robin

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  2. David ThompsonMarch 19, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Thanks Robin
    You really do know every art deco building in Melbourne. You should write a book. :-) Are we allowed to mention that yet?

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  3. AnonymousJuly 9, 2009 at 10:01 AM

    Hi
    The people that use to live next door to me ran a fashion house from this building befor it was vinnies.

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  4. David ThompsonJuly 9, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    Thanks for the info. It's nice to fill in a bit more of the history. Do you know what the fashion house was called?

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  5. AnonymousMarch 17, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    The moment I saw this building from the train to Frankston I knew it had all the hallmarks of cinema.
    I think ill get off at Edithvale station and pay a visit to vinnys.Sadly, I dont think iwill find much internally ,but who knows .thanks for the photo

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  6. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 3:20 PM

    Made it to Edithvale s` Unity Theater (vinnys).Was talking to 2 Vinnys shop attendants` and they do remember when it was a cinema.All those years ago. It must have been the prettiest girl on the block ! Although small(500 max),They pointed out the ticket box/Managers office and the connecting internal shop, where you'd get your Jaffers and ice creams at intervals,Still there ... And still some signs of its "glory days" in the basic Art Deco plaster work around in front foyer area and around the walls in the main part of the once theater. but internally has been a factory,hence windows in main auditorium part,up stairs and downstairs .Had a fire a some stage,Asked about up stairs which is not accessed by public,was told it was all modified. ....Hmm.. Maybe it hasn't been ,And maybe no ones been up there in the dress circle for 60 years I'm Imagining original Art deco lights and wall scones,plaster reliefs still in tact all there in the dark.....But anyhow Yes there are some good bargains to be had At the old Unity Theater Edithvale And some history lessons for free!

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    Replies
    1. David ThompsonMarch 28, 2012 at 4:02 PM

      Thanks for the update. Now I'm going to have to go down there and have a look around. I haven't been inside for ages.

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