Coffee Palaces were developed throughout Australia with the backing of the Temperance Movement as an alternative venue to pubs in the late 19th century. Two Coffee Palaces identified in Wodonga in the early days were the Railway Coffee Palace and the Wodonga Coffee Palace. In 1908 Wodonga Coffee Palace was advertised for sale, having 15 rooms, a 15 stall stable and feed-room. In 1921 Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Julia Ronan who had successfully conducted the dining rooms at the Wodonga Sale-yards for 15 years. The building of the Hume Weir was in progress and many of the workers boarded at the Coffee Palace. In 1936 Wodonga Coffee Palace became “Glenburnie” Guest House. Mr. Loftus Henry Moran, born in Winchelsea, Victoria, was well-known in the tea trade, originally working with Griffiths Bros Ltd. He started his own business, Loftus Moran Pty Ltd in 1909. Loftus Moran's company imported chinaware from Britain and sold it into the Australian market. They specialised in supplying to hotels, businesses and institutions.This bowl is an excellent example of earthen ware items used throughout Australia in hotels, cafes and other institutions. Loftus Moran Pty Ltd, was a major distributor and successful Melbourne Company. Mrs. Ronan's Coffee Palace was an important business in Wodonga and an alternate food and accommodation venue for those who preferred not to stay in public houses or hotels.A small white bowl bearing the logo of Ronan's Coffee Palace in Wodonga printed in green.In a scroll at the top edge "RONAN'S COFFEE PALACE" Underneath the bowl in green writing below a green crown "GRINDLEY HOTEL WARE/ENGLAND/VITRIFIED/LOFTUS, MORAN/ MELBOURNE"coffee palace, wodonga business, wodonga, mrs. ronan wodonga, 1920s wodonga

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Typed below one copy: "Three solid banks - and more coming. Banks don't build premises like this in suburbs without a future. Take the Hint". Written on back of this photograph: "State Savings Bank, Bank of Victoria, Mechanics Institute, E.S. & A. in 2 storey Bld. 1924." Written on rear of backing sheet of other photograph, "1924, SSB Bank, Bank of Victoria, Ringwood Hall, shops then Coffee Palace and E.S. & A. Bank".

Also copy 13.5 x 20 cmBlack and white photograph of the western view of the Esplanade, also known as Cunninghame, showing early business houses, and residences. Included is Mrs Gleeson's Boarding House, William Barke's store, Heyfield Coffee Palace, butcher shop. Three small jetties, one substantial jetty and two small boats beside lake. Lakes Entrance Victoriatownship, waterfront, retail trade, jetties