Historical information

The Classic Restaurant, located in Swanson Street next to Young and Jacksons Hotel, was one of the many businesses owned by Ithacans in Melbourne's CBD. Nakis Raftopoulos ran the business during the 70 & 80s up until the property was sold and became a fast food chain outlet. The building has since been demolished as part of Melbourne's Metro Tunnel project.

Significance

Many Ithacans who settled in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century opened restaurants In the CBD. From the 1950s onwards the number of these Ithacan owned businesses gradually declined and by the 1970s very few remained. The Classic Restaurant was one of the last remaining establishments in the CBD owned and operated by an Ithacan.

Physical description

A black and white photograph of the Classic Restaurant. It is a two storey building large printed letters spelling out the name of the business on the first floor of the building. Three sedans are in front of the building and two people are standing at the tram stop opposite the building.

Inscriptions & markings

Painted on the second storey of the building: CLASSIC RESTAURANT/ GROUND FLOOR/ COFFEE LOUNGE.