Brisbane’s oldest and most loved cafe, the Shingle Inn at City Hall, has unveiled a display of vintage hats from a private Brisbane collection to celebrate our nation’s favourite horse race, Melbourne Cup.

The vintage hat display, which launches today, features designs from the 1930s, the decade the Shingle Inn was first opened, to the present day.

Guests at the Shingle Inn City Hall Melbourne Cup High Tea, to be held next Tuesday 1 November 2016 from 12pm – 3pm, will hear the stories behind the hats from the collector herself.

At the Shingle Inn Melbourne Cup High Tea, guests will enjoy a selection of ribbon sandwiches, freshly baked traditional scones with clotted cream and luscious strawberry preserve, selection of the iconic Shingle Inn cakes and sweets, and choice of beverages from an extensive range of international teas or coffee.

Guests will also enjoy sweepstakes, gift bags, prizes for best dressed and watch the “race that stops the nation” on the big screen.

As a family-friendly destination, pre-school children are also welcome to attend with a special Teddy Bear High Tea on offer that includes an activity pack.

Bookings are essential and the restaurant will be closed during this time for those who haven’t purchased a ticket.

Date: Tuesday 1 November 2016
Time: 12noon – 3pm
Where: Shingle Inn City Hall
Cost: $95 all-inclusive per adult, $25 per child
To book tickets: Phone: 3210 2904 or visit www.shingleinncityhall.com/reservations
Born in the Autumn of 1936, in the midst of the Great Depression, Shingle Inn is more than just a business; it is a fascinating part of Australia’s, and more specifically Brisbane’s, local history.
The iconic Shingle Inn has a special place in the heart of many people who grew up and live in Brisbane, sharing special moments while devouring their decadent, delicious products which are still produced today, by hand using traditional ingredients, by the team of bakers at that Shingle Inn bakery located at Capalaba.

On 3 August 2002, the Bellchambers family were forced to close the doors on the beloved Shingle Inn on Edward St due to the Queens Plaza redevelopment.

The citizens of Brisbane united in support of this beloved family business so the decision was made to keep the iconic interior in storage until the cafe could be reopened.

In a painstaking effort, every detail of the cafe fit-out was catalogued and photographed at it was dismantled so that when the time came to put the pieces back together, it was possible.

On June 4 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, gifting the original store fit-out to the people of Brisbane, to be restored within another Brisbane icon, City Hall, allowing future generation to experience the history and grandeur of the Shingle Inn.

Original components of the salvaged Shingle Inn featured at Brisbane City Hall include: booth tables and seating; timber veneer wall paneling; Shingle cladding and leadlight windows – where the Shingle Inn got its name from; the mock Tudor timberwork, including decorated timber ceiling beams and half timbering to walls; refurbished wall and ceiling mounted light fittings.

From the humble beginnings of this one iconic store that stood alone for 66 years, the Shingle Inn has now grown into a franchise network of 53 cafes throughout Australia in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and WA.

Only one year separates the beginning of two iconic and much loved brands – with 1935 marking the year Monopoly sold its first commercial version and 1936 the year when Shingle Inn opened its first café in Brisbane.

So it is fitting that in Shingle Inn’s 80th anniversary year that its original store, now situated in City Hall, is one of the locations to be featured on Brisbane Monopoly – with all locations announced earlier today.

In April this year Brisbane residents were invited to suggest Brisbane properties via the Brisbane Monopoly Facebook page and Shingle Inn’s loyal customer base were quick to respond with multiple votes.

Owners of the Shingle Inn, the Bellchambers family, say they are honoured to be featured on the Brisbane edition of the world’s most popular board game.

“Shingle Inn is thrilled to be part of a board game that embodies the key landmarks of Brisbane,” Andrew Bellchambers said.

Andrew’s brother Peter Bellchambers explained further: “Shingle Inn has been a part of the city’s heritage and growth for 80 years.  With generations of families sharing traditions within our café, and developing lifelong memories as a result, the brand, like Monopoly, has created a special place in the hearts and minds of residents and visitors alike.”

Born in the Autumn of 1936, in the midst of the Great Depression, Shingle Inn is more than just a business; it is a fascinating part of Brisbane’s history with a unique story to share.

From the humble beginnings of one store that stood alone for 66 years has grown a franchise network of 53 cafes throughout Australia in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and WA.

The iconic Shingle Inn has a place in the heart of many people who grew up and live in Brisbane and many of the decadent, delicious products which have been devoured by so many over the decades – are still produced today, from scratch, by the Shingle Inn bakery located at Capalaba.

On 3 August 2002, the Bellchambers family were forced to close the doors on the beloved Shingle Inn on Edward St due to redevelopment. The city of Brisbane was devastated, so the decision was made to keep the iconic interior in storage until the beloved cafe could be reopened. In a painstaking effort, every detail of the cafe fit-out was catalogued and photographed so when the time came to put the pieces back together, it was possible.

On June 4 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, gifting the original store fit-out to the people of Brisbane, to be restored within another Brisbane icon, City Hall, allowing future generation to experience the history and grandeur of Shingle Inn.

Original components of the salvaged Shingle Inn featured at Brisbane City Hall include: booth tables and seating; timber veneer wall panelling; Shingle cladding and leadlight windows – where the Shingle Inn got its name from; the mock Tudor timberwork, including decorated timber ceiling beams and half timbering to walls; refurbished wall and ceiling mounted light fittings.

ENDS