'The Midway Shop', 132 Main Street, STAWELL

The former Midway Shop at 132 Main Street, Stawell, makes a significant contribution to the architectural and visual amenity of the predominantly 19th and early 20th century commercial streetscape. The form and rear sections of the building also contribute to the architectural amenity of the area. Built by 1935 for Miss Esther Dalkin who operated a ladies' wear shop, the building appears to be in fair condition when viewed from the front and rear. 

The former Midway Shop at 132 Main Street is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of an interwar Spanish Mission shopfront style.These qualities include the rectangular parapet with the elevated title panel that reads "The Midway Shop", together with the lower parapet ends capped in terra cotta Spanish tiles. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the symmetrical composition, single storey height, rendered or painted brick wall construction, large central incised semicircle and flanking smaller circles in the parapet, projecting cantilevering canopy, metal framed shopfront windows with a central ingo, timber framed and glazed door and the black glazed and light brown glazed tile surround. The rear skillion roof form, brick wall construction (including parapet wall), window openings and small cuboid wing also contribute to the significance of the place.

The former Midway Shop at 132 Main Street is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with commercial developments in Stawell during the interwar (1920s-1940s) period. In particular, this building has associations with Miss Esther Dalkin, original owner who had instigated construction before 1935. She operated a ladies' wear store in the building which was known as "The Midway Shop".

Overall, the former Midway Shop at 132 Main Street is of LOCAL significance.