THOMAS RIDGWAY STORE (FORMER)

The former Thomas Ridgway store, at 16 Bair Street, Leongatha, built in 1891, is significant. The single storey brick shop of Victorian origins has since been altered into an Interwar commercial-style shop. The building currently features a rendered parapet with 1939 Interwar awning and recessed entry. There have been alterations in 1937 after a major fire.

Any surviving internal Victorian features should be retained. Non-original alterations and additions, other than those specified above, are not significant.

The former Thomas Ridgway store at 16 Bair Street, Leongatha has local historic significance to the wider South Gippsland Shire and associative significance to early key figures in the settlement of Leongatha.

Historically, the former Thomas Ridgway store is one of the earliest commercial buildings in Leongatha, being built in 1890-91. This building was part of the earliest developments of the Leongatha commercial area. It was one of the first stores on Bair Street, following the opening of the South Eastern Railway in 1891. This building demonstrated the early commercial growth in Leongatha and South Gippsland more generally at this time. The building’s continued use demonstrates the longevity of these older commercial properties in larger towns within South Gippsland, such as Leongatha. (Criterion A)
The former Thomas Ridgway store is strongly associated with its original owner, Thomas Ridgway, who was well known in the South Gippsland region. In addition to the shop at 16 Bair Street Leongatha, Mr Ridgway also owned a large store in Mirboo North, where the main street is named in his honour. This building is part of Thomas Ridgway’s legacy in South Gippsland that reflects Ridgway’s commercial expertise within strong commercial precincts in the region. (Criterion H)