Brisbane’s Sweet History — the Chocolate Factories and the Factory That Never Made a Lolly!
Imagine walking through Brisbane a century ago, when the smell of freshly made sweets and confectionery drifted from factories and shops around the city.
Brisbane has a delicious history of confectionery manufacturing - and some of the buildings connected with that story are still standing today!
BOND’S SWEETS — A FACTORY THAT NEVER MADE A SWEET!
Robert Bond, a Greek immigrant, established Bond Sweets in Brisbane in the mid-1930s as a sweet and cake shop. The business expanded rapidly and moved into confectionery manufacturing during the mid-1940s.
In 1947, Bond acquired two blocks of land at the corner of Melbourne and Manning Streets, South Brisbane, for a new confectionery manufacturing plant.
Architect and engineer Oliver Coleman designed the building, and in 1948 a permit was granted for a modern factory estimated to cost £12,000.
H. Sandham and Son secured the construction contract, but the project took several years to complete. By the time the building was finished in late 1951, the cost had risen to around £40,000.
But there was a heartbreaking twist.
Robert Bond died in July 1951 - before he could see his new factory completed.
And despite being designed as a confectionery factory, Bond Sweets never actually used the building.
The completed building was sold later in 1951 to Demco Machinery Company and was sold again in 1954. Universal Pictures subsequently used it as a film store.
Today, the former Bond’s Sweet Factory at 164 Melbourne Street remains an important example of Brisbane’s post-war industrial and Art Deco heritage.
PLUMRIDGE — FORTITUDE VALLEY’S CONFECTIONERY PAST
Fortitude Valley was another important centre of Brisbane’s confectionery manufacturing.
Bouchard, Plumridge and Rankin Brothers first appear in the Brisbane Post Office Directories in 1901 at 41 Susan Street, Fortitude Valley. The business was renamed Bouchard and Plumridge in 1911 and became Plumridge Ltd in 1912.
The brick factory at what is now 188 Barry Parade was built in 1900–1901. Another adjoining factory building was constructed in 1921.
In 1936, Plumridge purchased 166 Barry Parade and moved its operations there, while the older 188 Barry Parade building was leased to Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company.
Together, these buildings provide a fascinating glimpse into Fortitude Valley’s early twentieth-century industrial and confectionery history.
CHOCOLATE FOR THE TROOPS
Chocolate was also part of Brisbane’s First World War story.
A wonderful photograph preserved by the State Library of Queensland shows sisters Peg Agnes and Vi Deviney selling cards and sweets in Queen Street, Brisbane, around 1917 to assist the Comforts Fund.
And look closely at their display - boxes of Cadbury chocolates can be seen in the tray at the front.
It’s a wonderful little snapshot of how chocolate and confectionery had already become part of everyday Australian life during the First World War.
From small sweet shops to large factories, Brisbane’s confectionery story is full of entrepreneurs, migrant business owners, workers and businesses that helped satisfy generations of sweet tooths.
OVER TO YOU!
Do you remember an old Brisbane chocolate shop, lolly factory or favourite childhood sweet?
Maybe you remember a brand that has disappeared, or a shop where you could spend a few pennies and walk out with a bag full of treats!
We’d love to hear your memories in the comments.
And if you enjoyed this little journey into Brisbane’s sweet past, please give it a like or share - it helps us keep these forgotten stories alive!
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[Images: Sisters Peg Agnes and Vi Deviney - Public Domain - State Library of Queensland - All other images - The Dave & Malou Channel]
Want to discover more about Queensland’s delicious chocolate history?
Web Link: https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/
Head over to State Library of Queensland and search “Chocolate” - you might be surprised by the stories, photographs and treasures you can uncover!
Sources: Brisbane City Council - Bond’s Sweet Factory (former), Brisbane City Council - Plumridge Ltd Building No. 2, State Library of Queensland - Chocolates for Soldiers, State Library of Queensland - Queensland Soldiers’ Comforts Fund Report, Greek Cafés in Brisbane - Bobby Bond: Brisbane’s Willie Wonka
