The shop, built after the Gold Rush of 1885/6, was called “Ellis Mitchell Tailor’s,” with the “Grand Toilet Shop” next door. 

THE HISTORY OF THE ELLIS MITCHELL TAILOR'S BUILDING

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THE POST-GOLD RUSH ERA AND EARLY FASHION

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This commercial property was constructed shortly after the historic Witwatersrand Gold Rush of 1885 / 1886. Archival photographs reveal that the original business operating from the premises was "Ellis Mitchell Tailors," with the "Grand Toilet Shop" located directly next door. During this era, readymade clothing was not commercially available; residents relied on professional tailors or family members to handcraft their garments. Historical photographs of the last mail coach to pass through Heidelberg provide an accurate glimpse into the formal fashion trends of the period.

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THE MARKET SQUARE CROSSROADS

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The shop was strategically located on Market Street, directly opposite the original town Market Square. The civic landscape transformed significantly between 1938 and 1939. In 1938, marking the centenary of the Great Trek, Market Street was officially renamed Voortrekker Street. The following year, in 1939, construction began on the Heidelberg Town Hall, which was erected directly onto the old Market Square grounds.

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THE CENTRAL CAFE AND THE JACOB STREET HUBS

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Around the 1930s, the tailoring premises were converted into the "Central Cafe." The café most likely derived its name from other prominent landmarks clustering around the town's central trading hub. These included the "Central News Agency" (CNA) — which operated a storefront beneath the Grand Hotel — and the Central Hotel, located on the parallel side of the Market Square along Jacob Street.

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Sources: Archival photographs of the Heidelberg Mail Coach, the Grand Hotel, and the 1938 Voortrekker Street centenary records.