Our History

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

Original Shingle Inn Interior

Original Shingle Inn Interior

In the Autumn of 1936 David Webster and Sons built the original Shingle Inn on Edward Street in Brisbane, Australia, with a vision for Shingle Inn to be an elegant English style teahouse and restaurant – one that would be renowned for its quality products and keen sense of style.

After trading for 66 years, Shingle Inn was forced to close it’s doors due to the development of an extensive shopping precinct in inner-city Brisbane.

The original interior was painstakingly packed, with each piece numbered to enable the store to one day be restored to its former glory.

That day came in April 2013 when, after considerable discussion between Shingle Inn and Brisbane City Council, the original store was rebuilt and reopened in Brisbane’s City Hall.

Restored Shingle Inn Interior City Hall

Restored Shingle Inn Interior City Hall

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

Modern Day Tastes Meet Traditional Favourites

shingle-inn-about

Shingle Inn’s much-loved products, which have been devoured by so many over the decades, are still sort after today, decades later.

To meet the needs of modern café culture, Shingle Inn has adapted over the years introducing new products and updating the elegant and luxurious surroundings in which customers enjoy our products, but without ever forgetting the heritage the brand has forged in over 80 years.

When, in December 2009, Shingle Inn opened the door of it’s first franchise and welcomed a new era of ‘family’ into the business it did so with the intent that these inherent brand values would continue to be upheld by the franchisees’ families who are now also shareholders in this historic journey.

With the opening of Shingle Inn Glenfield, we again open our arms to our New Zealand neighbours and welcome you to share in the next chapter of our story.

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