The advent of shopping destinations and households having ready access to cars has seen the decline of local shopping precincts. Derby Road, Caulfield East is one of the many roads in Melbourne that have seen busier days. There are signs that this deserted shopping strip was once a vibrant place. Many shop fronts are now empty, and buildings that once were banks and hardware stores are now occupied by services — accountants, lawyers and architects — that typically use office space rather than street frontage to display products, produce and wares. One of the surviving stores in this precinct is the newsagent with a fine sample of signwriting on its northern wall. The type with its leaf like flourishes, smells of Art Nouveau styling which possibly dates the work around early 1900s. Yet the seven digit telephone number does bring into question whether this piece has enjoyed a little loving restoration. If there is a type nerd lurking out there that can fill in the gaps, a comment or two is beckoning.

For the design students at studying at Monash it is a five minute walk away. See location here