Monday 15 February 2010

Sunday in my City - Surviving with style


Established in 1895 by Gastav A. Zink, this elegant store is now owned and run by the Jones family who bought it from Thomas Zink in the late '50s. The much admired art-deco shopfront was added in 1937.

Old monochrome images sourced from City of Sydney:
Top: Zink's original store at 112 from 1895 to 1910
Mid left: Oxford Street from Hyde Park corner, prior to the widening showing the old Burdekin
Mid right: Oxford Street from Hyde Park corner, after the widening showing the new Burdekin (the council helped each pub rebuild on the same lot!)
Bottom: Aerial view in the '40s showing Zink's in the lower left
The comparison is a little presumptuous, but just as Paris was flattened and redesigned between 1852 and 1870 by Haussman, so was Sydney between 1909 and 1920, sadly sans le grand design! As mentioned with the post on Broadway, the 1909 Royal Commission determined that many streets needed to be widened or eliminated. Oxford Street was widened by resuming and flattening the entire north side of the street between 1910 and 1912. Some compensation was paid but not to Zink, who had to move a few doors down the street (from 112 to 56)and start over.


A member of the Sunday in my City community.

31 comments:

Maude Lynn said...

What a gorgeous storefront!

Vicki said...

The art deco shopfront is fabulous. I also love that the Jones family have retained the Zink and Sons name.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

I really like the deco/nouveau lettering and signs, especially the one that appears to be done in tile. Old photos are so great, especially when they have cars and people in them so you can easily tell the era.
Three Rivers Daily Photo

Sonya said...

Wow I just love the older photos! the storefront is just beautiful!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Great SIMC post! The old and the new photos are a great idea... and that store front for Mr. Zink-- stunning.

Thanks for sharing your City.
jj

Twincerely,Olga said...

great pics!!I love the older ones!! so neat to look at!

Unknown said...

Wow. Your pictures are beautiful! I don't think I have ever met you before Julie. So nice to meet you today. Thanks for showing us something cool in your city : )

Jim said...

Fantastic bit of history there Julie. I remember reading about this shop in the newspaper a while ago. You certainly did your research and found some really great old photos to put in your post.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Susan Ellis said...

Great shots of an exceptional example of mid 30's architecture.It's interesting that we all appear to appreciate this style so much but have accepted the mediocrity of big boxes and malls as today's norm.
Nice photo of you too!

dianasfaria.com said...

amazing history. I love the Zink mosaic.

Nancy C said...

One of my favorite things about your blog is how you juxtapose the old and new.

Flying Solo said...

Fantastic series! I love those old photos!

Ann said...

Now that one I recognise. Meant to ask - did you get into uni?

Birdman said...

Julie-
You've taught me a lot about your city. Love it!

Bruce Caspersonn said...

Nice "O" type tram there in Oxford Street. Notice how the trams are over the North side of the street. I think it's the north side.
Bruce.

Virginia said...

Lovely lovely store. I especially love the bottom shot. They don't make em like that anymore do they?
V

PJ said...

What an amazing retrospective. I'm very impressed that they've kept up the store front AND retained the original Art Deco details.
I love your new profile photo!

Bill said...

I love those old B&W and sepia pictures of years gone by. So glad the Jones family kept the Zink name, it shows respect.

Prairiemaid said...

Love the pictures. Super interesting post!

Marka said...

I like the variety of photos in this post. Though I do think the tailor is more than a bit above my tastes and budget.

Anonymous said...

What a joy it must be to live in this city, which is able to keep and to take care of its history and its people as well.

A wonderful start into the new week for you.

Woody said...

I'd love to see a new building with such a wonderful store front. Great collection Julie!

Unknown said...

Not many stores can claim this kind of longevity. As you probably know I have posted a lot of Tulsa's history in my other blog. The "then and now" photos are always very interesting.

Through your blog Sidney has gone from a name on a map to a very real and vibrant city. I would love to visit there. You are on my "bucket list".

brainella said...

I love the store front through time. Very cool.

Killara girl said...

ooo i love these photos...this store is dashing isn't it? I noticed 3 white rolls royces in front in the bottom pic and wonder what that story was, I mean some poor guy wasn't on his way from his wedding and realized he'd forgotten his suit.

love the way the council took care of the pubs! nothing like keeping business booming!

Anonymous said...

Travelling in the past, very interesting. You've changed your image, I didn't identify you when I saw your comment.
Bye Julie, see U next and I've choosed in my Black and White blog the picture you like most for my next competition. (les vélos)

4 Lettre Words said...

Such a lovely post!

Thank you for sending the warm weather our way. :o)

Julie said...

Just to correct something that Bruce said earlier. The trams are travelling closer to the southern side of the street. The tram tracks were there prior to the widening, hence post widening they appeared to be hugging the southern half of the road.

In the sepia shot of the 40s, we are looking up Oxford street (remember Sydney is on a series of ridges and gullies) and here we are looking UP towards the Darlinghurst ridge, ie we are looking east.

diane b said...

I'm glad the new owners kept the name and shop face as it was. You can certainly dig up interesting places. The old shots are vintage.

TheChieftess said...

Love the top and last photos!!! And I especially love the Jones family for maintaining the original name, and the gorgeous art deco facade!!! Well done to the Jones' and to you Julie!!!

ps---like the new photo...open and friendly!

Claudya Martinez said...

I love it when you do the old and new photos; it really gives a historical context.