For July the Whakatane & District Historical Society’s Coffee and a Chat was held at the Museum and Research Centre, we reminisced about the 1950’s & 60’s Fish & Chip Shops and other eateries. Victor Luca came and gave us a history of the Lyric Cafe. His father came to Christchurch from Bulgaria in 1953.

He later worked in Gisborne. It was suggested he buy the Regent Cafe in Whakatane. He renamed it the
Lyric. It operated as the Lyric from 1960-1994 and was known for its large very good meals, and huge whitebait fritters. There were 25 tables, and on Friday nights it was always packed. Being near the grand Theatre, it was a successful business.

He  caught his own fish, and if weather prevented fishing, he would drive a truck to Gisborne to get more fish. The river at the time was at the back door. He exported crayfish in the early years.
Other discussed were the Rila Cafe, Golden Crust Bakery, Rainbow Home Cookery,
McGinty’s Home Cookery who had good pies, Wedgewood Reception Lounge, Fish Bar James Street, Silver Dollar Cafe and Takeaways, Drift Wood Canteen in Strand East, the Brown Owl in King Street, the Rite Spot in Bridge Street Edgecumbe.

The Historical Society and the Beacon invite readers to email their memories of these
places and any photographs to news@thebeacon.co.nz for a possible feature in
the Beacon newspaper.