Morey & Son Building (1915)

In 1872 Walter Morey started trading as a 'draper and clothier' on this site in Devon Street. In 1902 he was joined in the business by his son J.C. Morey and the business became known as "Morey and Son". 

The building above was erected in 1915, designed by Mr J.T. Mannix and the contractors were Shaw and Payne. A building permit was issued on 26 July 1915 with the expected cost being £2,237. Mannix, the architect, called for tenders that same month and construction commenced soon after. 

The new shop opened to the public on 3 December 1915 and on 11 December 1915 the Taranaki Herald published a detailed description of the new building, describing it as a "handsome addition to the business premises of the town".

According to the N.P.D.C. 1995 Heritage Study, "Its value lies as a well proportioned building, with the exterior still in relatively original condition."

In October 1996, David Shearer (trading as Egmont Brewing Company), opened a new bar on the ground floor called The Thirsty Bull. The name of the company was a tribute to one of the early New Plymouth breweries, James Paul's Egmont Brewery, established in 1864. The design incorporated heritage features, with the brewing vats on full view to the patrons.

The bar closed suddenly in April 1998 and by June was on the market as creditors sought to recover money owing. By September it was announced that a new bar called The Duchess of Cornwall was to open shortly (Daily News, 3 September 1998). This too did not last long but the owners did donate a trophy for women's football, the 'Duchess Cup', which is still played for each season. In December 1999, the Daily News announced that the bar had a new owners and a new name, the Mexican-themed Areebar.

Following Areebar came the nightclub, Salvation, followed by the 4 Seasons restaurant in 2004 and in 2006, another restaurant, Simplicity.

At the time of the photo above (2011) The Garlic Press, which opened in 2009, occupied the ground floor. The Garlic Press closed down in January 2014, with owner Michael Williamson citing increasing costs and a lack of customers as the reason. In March 2014, Cafe Turquoise opened and it is still trading in 2023.