This shop and residence for Neil Mcleod and Bill Auger was built in 1928/9. It was used by the owners as a grocer and butcher shop under the trading name of McLeod & Auger. A small shack was added on the back of the land to be used as a residence leaving the whole other building as a shop. Between 1929 and 1933 people called Berryman and Ted Alderton lived in the shack.
The shop closed in 1935 but in 1936 Killerbys rented the building for a short while before setting up next to the newly completed Margaret River Hotel. In 1949 the shop was sold to Reg aand Barbara Pearce to be used as a residence until it was demolished in 1953. The land remained vacant until around the late 1970's when Mr Wells started to construct a new restaurant but was unable to complete it until new owners Ross McKenzie and Pat Ayres did so. They started an antique shop known as Tallwood House in 1985/6. Since then in 1990 the popular restaurant known as Arc of Iris has operated here plus a self service laundromat.
If you would like to learn more about the local history of Margaret River, visit The Old Settlement Museum down the river.
The old school, the group settlement house, the blacksmith workshop, and many other buildings with household items, tools and machinery offer an insight into the history of early life in the district and the families that once lived and worked the land.
For opening hours and information, visit mrdhs.com.au
References
Margaret River Town 1894-1984 by Mavis Wise
Margaret River Stories by Guy Jennings, ISBN 9780646575346
A History of the Catholic Community of Margaret River District by Merilyn Hutton
Margaret River & District Historical Society photo collection
John Alferink from my recollections of the town after being in the area for over 68 years, John Alferink 2021