This was a small Shop in 91a Argyle Street, Parramatta. Just two doors south from Elton Ward Photography shop.This small shop was highly recommended during mid-1950s in the section “Let’s go shopping with Marguerite” in the Cumberland Argus in 1956. She listed some of the imported products available such as cheeses from countries like Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, France, Norway and Holland.
Baltia advertisement, The Cumberland Argus, Parramatta Wednesday 11 April 1956, p.11
It also offered a large variety of hams like leg ham, rolled, pressed and smoked hams, tinned ham as well as salamis, smoked fish, tinned salmon, crab meat, various Japanese salmons, sauces, wine and all kind of other local and imported delicacy products. There was a special emphasis in the home-made cakes, as well as all the necessary products for parties, picnics or special occasions.
This image above gives us an idea of how this shop looked inside and people that use to attend costumers. It is particularly interesting to see tins and jars on shelves and the dry meats hanging from the sealing. This shop was still working in 1961 when this photo was taken. Baltia sold the premises in 1969.
Maribel Rosales, Image Technician, Parramatta City Council Heritage Centre, 2014
References
Let’s go shopping with Marguerite”. The Cumberland Argus, Parramatta Wednesday 4 March 1959, P.7
Baltia advertisement, The Cumberland Argus, Parramatta Wednesday 11 April 1956, p.11