cRewind021222A
The ancestor of the Panama Store was the Panama Refreshment Tent which opened in 1854 to service the needs of the diggers. This building located halfway between Castlemaine and Chewton replaced the tent and opened its doors in late 1859. It was one of the earliest permanent shops on the Forest Creek Goldfield. The business finally closed its doors around the time of the First World War and for many years it was used as a residence. In 1970 the building was purchased by Mrs Bridgeland who opened a restaurant called Bridge’s Kitchen. In 1972, Lyn and Rene Willan purchased the property and the business, and during their occupancy, Bridge’s Kitchen became one of best known and most respected restaurants in country Victoria offering a French style cuisine attracting many customers from Melbourne.
cRewind021222A
The ancestor of the Panama Store was the Panama Refreshment Tent which
opened in 1854 to service the needs of the diggers. This building located halfway between
Castlemaine and Chewton replaced the tent and opened its doors in late 1859. It
was one of the earliest permanent shops on the Forest Creek Goldfield. The business
finally closed its doors around the time of the First World War and for many years it
was used as a residence. In 1970 the building was purchased by Mrs Bridgeland who
opened a restaurant called Bridge’s Kitchen. In 1972, Lyn and Rene Willan purchased
the property and the business, and during their occupancy, Bridge’s Kitchen became
one of best known and most respected restaurants in country Victoria offering a French
style cuisine attracting many customers from Melbourne.