Time stands still on Tozer Street

Remember The Green Door Café? What are some of your favourite memories?

The Green Door Café, taken in 1982.

THE Sauer family own the buildings on the corner of Tozer St, among them the old Green Door Cafe.

The iconic Gympie building was built by Jim Gleeson in 1951 and opened the year after.

During its hey-day, the cafe was a popular spot for locals to come after going to "the pictures".

"In those days there wasn't any McDonald's or KFC. If you wanted something after the pictures, you came to the Green Door," David Lade, owner and operator of Sauer's produce said.

The cafe was a very popular due to its position on the corner of Station Rd, and being just a stone's throw from the old Gympie railway station, train travellers would often stop in for a bite.

"I remember they used to have pie eating competitions there," David said.

The Green Door was also a favourite spot for students from Gympie High to head to after school for a can of Coke and a sausage roll.

David said the old Green Door Cafe was the inspiration for the colour scheme of the recent facelift on all the buildings.

The sign writer also took inspiration from a photo of the Green Door while it was operational, which David acquired long after it closed in the early 90s.

"The (amateur) photographer was leaving town and brought the photo up and asked us if we'd like to buy it," he said.

The photo, thought to be from February or March of 1982, shows David's sisters-in-law, Christine and Julie Sauer walking up to see their dad, Kon, at the old Sauer's building.

The Green Door from the same angle as the 1982 picture as it appears today. Picture: Renee Albrecht

Also part of that block was the old Judo Club and a butcher's shop, originally owned by Alan Lobb from Mooloo.

Rumour has it that in addition to slaughtering, Mr Lobb was also an SP bookie, a fact that was backed up by newspaper articles of the time.

Before the Judo Club, Norm Brewer had a paint shop there.

Sadly, the buildings are now vacant, and aside from a new coat of paint, look almost the same as when they each closed down.

The high mesh windows of the butcher shop are still there, as is the wide barn-style door to the Judo Club.

Even the chalk board just inside the awning of the Green Door Cafe still says "sausages rolls - $1.00".