Twenty Five Cents a Plate at Mrs. Laurie’s Bakery and Confectionery

Mrs. Laurie’s Bakery and Confectionery 3 storey white brick building was erected in 1886 on Gore Street in Perth. Baking and candy making were done in the basement where the bake ovens were. Next to store was a neat restaurant in which oysters, ice cream and fruit were served with bread, cakes and pastry along with maybe a bottle of Ginger Beer. She began her business in 1858 and was operated by Jane Laurie and her daughter Margaret McCormack. Her daughter died in 1925 and Jane sold the business in 1925 and died the same year at age 90. In 1975 the Laurie store was combined with the adjoining store in the Drennan Block and Stedman’s took over that location.

In 1876 on Dominion Day 500 hundred strong of the Queen’s Army were coming to Perth but not one of the 8 hotels in Perth would undertake the task. The only condition was that the councillors would provide the tables, Shaw’s of Perth would supply the linen tables and Arthur Meigan and Brothers all the dishware,

Local ladies made the potatoes, Jane Laurie baked and sliced 125 loaves of bread, boiled beef and ham, and buns were baked along with 125 pies. On top of this came dozens and dozens of Mrs. Laurie’s fried cakes. The soldiers arrived at noon and had a massive feast. Jane Laurie had pulled it off– for 25 cents a plate and leaving her a tidy profit of $62.25.