Comments from numerous sources re The Paragon – working at or visiting The Paragon.
Valerie Harrigan
I worked at the Paragon, ( weekends ) in the early 50's, loved the little bags of chocolates I took home on Sunday night. Paul Dylan Wentworth Sad to hear..the chocolate room had big marble slabbed tables for working the candy... pummeled and pounded with wooden bats... there were gas fired copper vats... the day I started I naturally asked if it was OK to sample the wares... sure they said... so I hoed down until I felt quite ill...
Cherylene Hanrahan
I loved working there with Irene Ficyk and Mrs Simos . Kathleen Hawkins my mum Joan MacMillan used to work there in the 80's making all the chocs herself by hand.
Carmel Forbes
I remember you and your cheeky face and the many fun times. You and John were amazing in what you cooked. The smell of that raisin toast wafting downstairs, the taste of the syrups in the milk shakes, my favourites were chocolate and banana....
Michael Hickey
My father told me a few stories about some of the fittings inside the Paragon. The ivory coloured wall carvings are not the originals. The originals were nude Olympic athletes but apparently they were a bit too naughty so dad had to pack them up and take them to an auction house in Sydney. Merilyn Seiler Ohhh I remember the Paragon. Could never forget the Paragon. I became hooked on their chocolate eclairs in about 1959. Nine pence they were.
Ann-Pete Westgate-Cook
Great history, thanks for all the details. My first job was at the Paragon Cafe in the early 70's. Tremendous learning experience. Easter weekends people were queued up down Katoomba Street for their chocolates, pies and sponge cakes.
Penny Mahairas
Amazing history. My father worked with Mr and Mrs Simos and managed the Paragon for many years in the 70 and 80's. He hand made the chocolates and I used to sit with him upstairs in the kitchen watching him melt and mould the chocolate as a child. So sad as dad has passed away now and I have never tasted such incredible hand made chocolates since then. Dad would tell me in those years the Paragon would make 500 meals a day. Those were the days.
Judy Williamson
My Mum lived and worked in Katoomba in the 1940’s including a stint at this Cafe. Married there in 1947 and moved away. She talked fondly of that time in her life.
Other short comments:
The Paragon was a "must visit" whenever we went to Katoomba. I dined there as a child, as did my children and grandchildren.
I've been there with my kids many times, it was one of the main reasons that I went to Katoomba for a train trip.
My two grand aunts, Alice and Enid Anderson were the first two people outside the Simos family to work at The Paragon in the 1920's.
Mum & dad had there wedding reception there.
I fell in love with the Paragon on my first visit to Australia over 30 years ago. My mum used to work there and it has lots of fond memories.
Valerie Harrigan
I worked at the Paragon, ( weekends ) in the early 50's, loved the little bags of chocolates I took home on Sunday night. Paul Dylan Wentworth Sad to hear..the chocolate room had big marble slabbed tables for working the candy... pummeled and pounded with wooden bats... there were gas fired copper vats... the day I started I naturally asked if it was OK to sample the wares... sure they said... so I hoed down until I felt quite ill...
Cherylene Hanrahan
I loved working there with Irene Ficyk and Mrs Simos . Kathleen Hawkins my mum Joan MacMillan used to work there in the 80's making all the chocs herself by hand.
Carmel Forbes
I remember you and your cheeky face and the many fun times. You and John were amazing in what you cooked. The smell of that raisin toast wafting downstairs, the taste of the syrups in the milk shakes, my favourites were chocolate and banana....
Michael Hickey
My father told me a few stories about some of the fittings inside the Paragon. The ivory coloured wall carvings are not the originals. The originals were nude Olympic athletes but apparently they were a bit too naughty so dad had to pack them up and take them to an auction house in Sydney. Merilyn Seiler Ohhh I remember the Paragon. Could never forget the Paragon. I became hooked on their chocolate eclairs in about 1959. Nine pence they were.
Ann-Pete Westgate-Cook
Great history, thanks for all the details. My first job was at the Paragon Cafe in the early 70's. Tremendous learning experience. Easter weekends people were queued up down Katoomba Street for their chocolates, pies and sponge cakes.
Penny Mahairas
Amazing history. My father worked with Mr and Mrs Simos and managed the Paragon for many years in the 70 and 80's. He hand made the chocolates and I used to sit with him upstairs in the kitchen watching him melt and mould the chocolate as a child. So sad as dad has passed away now and I have never tasted such incredible hand made chocolates since then. Dad would tell me in those years the Paragon would make 500 meals a day. Those were the days.
Judy Williamson
My Mum lived and worked in Katoomba in the 1940’s including a stint at this Cafe. Married there in 1947 and moved away. She talked fondly of that time in her life.
Other short comments:
The Paragon was a "must visit" whenever we went to Katoomba. I dined there as a child, as did my children and grandchildren.
I've been there with my kids many times, it was one of the main reasons that I went to Katoomba for a train trip.
My two grand aunts, Alice and Enid Anderson were the first two people outside the Simos family to work at The Paragon in the 1920's.
Mum & dad had there wedding reception there.
I fell in love with the Paragon on my first visit to Australia over 30 years ago. My mum used to work there and it has lots of fond memories.
