Nicoberg Coffee Lounge's Final Days

Description

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 14 August 1987 with the caption: "Recollection tinged with sadness marked the first-ever meeting today of former Nicoberg Coffee Lounge owner Vic Holmes and present owner Betty Green (pictured above). It was the last chance for a cup of coffee in the lounge. Mrs Green says she's been forced to close by a 300% rate hike. The lounge was the "in" place to be in the 1960s. Before pub hours were stretched to 10pm, the coffee bar was the hub of city nightlife. A stage in the corner saw many impromptu performances from acts visiting the city, which headed to the Nicoberg after their shows. The Seekers and James K Baxter were among some of its guest performers and the Folk Music Club also held meetings on Sunday nights. With the Teachers' College just over the road, it was a popular student hangout and with "courting couples". Mr Holmes ran the Nicoberg (named after the two original owners) for 16 years from about 1964. Mrs Green had owned it for the last 5 1/2 years. Both are sad about it closing. They say it is a part of the city's history which is ending, one that will be remembered and missed by many people."

Identification

Object type

Image

Identifier

2017-20

Archive

Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection

Relation

2017-20

Date

August 1987

Digitisation id

2017N_2017-20_022239

Format

B&W negative

Held in

Other