3-076-078 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

This two-storey Vernacular style shop and residence 49 James Street , Newfarm was built c1876 for Thomas Lawless who operated a French polishing and cabinet-making business from the lower storey and lived with his family on the top floor. By the early 1880s he had changed his business to a general produce store. By this time, a lot of the area surrounding the property was vacant and only a few shops and residences were located in this part of James Street. Lawless operated his business here until the mid-1910s since which time it has continued to be used for various commercial purposes.