Following a major fire in 1912, this structure was built for C.W. Cahill the next year and became known as the "Cahill Block". Cahill had a dry goods store, while the second floor, accessed by an interior stairway, housed the Cahill Millinery Parlours.

Melbourne Goodwin, owner of Mel's Tea Room which first opened its doors in 1919, purchased the Cahill Block in 1944 and relocated the Tea Room to this location in 1945.

Mel's Tea Room is a good example of Classical Revival commercial architecture from the early 20th century. The large two-storey building is constructed of brick and local stone and exhibits large display windows and recessed doorway. The renovations, which took place in the 1940s as a result of the relocation of Mel's Tea Room to this location, included the installation of neon signs and Carrera glass. An entrance to the second floor allowed for an Art Moderne rehabilitation of that space while respecting the original architecture.