The Cottonwood Cafe – Abertillery

The Cottonwood Cafe.
On Monday 27th October 1947, the Cottonwood Cafe (as seen in the main featured image) was opened. The cafe was in the old post office building on High Street, the junction of High Street and Castle Street, at Bush Hill, Abertillery. The proprietors were Marenghi & Humphries, Tel- 259.

History of the Building.
The Cottonwood Cafe building was originally the Abertillery General Post Office.

Mr Titus Phillips.
In 1903, Mr Titus Phillips, the father of the sub-post master Mr J. Emlyn Phillips financed the the construction of the post office with the intention of renting it to the Post Office Authority. The building was constructed by local builder Mr William Phillips.

Mr William Phillips.
Mr William Phillips, the builder living at Glanwern House, Castle Street, Abertillery. The foreman builder for Mr Phillips was Mr Robert Coulston Jones.

Mr Robert Coulston Jones.
Mr Robert Coulston Jones was born in 1861 at Penarth. He became a builder at the age of thirteen, he was engaged in the construction of Barry Gas Works and the Western Mail Offices. While at Abertillery, Mr Jones worked on the Drill Hall, the Aberbeeg Hospital, the Hospital Memorial Gates and the Abertillery War Memorial. He was employed by the Monmouthshire County Council, The Abertillery Urban Council before retiring in 1933. He passed away in 1935, at the time of his death he lived at 11 Duke Street, Abertillery.

The Closure of the Post Office Building.
In 1925 a new general post office for Abertillery was opened at Church Street, the old post office at Bush Hill closed.

The Unemployment Assistance Board.
In 1926 the old post office was taken by the Office of Works, in connection with the Unemployment Assistance Board.

The New Employment Exchange.
In 1936 the new Employment Exchange was opened at Portland Street, Abertillery and all staff were relocated.

The Abertillery A.R.P.
At the outbreak of the second world war the old employment office on Bush Hill was leased by the Abertillery A.R.P. It was stated that Mr A. Atkins was the area A.R.P. Officer.

Messrs Marenghi and Humphries.
Not long after the end of the war, the old post office building had been taken by Messrs Marenghi and Humphries, it was converted into a cafe and restaurant and named the Cottonwood Cafe.

The Cottonwood Cafe.
On Monday 27th October 1947, the Cottonwood Cafe was opened. The proprietors were Marenghi and Humphries. The Cottonwood Cafe, as mentioned, was listed as a cafe and restaurant. Newspaper advertisements stated it was open at 12 o’clock for coffee’s and lunch, later for high teas and suppers. The Marenghi family had a cafe at the Arcade, Abertillery.

Emilio Marenghi.
In 1949 the Cottonwood Cafe was occupied by Emilio and Sarah Marenghi.

Mr and Mrs Thomas Williams.
In 1953 the South Wales Gazette stated that Mr and Mrs Thomas Williams were at the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery. I an unsure as to what the Williams family were doing at the cafe, it’s uncertain as to if they were the proprietors or just tenants?

Mr Emilio Marenghi and Others.
In 1956 Mr Emilio Marenghi along with Angelia and John Marenghi were listed in the Electoral Registers as being at the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery

Wedding Reception.
In March 1957 a wedding reception, that of Mr Reginald Harold Wood of Garndiffaith and Miss Beatrice Edna Jones of Six Bells was held at the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery. The ceremony took place at King Street Baptist Church, Abertillery.

Mr Stanley Butler.
In 1957 the Electoral Register states that Mr Stanley Butler and his wife Mrs Joyce Butler were at the Cottowood Cafe, Abertillery, again I am unsure as to what capacity they were there. The premises was still known as a restaurant in 1957, although in 1958 it was listed as being unoccupied and listed as such until 1964.

Mr Giacomo Molina.
In 1964 Mr Giacomo Molina and his wife Mrs Joanna M. V. Molina nee Cavaciuti were proprietors of the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery. Throughout the late 1960’s the Electoral Registers only listed Mrs Molina as being at the Cottonwood Cafe.

In 1964, the Electoral Registers states that Mrs Joanna M. V. Molina was proprietor of the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery. Later, newspaper reports shows both Joanna Molina and her husband Giacomo Molina and family were proprietors at the Cottonwood Cafe.

Licence to Sell Alcohol.
In April 1966, Mr Giacomo Molina applied for an excise license to sell any intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises. The notice stated he had been in there for the past 6 months.

The Closure of the Cottonwood Cafe.
The Cottonwood Cafe closed as a cafe in 1991.

Thanks to Bryan Boots and Anthony Molina for their help in compiling the history and for supplying the photograph of the Cottonwood Cafe.

The featured photograph is copyright – Anthony Molina and used with permission.