Jam Factory Information

The Jam Factory has a colourful, diverse history. The Jam Factory was first established in 1858 as the Victoria Brewery with residents Albert Terry and his family also living in part of the factory. At this time, the building and land were valued at a modest 150 pounds. In 1876 the Victoria Brewery closed down. The building and land were then sold for 5,350 pounds to Robert Wright and Robert Payne. No longer a Brewery, the new company was named the Victoria Preserving Company. Four years later, in 1880, the building became known as the 'Red Cross' preserving company. Employing 230 hands, in season the company was the largest employer in Prahran. In 1895, Mr William Peacock bought the premises and turned it into the 'OK' Jam Co. This in turn was sold once again to Henry Jones, the man behind the famous IXL brand. But then, in 1926, Henry Jones passed away and Achalen Palfreyman became Chairman of Directors. The three cottages which had been on the site since the 1850's were pulled down and a cool store built in their place. In 1950 there was a significant downturn in the jam market. The more affluent consumer, the once great lovers of jam, were eating more fruit. Years later, in 1967, Achalen Palfreyman died. Then, three years later, production of preserves and jams at the Jam Factory ceased all together. The decade of flares, flower power and Woodstock also saw the opening of the Jam Factory shopping centre, in 1979 on the 9th of October. The cost of the development was over twenty million dollars.