Our Story

Originally known as the Feedham Block, the building was once part of Burnie Feedham’s Blue Moon Empire, which included a billiard room and dance pavilion famous in the '30s and early '40s.

In 1943, it was purchased by Tom Cloninger, who added a third floor to the building. He operated the 38-room building as the Cloninger Hotel until his death in 1948, when it was rechristened the Laura-Mel by its new owners.

It became the Ocean Beach Hotel in 1950, when it was purchased by United Distillers Ltd.

The hotel changed hands several times since, acquiring infamy in the '70s and '80s during a period when the street-level lounge was a venue for exotic dancers.

In 1995, it was purchased by the Veltri family and continued to be operated as the Ocean Beach Lounge until 2013.

From 2013-2019 the bar was leased to the JRG Group. During which time, the Veltri’s continued to operate the upstairs hotel.

In 2020, the Veltri’s rebranded to The Ocean Beach - Crafts | Drafts | Eats.