Smith Street in Melbourne has a long history as a diverse commercial center dating back to the 1830s. Originally an irregular track connecting Bourke Street to Heidelberg, it transitioned in the late 19th century into a manufacturing and shopping destination. A boom in the 1880s saw notable developments like the Post Office and Foy and Gibson's store. The arrival of cable trams in 1887 further expanded retail. Major retailers like Foy's and George Coles opened locations in the early 1900s, though many smaller shops closed during WWII due to rationing favoring larger stores. Gentrification of inner cities in recent decades changed the demographic and led to the demolition of landmarks like Foy and Gibson's in the 1960s. Smith