Edison’s Café and Bar Inn at 48 Ontario St. is named for Thomas Edison (see Edison Place  named for him), who in 1863 had a room in the Edison’s Inn . 

Edison’s Café was originally part of the Albion Hotel, referred to as the "old" Albion, built in 1855 by Peter and James Woods. The original Albion included the neighbouring building on the corner of Lakeside Drive and Ontario Street, opposite Erie Street. The café section of the hotel has changed hands over the years from Glen’s Gothic store to the Sputnik Café and now to Slave to the Grind.

When this historic, two-storey building went on the market, once an inn but with only its ground-floor coffee shop operating,  Bruce Whitaker and his wife, Atlee, bought the property. 

Left untouched for more than 70 years, the 1845-built structure required substantial plumbing, electrical and structural improvements. The upstairs remains relatively unchanged from Edison’s days. For a story of the renovation see Article.  Bruce Whitacker has also restored 2-6 Ontario St.  

*     You can read about Edison’s history  in detail Thomas Edison in Stratford by Bruce Whitacker