Comments on: David Hoffman’s East End Jewish Shops https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:41:39 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Stephen Gerskin https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1897444 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:41:39 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1897444 My latest aunt Sadie owned 1a hessel st. Selling pillows and bedding i

]]> By: Bernard wass https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1631687 Sun, 06 Oct 2024 18:31:58 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1631687 I used to repair the shopkeepers commercial fridges in Hessell St. Jackie Robotkin had a shop. After l repaired his fridge l went upstairs above the shop. I was a bit shocked when he produced an army issue Webly pistol. He said it was for the moseley mob if they came. This was about late 1960s. Long after the troubles. I told him to give it to the police.

]]> By: Mark https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1524200 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:09:52 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1524200 Picture 3.
Milk tray bars, an expensive treat as a kid, the absolute apex of choc bars. Orange and strawberry creams amongst others, but Valhalla was reached via the lime barrel, now sadly cold shouldered by chocolatiers.
Aztec bars were pretty neat also.
When Cadburys was good…. great pictorial memories.

]]> By: Christine https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1524189 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:21:10 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1524189 What a beautiful painting of the street and it oozed busyness ! The first photo is beautiful and remember these shops with lady’s under garment in beautiful wooden drawers with glass at the front! I sadly googled Hessel Street and so so as now just looks like a cut through alley x

]]> By: Lynne Perrella https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1524186 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 11:56:52 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1524186 GA, may Friday the thirteenth be a lucky day for your fund-raising efforts! Onward and upward.

I love the vitality of these photos. After wandering up and down Hessel Street this morning, I am almost giddy with the “muchness” of the place. Every storefront and doorway is full of offerings, as well as dedicated merchants, mostly with a smile. The little candy kiosk was absolutely awash in temptations (not to mention: packaging design!) and I could also savor the aromas coming from the deli and pickle establishment. Pass the mustard.

Thank you for revealing this community and its industrious people.

]]> By: mel w https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1524172 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:22:02 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1524172 so full of London history & atmosphere…oh the pretty blouses in the first one…

]]> By: achim https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1524165 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:11:13 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1524165 These are David Hoffman’s wonderful documents of the probably unique atmosphere of Hessel Street at that time. Nothing of that is left…

Love & Peace
ACHIM

]]> By: Andy https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/10/13/david-hoffmans-east-end-jewish-shops/#comment-1524149 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 05:23:16 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=197446#comment-1524149 Good pictures.
I recommend viewers to watch’The Bespoke Overcoat”with Mr Kossoff and Mr Bass on YouTube

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