East End Shopfronts
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These splendid shopfronts from the beginning of the last century are published courtesy of Philip Mernick who has been collecting postcards of the East End for more than thirty years. In spite of their age, the photographs are of such high quality that they capture every detail and I could not resist enlarging parts of them so you can peer closer at the displays.
S.Jones, Dairy, 187 Bethnal Green Rd
J.F. List, Baker, 418 Bethnal Green Rd
A.L.Barry, Chandlers & Seed Merchants, 246 Roman Rd
Direct Supply Stores Ltd, Butcher, Seven Sisters Rd
Vanhear’s Coffee Rooms, 564 Commercial Rd
Williams Bros, Ironmonger, 418 Caledonian Rd
Francis J. Walters, Undertakers, 811 Commercial Rd
Pearks Stores, Grocer, High St, East Ham
A. Rickards, Umbrella Manufacturer, 30 Barking Rd, East Ham
Huxtables Stores, Ironmonger, Broadway, Plaistow
E.J Palfreyman, Printer, Bookbinder & Stationer, High Rd, Leytonstone
J.Garwood, Greengrocer, Bow Rd
“The banana is the safest and most wholesome fruit there is”
You may also like to take a look at
Alan Dein’s East End Shopfronts
Emily Webber’s East End Shopfronts
How did shops that had fresh food hanging in the windows keep the temperature very low?
YOU are a mind reader. I wanted to explore each of these store fronts — and you’ve anticipated my curiosity. Although, it would have been nice to get a closer look at the two young boys peering out of the upper windows, above Huxtables Stores. But, I digress.
I love the dictums in the various signage:
“Earlier Closing. Shop Early.” — Why, yes, I will.
“Distance No Object.” — That goes without saying.
“This is the Old Firm.” — I never doubted it.
And there was a word for the vocabulary list, too: “Embrocation”. Will look it up later.
Have no clue.
A wonderful post! I savored every detail. Oh, to be a time traveler and be able to visit all
of those shops!
A good embrocation is ‘Deep Heat’ brand.
Is Mr EJ Palfreyman the Printer and Bookbinder also selling ‘FOOTBALLS’ on the side ….?