VINTAGE LUNDIN LINKS AND LARGO
  • Blog

Ironmongers

22/1/2016

4 Comments

 
The previous post covered 'Belville' on Emsdorf Street and noted that this house had a shop extending out from it for a few decades. It is unclear exactly when this shop was built and opened but it was likely soon after the sale of the house in 1928. I've been looking for evidence of who had the shop and what business they were running.  In 1940 both Bellville and the shop were owned and occupied by John and Mary Gillespie, according to the valuation roll of that year. John Gillespie was born in Leslie and was the son of James Gillespie, whose occupation was 'iron turner' (ie someone who makes items out of iron). Perhaps John followed in his father's footsteps and became an ironmonger and that is what the shop was in 1940.  This is backed up by another clue from four years earlier, when Mrs Gillespie attended a WRI demonstration evening at the Montrave Hall where she exhibited "kitchen requisites" (Fife Free Press 25 April 1936).

The shop continued as an ironmonger/hardware store and by 1947 it was in the hands of Isaac Cairns.  As the advert below from the Courier of 9 July 1947 shows, it was referred to as 'Cairns' Household Stores'. Mr Cairns was also the son of an ironmonger (his father James had a shop in Methil for many decades).  Isaac Cairns had served in the First World War, enlisting soon after his 19th birthday, and he ran the Emsdorf Street shop for many years.  If you recall Isaac Cairns and his Household Stores, please comment.
Picture
Isaac Cairns died in 1970, aged 72, and it was perhaps around that time that John McMillan took over the shop and moved into Bellville. A very fit man and a keen swimmer Mr McMillan (pictured below) was reported in 1986 in the East Fife Mail as having added five medals to his collection at a competition in Glasgow at the age of 73. The article noted that Mr McMillan had completed 42 swimming marathon courses and hoped to reach the 60 mark by 1988. 

Many people will remember the shop during the 1970s and 1980s, as I do.  I would love to hear your memories - what did you buy there?  what do you remember seeing in the window displays? what do you remember of Mr McMillan?
Also, if you know when the shop finally closed and when it was demolished, please comment.  Those newer to Lundin Links might find it hard to imagine there being a shop in the garden of Bellville now, as it has returned to its original state as a standalone house, albeit with slightly fresher looking stonework on the right hand side.
Picture
4 Comments
susan napier
22/1/2016 10:02:27 am

I remember Cairn's as it was referred to in the 1950s. The memory plays tricks but I think the window was laid out with lots of things laid out on a flat surface, like Jean Turbayne's sweet shop.

Reply
Duncan Bryden
8/2/2016 11:36:20 am

I remember Mr McMillan's shop being packed with stuff. He usually wore a brown overcoat and would disappear to the back of the shop to unearth your goods.

Reply
Elaine McGlary
4/4/2017 12:58:22 pm

Duncan, that is exactly my own memory of Mr McMillan, the brown coat and him disappearing into the back of the shop for what seemed like ages until he found the item you wanted! He was a very nice man, quiet, soft spoken, and rather shy, but he had a lovely friendly smile.

Reply
Lis Tull
19/7/2022 09:01:48 am

My mother remember Isaac Cairns, as he was her great uncle. I've sent her a link to your post. Thank you!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About

    This blog is about the history of the villages of Lundin Links, Lower Largo and Upper Largo in Fife, Scotland. Comments and contributions from readers are very welcome!

    Search

    There is no in-built search facility on this site. To search for content, go to Google and type your search words followed by "lundin weebly".

    Contact

    Categories

    All
    Antiquities
    Beach
    Boarding Houses
    Business
    Churches
    Clubs And Societies
    Drummochy
    Facilities
    Farming
    Fishing
    Golf
    Houses
    Keil's Den
    Largo Law
    Lower Largo
    Masseney Braes
    New Gilston
    People
    Railway
    School
    Shops
    Standing Stanes
    Streets
    Tourism
    Upper Largo
    Viaduct
    War

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Links

    Largo Baywatch Blog
    Fife Family History Society
    ​
    Polish Parachute Brigade Info​

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.