Ironmongers

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.

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.