Saturday, 19 May 2012

Oh my fruiterer and my greengrocer, long ago, long ago.

Once upon a time Blackall's the greengrocer was next door to W. Plumb the butcher.  

Image thanks to Sludgegulper on Flickr.
London switched over from the 01 telephone numbers in 1990 and the sign says 'established over 100 years'. Blackall's must have opened in 1890 at the latest.


This is what the shop looks like now. It is not an improvement. I wonder if the old sign survives underneath?

4 comments:

  1. I live above one of the shops on this arcade. Moved in after I returned to London in March. My first impressions of early encounters with the Hornsey Road three years ago were actually positive. That seems to not be a commonly held sentiment! It's great to have this blog celebrating everyday intimacies with this essential slice of London life. I am repeatedly heartened at your ability to illuminate unexpected obscure windows on it's stories; past and present. Thankyou.

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    1. Thank you! And thank you for seeing the quiet charm of the road long before I did.

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  2. I really liked that sign, too.

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    1. By the way, don't you dare not like the Great Gatsby

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