Fire in the flat above Parker's Store, 1956

Parker's Store

1956

This photo was taken following a fire in the flat above Parker's store at Bristo Street in July 1956.

Bristo Street was a continuation of Bristo Place to the SE towards the corner of Crighton Street and Chapel Street. The street has now vanished and new Edinburgh University buildings have been built in the area.

Thank you to George T Smith, Canada, for encouraging me to add this photo to the web site:

George wrote:

Iconic Building

"I remember the Parker's shop in Bristo quite well. I believe that if you can unearth a picture of the shop. it will prompt many other memories.

The term, 'Iconic' was used to describe it, and I certainly remember it in all its black and white glory."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: November 7, 2009

Recollections

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith who wrote:

Bargains

"The picture of Parker's store is exactly as I remember it.

I can't remember what was sold there, but I imagine that it was a bargain store as my grandmother was very careful of her pennies.

I await re actions from other readers."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: November 14, 2009

Recollections

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson who wrote:

Dante Lanny's Cafe

"This shot certainly hit the spot in bringing the memories of this area flooding back. On the other corner, opposite Youngs* the Bakers, was Dante Lanny's cafe and ice cream parlour, a well known place and proprietor."

Murray's Tools

"Just up from Lanny's, towards College Street. was The Long Bar(?), a pend and a small tool shop whose name I can't remember. It was later taken over by Mr. Murray. This little shop evolved into Murray's Tool stores.

They had three shops, one in Dalry Road, one in South Clerk Street and one in Morrison Street. this being the only one left now. They were run for many years by Fred Murray who retired not too long ago. I don't think there is a tradesman in Edinburgh who has not at some time been a customer of Murray's.

Again, heading up towards College Street, there was a fruit shop, Rankins I think, and another pub, the Woolsack***. As George said, there will be many memories of Parker's to come, and there are already some in this archive, one in particular being my recollection of the famous Parker's menage."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse: November 14, 2009

Update

*** Thank you to Stuart Lyon for pointing out that the name of this pub was, in fact, The Woolpack and for sending me an old photo of The Woolpack.

Acknowledgement: Stuart Lyon, October 27, 2010

Recollections

Violet Crouse (nee Cunningham) )

Canada

Thank you to Violet who wrote:

Flat Fire

"I was shocked to find this picture on the website because that flat was my home and, if it was in fact 1956, then I remember the fire very well.

It was a very bad chimney fire which warranted the streets being closed because of the danger of the chimney falling down.

I now live in Canada but still have family in Edinburgh.

Thanks for the memories."

Violet Crouse (nee Cunningham), Canada: November 15, 2009

Recollections

Eric Gold

East End, London

Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote:

Clothes 'on tick'

"This photo of Parkers Store brought back memories as my ma would kit me out there as you could get tick (credit) there."

Mr Parker

"I can still remember Mr Parker to this very day. He would bring in his car to be washed, and for an oil check, at the garage where I worked in the Potterow called the Empire Garage."

Dante Linnie

"Also, as Bob Henderson said, opposite Young Brothers* was Dante Lannie’s cafe. He was a great friend of our family and became my Godfather, as I said in my memories of Arthur Street."

Fire

"As for the fire, I do remember a fire either in Parker's shop or nearby. It could have been the one in the photo but I think it was Parkers shop at a later date."

Eric Gold, East End, London: November 16, 2009

Recollections

Violet Crouse (nee Cunningham)

Canada

Thank you to Violet who wrote:

Bristo Street

"Here are few recollections from Bristo Street.

Across the road from Young's the Bakers was Jockie Whitton's paper shop, on the corner of Bristo Street and Marshall Street.

Up from Whitton's was: Lanny's Ice Cream Shop, and further up were:

- a chemist (I can't remember the name)

- a milliner's (hat shop)

- the pend

- Gilhooley the Butcher

- a pub, the Hall Bar.

Further up towards Lothian Street were:

- another pub, The Woolpack Inn

- a fruit shop called Fell's

- a fruit shop, closer to Lothian Street, called Lamont's

- a kilt shop, on the corner of Bristo Street and Lothian Street.

Maybe someone else can help fill in the gaps.

Violet Crouse (nee Cunningham), Canada: November 16, 2009

Recollections

Eric Gold

East End, London

Thank you to Eric Gold who added:

Parker's and Dante Lannie's

"My big sister Ella said, last night, that Parker's sold everything from a pin to an elephant. We used love going to Parkers then over to Dante Lannie’s, my Godfather's, for a slap up meal. Great memories."

Eric Gold, East End, London: November 17, 2009

Recollections

Rosemary Craig

Shariff, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Thank you to Rosemary Craig who wrote:

Parker's Store

"I remember Parker's store. As George Smith stated, the store was iconic. I also understand that the reasonably priced merchandise was a blessing to many customers, especially during the war, as were the wonderful saleswomen."

Rosemary Craig, Shariff, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: December 1, 2010