I guess it was what you'd call a General Store. That tiny space was crammed full of what would now be considered to be a 'random' assortment of goods from sweeties to sewing needles and eggs to envelopes. But what all those things had in common was that they were the stuff that people need and use. Basically, a supermarket in miniature form.
But you hardly ever see them these days. Whatever happened to them? I guess that supermarkets came along and convinced us all that it was much more convenient to shop with them instead. But I'm feeling optimistic today and wondering if it isn't time for a general store renaissance. Maybe not with the full-on, crazy combination of goods we used to sell but a more contemporary, pared down version.
I may be onto something as there are 2 shops in Beverley that have undergone recent make-overs and both have come to our aid more than once in the last 3 weeks.
The first is O'Brians in the Molescroft parade of shops on Woodhall Way, recently taken over by Kieran O'Brian. We've known the entrepreneurial Kieran for a while as he also owns KPO recycling who collect our cardboard waste from the shop.
When I popped in today I had a long chat with the lovely Kieran. His theory is that people of 'my generation' (and I swear that at this point, I hadn't even mentioned the half penny jelly teddies) are culturally conditioned into supermarket shopping but that there's a younger generation who already think differently. Maybe he's right. I really hope so. And if there's any justice, this little shop deserves to do well. It's got fruit and veg...
... a little meat and dairy section, with meat from a local butcher John Marson and yogurt, cream, butter and creme fraiche from Longley Farm in West Yorkshire.
There's a bakery section, cleaning and household stuff....
... and a really handy section full of store cupboard stuff. If you've been reading the blog regularly, you'll know that we've been missing cereal so Antony will be overjoyed that I grabbed him some Cornflakes today.
There's also a rack of dried herbs....
... and, oh joy, a small selection of fresh herbs. But the great thing is, they're ones that you actually want. And I was incredibly impressed to see Vanilla Pods, which I'd assumed I wouldn't be able to get anywhere except the supermarket.
You even get service with a smile.
The last couple of times I've been there, there's been a really steady flow of customers nipping in which is great to see. And you can even order online for home delivery through We Deliver Local.
The second shop that I wanted to mention is Maple News on Maple Drive.
It's a shop I haven't used until recently when we started dropping our parcels off there for courier collection. To be honest, I didn't really know it was there and it doesn't look very glamorous from the outside but I now think that it's a bit of a hidden gem. It's got all your normal newsagenty stuff but has also been the only little & local place I've found so far to get shampoo and deodorant - just as well, as I was getting a bit low!
They've also got tinned goods which means I can pick up my tinned tomatoes when I drop off my parcels...
... and it turns out that I can get cereal here too. If only I'd realised sooner :-)
In many rural communities, local people are re-embracing the concept of the General Store and creating community-owned village shops. According to the Plunkett Foundation, they are one of the leading success stories of the UK co-operative and social enterprise movement. In 1992 there were just 33 community-owned shops. Now there are 303 with a further 20 anticipated to open by the end of 2013. Maybe it really is a sign that the tide is turning and people are looking for a different shopping experience.
If you want to feel inspired, check out the Brockweir and Hewelsfield Village Shop which boasts a cafe featuring local art exhibitions, local food, postage services, photocopying, a book exchange and a whole lot more. Local living for the 21st century.
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