coffee shop junction of park rd and ford st hockley

[Astonian]

Hi guys
please excse me i am not to sure its the cencus look up thread
or the trade section on this one
i am hoping to get a cencus look up and possible a picture of this particula property which was a coffee shop- tea room as they may have called it in those days
the period i am looking for is around the thirtys i beleive,if not the twentys
and i am told by my aunt maud it was my grand fathers shop many years ago whom owned it and then sell it on i am presuming as he was one of the older brothers it could have been from about 1925 -thirtys when sold or may be the very eary forties no later than that and there names was jelf
as this one i do not have on my compilation of records
i would dearly love to get a picture of it i know the shop was there being ran by some-one else in the fiftys up to at least sixtys so there may be a pic some where if i could get a copy of the cencus and a pic it would be terrific
many thanks again best wishes astonion ;;

 

[Shortie]

Hi Astonian

I think this shop was right on a corner, so it was an odd shape Iif it is the one I am thinking about). For a few weeks in 1960 something, I worked at a shop on The Flat, and for breakfast they all used to send out (at that time I was the one being 'sent') for baked beans on toast to take away. Wrapped in a waxed paper bread wrapper, it was the best baked beans on toast (made like a sandwich, of course), that I have ever tasted. I don't remember it being a tea-room, but more like a take-out cafe, although there may have been an odd table or two. I have lovely memories of this very short period in my life. I think they did a massive trade because of the bus depot being very near, but those baked beans on toast ................. it makes my mouth water to think of it, .... absolute nectar!

Shortie

 

[Astonian]

Hi shortie
yes ;thats the one i wanted can you fill me in on any more info; about please
sorry i have to be quick on this reply as i am on my way out
will come back later today
best wishers astonion ;;

 

[Astonian]

HI Shortie
as you say the postionof the shop was at a point and like a bow front the windows was always steamed up
when going to see my dad at work at charles harris bakelite moulders on the flat
my mom always poped in and got dad a sandwich of some kind
and she said it was her fathers brothers shop along with one on alma street by the little fire box
where you would smash the glass many years before for the fire brigade
i never actuly went into this shop
as i have said if i can find some-one whom can get access to the cencus for the early years and may be a pic of the sixtys as you have said would really appreciate this
i am glad to hear the mear thought gave you memories and made your mouth water
antoni was a friend of mine whom ran the express coffee shop next to the hair dressers and the corner clothes shop and i went out with a girl named carol from across the rd from the pub
in those days ; many thanks shortie best wishes astonion;;

 

[Shortie]

Hi Astonian

I am sorry, I don't remember much about it apart from those marvellous baked beans on toast sandwiches. I don't remember the bow window either, I just remember the door. In those days I was, to say the least, lacking in confidence, so I would probably be standing there waiting for the order to be made up and rooted to the spot because I would have felt very out of place. I suspect it was a real gold mine, the custom they would have had. I don't know if anyone will come up with any pics, but I will enquire next time I go into Central Library (not got a clue when that will be), to see if there are any pictures. I have to say I have seen pictures of The Flat, but nothing that showed the cafe. Be patient, Astonion, I am sure one will turn up, albeit eventually. Have a good weekend!

Shortie