At Elliott’s Grocery Store, It’s Still 1973
When you enter Elliott’s Grocery Store on Fore Street in Saltash, Cornwall, it’s 1973. Literally. What you see on the shelves are precisely what its former owner, Frank Elliott, sold. Rather than adjust to the decimalisation of UK’s currency, Mr. Elliott decided to retire, but he wanted people to know what the old High Street grocery stores looked like and how they operated prior to the near-complete takeover of supermarkets people know today.
Elliott's Store Interior
Elliott folded shop during a time of economic and demographic transition in the UK, as supermarkets became desirable to those relocating to newly built suburbs, while thousands continued to shop on a near-daily basis at High Street stores like Elliotts that were close to their homes. Proprietors like Mr. Elliott knew their customers and often could predict their orders.Elliott’s maintains the feeling of a High (or Fore) Street grocery, but instead of Mr. Elliott behind the counter, one will find passionate volunteers who take upon themselves the upkeep and opening of the store so that visitors can have a look around and are there to give visitors a history of the store and Elliott family.
Mike and Jerry: Two Dedicated Volunteers
The store’s back wall is almost entirely taken up with spirits, but instead of French and German wines, Scotch whiskeys and Plymouth gin, the selection is primarily sherry and port, much of it imported from Australia. Those who drank something other than beer, which takes up a portion of a smaller sidewall, often drank fortified, sweet wines. The UK had a long history of importing sherry and port because during its various conflicts with France, import taxes on wine were steep, while taxes on sherry and port, which initially came from Spain and Portugal, were not.
A Wall of Sherry and Port
But in terms of drinking trends, Babycham had also become a popular party drink by the late 1950s, and Mr. Elliott displayed by these tiny bottles of sparkling perry a colourful brochure on how to serve it. He also sold Babycham glasses (which look like champagne glasses) for those in need of the appropriate paraphernalia.Several popular UK brands, from Horlicks, Oxo, Birds, Heinz, Colman’s, and Persil are featured at Elliotts,albeit in 1970s packaging. Other items, however, have disappeared, among them C&T Harris Breakfast Tongues, and Galantine Chicken, Ham & Tongue.
Breakfast Tongues, Anyone?
The higglety-pigglety arrangement amused--and confused--me. Typhoo Tea boxes sit in among washing powder, while Libby’s canned pears crowd next to Price’s Lighting Tapers. However, as volunteers Mike and Jerry pointed out, _Mr Elliott_ knew where everything was--and that’s what mattered. He was the master of his inventory, knowing full-well where everything was housed. How much has changed, with supermarkets prioritizing shelving based on corporate product placement, and leveling junk food at a child’s eye-level, or giving over vast middle aisles to cheap processed food and convenience meals.
My time in Elliott’s Store brought to mind Joanna Cannon’s lovely novel The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. Set in both 1976 and 1967, the story revolves around two girls searching for God and Mrs. Creasy in among the boring mundanity of suburban life, from adults flirting over glasses filled with Babycham to children being placated with bowls of Angel Delight. It’s all there in Elliotts, but so, too, is that sense of Elliotts’ impending demise, as the supermarkets and suburbs increasingly edged out High Street groceries, irrespective of the brand names that they both sold. The blessing is that Mr. Elliott had the foresight to realise that someday, people would want to see what a grocery store used to look like, maybe for nostalgia, but also to learn first-hand how demographic and economic transitions affect one’s food choices.
Is it worth a visit to Saltash to see this amazing museum? Absolutely. The trouble is that I cannot find any active links giving prospective visitors information on times that the museum is open. Just across the River Tamar from Plymouth, Elliott’s Store is easy to reach, but whether one can go inside is unclear to me at this point. This is indeed a shame.
My time in Elliott’s Store brought to mind Joanna Cannon’s lovely novel The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. Set in both 1976 and 1967, the story revolves around two girls searching for God and Mrs. Creasy in among the boring mundanity of suburban life, from adults flirting over glasses filled with Babycham to children being placated with bowls of Angel Delight. It’s all there in Elliotts, but so, too, is that sense of Elliotts’ impending demise, as the supermarkets and suburbs increasingly edged out High Street groceries, irrespective of the brand names that they both sold. The blessing is that Mr. Elliott had the foresight to realise that someday, people would want to see what a grocery store used to look like, maybe for nostalgia, but also to learn first-hand how demographic and economic transitions affect one’s food choices.
Is it worth a visit to Saltash to see this amazing museum? Absolutely. The trouble is that I cannot find any active links giving prospective visitors information on times that the museum is open. Just across the River Tamar from Plymouth, Elliott’s Store is easy to reach, but whether one can go inside is unclear to me at this point. This is indeed a shame.
Feed Kroger is the Official Kroger Employee Portal where they can perform the Login and check Kroger Ess Schedule. https://wvw-greatpeople.me
ReplyDeleteA lot of convenience stores are interchangeable businesses, with interchangeable products. Finding something different to sell can draw customers and keep them coming back. Do some market research on the upcoming trends and new products.Truforte Business Group
ReplyDeleteI think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. Thank for sharing! food supermarket in UK
ReplyDeleteI always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in your post. I really thank full for you for this post. food supermarket in UK
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind remarks, Joseph!
ReplyDeleteI am truly impressed by the details which you have provided regarding food supermarket in UK. It is an interesting article for me as well as for others. Thanks for sharing such articles here
ReplyDeleteTo be honest your post is informative and very helpful. After I saw your Post, it helped me a lot. Thanks for share your kind informations about best italian food shop in UK
ReplyDeletegrocery pickup near me Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I'm becoming more acquainted with it better! Cheers, keep doing awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis Article is Awesome. It’s help me a lot. Please keep up your good work. We always with you and Waiting for your new interesting articles. If you want to get service for indian pulses
ReplyDeleteUse the online survey platform WalgreensListens to take the survey and enter for a chance to win some great prizes. This survey is available for you to complete whenever, from anywhere, using any device. With the aid of this survey, the business may gauge how satisfied customers are with its offerings. https://walgrnslistens.shop/
ReplyDeleteYou are qualified to participate in this Mazzio's Guest Experience Survey if you meet all the requirements listed
ReplyDeletehttps://tellmazzioscom.shop/
You may access all the information you need, along with some screen captures, here to take the PotbellyListens Survey. Visit here Potbellylistens Survey
ReplyDeleteAfter you have completed all fields, click submit. Finally, make a duplicate of your validation code. You will need to present it to the cashier when making your next purchase at a Buffalo Wild Wings location within 14 days after the Bwwlistens survey date. Visit here Bwwlistens Survey
ReplyDeleteThe American fast food chain Del Taco is committed to providing the greatest amenities to its customers. Customers are invited to take part in the Del Taco Reward programme through the supply chain. Visit here Myopinion.deltaco Survey
ReplyDeleteThere are additional ways to enter the sweepstakes besides the customer satisfaction survey. You must purchase for Zaxby and present the receipt in order to complete the survey. There are offline processes available without a purchase receipt. We will also talk about the Mail participation method. Visit here MyZaxbysVisit Survey
ReplyDeleteThe American fast-food franchise known as Sonic Corporation is operated by Inspire Brands. Oklahoma is the state where Sonic is based. Sonic was started by Troy Smith on June 18, 1953. Visit here Talktosonic Survey
ReplyDeleteWe should take part in this customer survey, but why? What's in it for us, then? Customers who take the TellTheBell survey have a chance to win $500 if they succeed. Yes, you're right. Visit here TellTheBell Survey
ReplyDeleteI strongly advise you to complete the DQFanFeedback survey if you recently ate at a Dairy Queen restaurant. Your suggestions can improve the dining experience at Dairy Queen. Visit here Dqfanfeedback.com Survey
ReplyDeleteNoodles & Company found the Tellnoodles website to be a useful resource for collecting client feedback. Customer loyalty was increased and the company's products and services were improved thanks to the feedback. Visit here Tellnoodles Survey
ReplyDeleteThe Miami Herald and The New York Times, among other well-known newspapers, have both covered the website. Visit here Pollolistens.com Survey
ReplyDeleteAs we will describe in more detail in this post, there are a few prerequisites and term conditions that you must meet. Rest, rules, and regulations are straightforward requirements that you must adhere to. Visit here Talktofridays.com Survey
ReplyDeleteSo let's look at the procedures for a customer satisfaction survey on my KFC website. KFC chicken gives its regular and devoted consumers the opportunity to win discount vouchers. Visit here MyKFCExperience Survey
ReplyDeletePopular sports goods business Bass Pro Shops provides a range of goods and services, including camping, fishing, and outdoor gear. In order to understand more about their customers' opinions of their goods, services, and overall experience, the organization also conducts customer satisfaction surveys. Visit here Basspro Survey
ReplyDelete