This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjdlprvv9r0o

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'It is a wonderful thing we are still here' Lewis & Cooper: 'It is a wonderful thing we are still here'
(2 months later)
Lewis & Cooper was founded in 1899 on the High Street in NorthallertonLewis & Cooper was founded in 1899 on the High Street in Northallerton
An independent food shop is celebrating 125 years of trading in a North Yorkshire town.An independent food shop is celebrating 125 years of trading in a North Yorkshire town.
Lewis & Cooper, which describes itself as a gourmet grocery store, has been trading in Northallerton since 1899.Lewis & Cooper, which describes itself as a gourmet grocery store, has been trading in Northallerton since 1899.
Although its old trolley and pulley systems for collecting customer orders have now gone, many of its products have remained the same, the owners said.Although its old trolley and pulley systems for collecting customer orders have now gone, many of its products have remained the same, the owners said.
Staff member Pam Andrassy said the anniversary was a "special time" and added: "Hopefully we will go on for another 125 years."Staff member Pam Andrassy said the anniversary was a "special time" and added: "Hopefully we will go on for another 125 years."
General manager Kayanne Smith said customers liked the shop's old-fashioned productsGeneral manager Kayanne Smith said customers liked the shop's old-fashioned products
The business is still run by the descendants of George Lewis, who bought the grocers he worked at with business partner Binks Barton Cooper, when it was threatened with closure.The business is still run by the descendants of George Lewis, who bought the grocers he worked at with business partner Binks Barton Cooper, when it was threatened with closure.
"The way the high street is going, it is a wonderful thing that we're still here," Kayanne Smith, who has worked at the shop for 25 years, said."The way the high street is going, it is a wonderful thing that we're still here," Kayanne Smith, who has worked at the shop for 25 years, said.
The general manager put the success of the business down to its "committed staff".The general manager put the success of the business down to its "committed staff".
"While the shop is always keen to look at different trends, some people still like the old-fashioned products so it's important to keep that balance," she said."While the shop is always keen to look at different trends, some people still like the old-fashioned products so it's important to keep that balance," she said.
A best-selling product in the shop, Mr Bush's Plum Pudding, started out life exclusively at Lewis & Cooper.A best-selling product in the shop, Mr Bush's Plum Pudding, started out life exclusively at Lewis & Cooper.
Staff said they had originally been sold in another small shop, which had been "forced out of business" when a supermarket opened nearby.Staff said they had originally been sold in another small shop, which had been "forced out of business" when a supermarket opened nearby.
After 7,000 puddings were sold at the shop during their first Christmas on the shelves, they are now sold all year round.After 7,000 puddings were sold at the shop during their first Christmas on the shelves, they are now sold all year round.
The store is well-known for its food hampers, which are put together by Rouma Read.The store is well-known for its food hampers, which are put together by Rouma Read.
Ms Read has been with the business for 21 years and said: "I've really enjoyed working here and that's why I'm still here.Ms Read has been with the business for 21 years and said: "I've really enjoyed working here and that's why I'm still here.
"It's fantastic, it's more like a family.""It's fantastic, it's more like a family."
Julia Lewis takes a trip to Lewis & Cooper for its milestone 125th birthday.Julia Lewis takes a trip to Lewis & Cooper for its milestone 125th birthday.
Mr Lewis and Mr Cooper bought the business from their manager, Robert Brogden, in December 1899.Mr Lewis and Mr Cooper bought the business from their manager, Robert Brogden, in December 1899.
They traded at the original site for six years, before buying the chemist next door and moving in 1905.They traded at the original site for six years, before buying the chemist next door and moving in 1905.
The partners also bought 18 workmen's cottages for £2,150, which were adapted to become storage space.The partners also bought 18 workmen's cottages for £2,150, which were adapted to become storage space.
Customers of the day would go into the store and give their order to a member of staff.Customers of the day would go into the store and give their order to a member of staff.
The assistants would then take a trolley to collect the goods from the storage rooms.The assistants would then take a trolley to collect the goods from the storage rooms.
Waiting at the front of the shop, the customers would place their money on a pulley system, which went straight to the cashier's office further down the shop.Waiting at the front of the shop, the customers would place their money on a pulley system, which went straight to the cashier's office further down the shop.
Chris Nowland from Vancouver had been visiting relatives in Northallerton and loved the cheese department at Lewis & CooperChris Nowland from Vancouver had been visiting relatives in Northallerton and loved the cheese department at Lewis & Cooper
The shop has since updated its technology but its range of products continues to attract customers from far and wide.The shop has since updated its technology but its range of products continues to attract customers from far and wide.
Chris Nowland, from Vancouver in Canada, was browsing in the cheese department and said he had been "mesmerised" by the selection.Chris Nowland, from Vancouver in Canada, was browsing in the cheese department and said he had been "mesmerised" by the selection.
"I'm a cheese hound, you don't get this kind of cheese in Vancouver, things like the Wensleydales," he said."I'm a cheese hound, you don't get this kind of cheese in Vancouver, things like the Wensleydales," he said.
"So I'm taking advantage of that and taking a few back with me.""So I'm taking advantage of that and taking a few back with me."
Mr Nowland said he was "amazed" the shop had been in business for such a long time.Mr Nowland said he was "amazed" the shop had been in business for such a long time.
"It seems to have a good local customer base, everyone seems to know about it. I can see the appeal.""It seems to have a good local customer base, everyone seems to know about it. I can see the appeal."
Pam Andrassy started working at the shop in 2023Pam Andrassy started working at the shop in 2023
Pam Andrassy, who joined the team a year ago, put the success of the shop down to its customer service and traditional values.Pam Andrassy, who joined the team a year ago, put the success of the shop down to its customer service and traditional values.
"The power of a smile is important," Ms Andrassy said."The power of a smile is important," Ms Andrassy said.
"Whether a customer is spending £5 or £500, they will be treated exactly the same, very special.""Whether a customer is spending £5 or £500, they will be treated exactly the same, very special."
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here, external. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.