In Reply to: SMALL SHOPS posted by BRIANHOBAN on October 09, 2009 at 11:36:39:

Brilliant work, Brian!
1.Carneys , 
Chapel Street
2.Pa Gavin's ,
Spencer Street;
3 Goldens, 
Spencer Street
4 Mrs Murrays, 
Station road
5 Nora Lyons,
Spencer Street
6 Kevin O Malleys,
Mc Hale road
7Griffins, 
Westport road
8Moran's,
Newport Road,
9Neary’s , 
Blackfort
10 Mc Goughs, 
Blackfort
11 Kathleen Bradys, 
Gallows Hill
12 Mae Leonard's, 
Castle St.
13 Brian Hobans, 
Newtown Street
14 Andy Leonards, 
Duke St.
15 McDonald's ,
Castle Street;
16 Carney's ,
Chapel Street;

17 Nolan's ,
Gallows Hill
18 Tom Twiggs, 
Chapel Street
19 Lilly Mc Donalds, 
Tucker St
20 Mc Niffs, 
Tucker St
21 Healys, 
Linenhall St.
22 Tommy Lawless, 
New Antrim St.
23 Murtaghs , 
Main Street
24 Frank Mc Donalds,
Main Street
25 Connollys, 
Main Street
26 Bradys,
Ellison Street

Of the 26, I remember only 12!:
(1; 2; 3; 5; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 23; 26)

Of these, I remember especially number 2 - Pa Gavin and his hand-operated ham slicer. While the ham was always delicious, the machine itself might not survive in today's hyper-hygienic environment. As far as I know though, no one was ever sick.
Pa was a dab hand too at measuring out the ice cream in wafers - which he'd cut from a block after first scoring the block with a metal gauge.

3. Golden's - handy to run across the road to from the cinema. As a bakery it always had that seductive and delicious smell of freshly-baked bread. I remember they would often have mini-Hovis breads which you'd buy - usually by the half-dozen - as a special treat, when visitors were coming to the house.

12. Mae Leonard and her brother Tommy, who was a hackney driver, were always great for a chat when you'd call in for your Flash or Macaroon bar, and later when you'd advanced to Wrigleys chewing gum!

But what about Mrs Moran (mother of Joe, I think, former CEO of the ESB) - also in Castle Street near Seanie Kelly the barber (now, there's another list - the town barbers!) ?

26. I remember Mrs Brady, her quiet demeanor and always friendly smile, beside the Post Office. It was here in the early sixties that I first tasted, and never forgot, Fanta orange!