The day began again in the market. Bob usher uncovered the tale of the swearing parrot in the old market whose name was Mac. Bob recounted market memories, both the old and new and what happened in between. It was impressive to hear that there are no chains or franchises allowed, and the farmers who share there are local tried and true. Bob did a few market adverts for me in his booming radio voice, and I was correct I suspected he was a pro… You can hear the voice of Bob on 98.1 Free FM.
Off we went to City Lights Bookstore and it was there we heard the gritty and underground tales of downtown culture. We heard about the days of the Talbot block and the Brunswick House and noise bands and second run movie theatres. We heard about a time when London was packed with young people cruisin’ around the downtown between record shops and comic shops and bookstores to bars. Here are the gents we spoke to, along with one other who wishes to remain anonymous.
Next we rushed to the famed Fanny Goose. We found her at the Richmond Retirement Centre – and a beautiful one it was. It struck my funny bone, as it was a microcosm of downtown London, Ontario inside, replete with the Blackfriars pub and the Covent Gardens – just as London Ontario is a microcosm of London, England, one could say… Fanny’s story is second to none. She even has a book about it. Fanny came to London Ontario from Poland, began selling wares from a suitcase, moved up to a flat bed truck and finally opened a shop downtown called J. Goose Family Clothing which she ran successfully for over 50 years, until she was 88 years old. Anyone who knows anyone back in the day in downtown London will remember Fanny and her wily ways.
Friday tomorrow. Looking forward to the weekend to digest all of these new stories….!