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| Burseys One Stop Shop |
Back in the 1980s and probably the 1970s Sonny Sarty owned and operated the Liverpool Flower Shop on Main Street. I believe John Ratchford may have owned it or co owned it with Sonny back when but I don't remember that. Sonny retired in the 1980s and it was purchased by Gloria Medicraft who operated it until 1988 when it closed. Dave Bursey opened up a small convenience and video rental store called Burseys One Stop Shop here and I believe Sharon Westlake worked there at that time. There may have been more businesses here over the years and I appreciate any input the readers have to offer. This location has been a bakery for the past years and I've visited many times to pick up some tasty treats.
Actually John Ratchford had owned and operated Liverpool Flower Shop for many years before Sonny bought it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hugh I knew John had the business but didnt know if he owned it by himself or with Sonny.
ReplyDeleteI'll go way back Tim. This is the building where Charlie Rafuse had a small convenience store when I lived on McLeod Street before the IGA was built. I remember my father taking me there to buy vanilla ice cream cones, and I could get a large bag of penny candies for a dime. I was probably 3 or 4 at the time...so that's awhile back. LOL I think you could buy pop and a bar for 25 cents...perhaps even a bag of chips too. I remember when Hostess Chips were 5 cents a bag. Charlie and his wife (can't remember her name) lived on Summer Street in the house now owned by one of Peggy and Francis Payzant's sons. This is also the place where Aunt Joan and Bev Wilson lived in the apartment above the store.
ReplyDeleteHis obituary says her name was Betty.
ReplyDeleteHow many convenience/candy stores did we have?? Hector's (Mersey Store), Danny's (Seamen's),Malyk's, now this one Of Charlie Rafuse all within a few blocks. Must reflect the number of kids-Liverpool was full of kids in the 50's. 60's. Lots of kids with lots of allowance to spend.
ReplyDeleteDont forget just around the corner from Malyks was Lena Smith's store, then over on George St was West End Grocery, one on Bristol Ave and not sure when they had this one but George Osmond had one near Western Head...all like u said Jan, in a close distance to one another.
ReplyDeleteI used to babysit the Rapp kids upstairs. Bob Rapp was a town cop.
ReplyDeleteAllie and Mert Simms Brunswick St.Mr. Wilkie corner of Old Portmouton Mr. Moore,Dave Inness,John Carson had West end grocery when we lived on George St.Scobey's on main St .
ReplyDeleteomg Geraldine that's right...gees Liverpool had about a million convenience stores back then it seems
ReplyDeleteOh yes and Guy Zwicker corner of Church and Zwicker Ave.We went there alot on our way to school.
ReplyDeleteJohn Ratchford was Thomas Ratchford and Bern Ratchford's adopted son. He had a sister, Maureen. Tom Ratchford and his wife settled here on Church Street after boarding at my Great Grandmother's house on School Street in 1929. He was Mersey's Secretary-Treasurer until he died suddenly of a heart attack. Bern was a professional banker in Ontario and was an active, successful investor during her long life. Bern took the children to live in Halifax and there John became interested in the Nursery business. He and his mother moved to California for 4 years where they became qualified as licensed florists. They sold their interests in the store they were partners in and moved back to Liverpool where John purchased the building shown and he practised his talent until be became ill. He lived the remainder of his life in Hunts Point at the family cottage. He sold his interest in the store to Mr. Sarty. He had great talent and won many awards for his floral designs; a true artist.
ReplyDeleteJohn Ratchford was still operating the Liverpool Flower Shop during the seventies as I used to go in on weekends to help out if he had a huge wedding or funeral to get ready for. John also employed two ladies from Milton who were reliable and trusted hard working ladies. We all received training at that time from John. He was never in partnership with Mr. Sarty. In the 1980's, John became disabled and Mr. Sarty took over for a short time.
ReplyDeleteJohn also was a certified, licensed hair stylist, and operated a hair salon for men and women upstairs in the building.