We’ve talked about the center of London shopping in the
early nineteenth century before, for example here and here. Bond Street called
to young ladies and gentlemen, offering the latest and finest in everything
from clothing to housewares and literature. It was also the home of Gentleman
Jackson’s boxing emporium and Angelo’s fencing school. But recently I became
aware that Bond Street also featured any number eateries, and some of their
wares sound downright yummy.
Take Barker’s Repository of Confectionery, at No. 106. They provided
“sweets from the Indies” according to The Epicure’s Almanack, a guide to
eating and dining from the period. I have been trying in vain to determine what
these might have entailed, with little luck. Perhaps rum cake, cookies with
coconut, and pastries with mango. Regardless, the shop was said to be popular
with the ladies, as the proprietor gave out samples. The shop also supplied sweets to the
Royal Family.
Then there’s Owen and Bentley’s Fruit Shop, near the corner
of Oxford and New Bond Street. The shop was said to boast every sort of fruit
grown in Britain as well as items imported from around the world. It also sold
jellies, ices, and liqueurs.
Henster and Company, a littler farther down, displayed all sorts of fish, including sturgeon, trout, and carp. I love their title. It simply rolls off the tongue: Fishmongers to His Majesty and the Royal Family.
Lambe’s, also suppliers to the Royal Family (do you sense a
theme, here?), had a large warehouse of bottled spa and mineral water. I had no
idea this could be purchased away from the spas.
I must notify the Spa Corporation in Grace-by-the-Sea.
Perhaps they can broker a deal.
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