Carvells, where the Merchantman Pub is now, was one of the oldest Wholesalers in town. I often went there with dad to pick out some produce for our store. When I finished my term as Mayor, the Downtown Business Association presented me with a painting of the building, done by Cynthia Cudmore, as it looked years ago. Carvells and Clark Fruit would often be left with a large amount of bananas which they would have to move in a hurry. The largest amount I remember selling in one day was 100 forty pound boxes at 10 pounds for $1.00 or the 40 pound box for $3.00. That would be 4000 pounds -a lot of banana cakes!

For many years, our store was considered the last stop before crossing the Hillsborough Bridge. A large portion of our business came from the farming community on the east side of the bridge. Some of the names that come to mind are the Driscolls, Murnaghans, Buells, Keenans, McMillans, Ings, McKennas, Beatons, MacRaes, Brazels, MacCallums and Stewarts. In recent years, I used to see Willard Stewart quite often when shopping at "K F oods". He said that he was the second person to enter our store when it opened in 1936. He told the story of the time he bought a box full of groceries, took them out to his sleigh and dropped it in such a way as to frighten the horse which then bolted towards the bridge. He ran fast enough that he was able to jump in the back and gain control.

The only problem was that he had not paid for his groceries and was almost at the bridge so he kept on going. When he came in the store the next week he said, " Albert, did you think I would not come back?" Dad replied, "No, I don't even know your name, but I knew you would be back." I also remember the MacCallums, who lived in Hazelbrook, as they had a huge grape vine that was over 75 years old. Apparently, they made wine for the Anglican Church years ago. We would pick the leaves to make grape leaf rolls similar to cabbage rolls.

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