2 Albany Street (shop)
Some other plots had already been built on the North side when James Dodds, a builder, received permission to build the corner tenement in 1814. It was probably completed a few years later and consisted of two shops on the street level and three flats entered from a common stair. A third shop was entered from Dublin Street (and so not included in this history). Up until 1860, when the two shops became numbered 2 and 4 and the residential flats 2a, occupiers are listed as living at Numbers 2 and 4, without any clear indication whether a shop owner or a resident, or in which part. Also, it appears that at least Number 2 had living accommodation attached. This listing below is an assumption as to who was resident in this shop, based on what evidence has been found, but see also Number 4 (shop).
1820 – 1826 John Bonar
A Wine and Spirits Merchant whose main business premises were in Leith Street. In 1828, he closed his business after 25 years of trading. (advert from 1823)
1826 – 1828 Alexander Welsh
Welsh previously had a grocer’s business in Northumberland Street, in partnership with Elizabeth Welsh. A newspaper advertisement announced the dissolution of partnership and stated that Alexander would be operating from Albany Street and Elizabeth at the former address. For whatever reason, Welsh's business closed, although Elizabeth’s Northumberland Street grocers continued to thrive.
Johnston and Easton
Wrights (Carpenters)
John Maben
Maben, an accountant advertised that he had constructed at the premises in Albany Street: ‘A Fire-Proof Depository – Bonds, Deeds, Leases, Written Securities, and family plate Chests may be securely deposited therein, and free access thereto during office hours, from 10 till 4 o’clock daily.’
1837 – 1859 Thomas Calder1859 –1879 William Stewart
Thomas Calder, an ironmonger, his wife, Jane (neé Finnie) and at least two young children, moved here from Clyde Street. In 1832, Calder had been declared bankrupt but having satisfied his creditors with a payment of 5s for each £1 owed, he clearly restarted in business. A few years after moving into Albany Street he also took work premises in St Andrews Lane. In January 1847, his ironmongery shop is listed as one from where special charity tickets can be bought. The advert states: ‘The directors consider it proper at this Season to remind the public there is a Soup Kitchen attached to the House of Refuge for the Destitute in Canongate, and that tickets are held at the places listed, at a penny each, which entitles the holder to receive a substantial meal. The directors would strongly urge upon persons who are in the habit of giving money to street beggars, to furnish themselves with a supply of these tickets as in giving them they may rest assured their charity cannot be thrown away.’
In 1846, The Scotsman reported: ‘Last night Mr Thomas Calder, ironmonger, was entertained at supper in the Star Hotel, Prince’s Street, and presented with a handsome testimonial, in acknowledgement of the important services rendered by him for many years past, in connection with the registration of the liberal voters in the Third Municipal District. Upwards of sixty gentlemen were present including the Lord Provost who presided….Calder was presented with a handsome gold watch and chain, together with an elegant silver tea-pot, cream ewer and sugar basin…The meeting did not separate till a late hour.’
Calder put his business up for sale around 1858, perhaps as he and his wife were now needing to retire, for both died in 1862, and William Stewart, who lived in Dublin Street, took over the business.
1881 advert
1881 – 1883 Glen & ChapmanIn 1882, Glen and Chapman, Drapers, were sued by two sisters, Jane and Janet Todd. The sisters had been employed by the firm as dressmakers, and claimed that they were owed £3.4s and £4.11s, respectively. The owners raised a counter-action, claiming damages due to the two having on one occasion closed the workroom an hour and half earlier than the proper time, misfitted customers’ dresses, and made slanderous statements about the firm to a customer. What Janet had actually said to the customer, according to her sister, was that if the firm had charged the woman for thirteen yards of cloth when only twelve had been used, then that was dishonest. The judge upheld the sisters’ claims. However, although he disregarded the firm’s claim regarding the early workshop closure and the misfitting of dresses, he deducted £2.2s from Janet’s money, as he thought her remarks to the customer had been ‘injudicious.’ Possibly the publicity was bad for business because the shop closed the next year.
1883 – 1915 Misses Kerr
Fruit shop