Wem High Street - No 43-45
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| Year | Owner/Occupier | Property Useage |
| 1830 | Thos Kynaston | Grocer & Ironmonger |
| 1861 | Henry Kynaston | Grocer & Ironmonger |
| 1881 | Thomas Kynaston (aged 35) | Grocer & ironmonger |
| 1935 | Kynaston Brothers | Grocers & ironmongers |
| 1953 | Kynastons | Ironmongers |
| 1981-84 | Lewis and Griffeths | Ironmongers |
| 1984 | Kings | Ironmongers |
| 2011 | Kings | Ironmongers |
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In 1830, Thomas Kynaston (Grocer and Ironmonger) was listed in Pigot's directory as being established on the High Street. The 1850 Kelly lists it as being in Market street. The 1861 census records Henry Kynaston (aged 41) and his wife being resident with 6 children.The problem with directories and censuses before 1880 is that they do not list the actual address, so location is largely guesswork. By 1881, Kynaston (Grocer and Ironmonger) were established at 41-43 and an ironmongers has been there ever since.In 1934, they were described as agricultural implement dealers,general ironmongers,garden requisites, seed merchants and house furnishers' A major range of supplies all vital to a small market town.Above the door, on a metal hanger that is still there, was a large key that creaked in the wind. Kynastons retired in the early 1980s, to be replaced by Lewis and Griffeths who used to trade across the road. Unfortunately, after 3 years they ceased trading and the shop was taken over by Kings.
By 1912, the wallpaper department on the first floor had closed, but the ground floor was stocked with everthing from timber to garden implements and from seeds to ironmongery. In the classic old phrase 'everything from a button to a locomotive'!
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Top end of High St with Kynaston's Ironmongers sign hanging just beyond the bank in 1960s |
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