Back in the day: What are you having, sir?

Last Friday’s photo — Easter Parade

Last week’s photo, right, was a little more challenging, but our callers still managed to lead us down memory lane. Two history sleuths, one named Teresa, said that this was Shell Gas Station’s Easter Parade float, complete with pump and staff, from an occasion in the mid-1950s.

Teresa reminisced how folks would put on their best clothes and head out to watch the parade, and that businesses would themselves participate. She also said that real flowers were more readily available in those times, as you can see with the lilies covering the float.

Dad’s shop

Howard Rego also called when he saw his father Victor Rego’s shop, The People’s Market, in the background. It stood where the New Washington Mall is now, and was the first shop Victor owned along with his brothers Manuel and August. They later owned the Shopping Centre on Victoria Street, where Victor was murdered in 1973 (Erskine Burrows and Larry Tacklyn were convicted of the crime).

“I was raised there,” said Mr. Rego of his father’s shop, and shared how the place had a “good spirit”, and that his father would give away food in hard times. 

What are you having, sir? Recognize any of these barmen? Know what the occasion was? Tell us know what you know about this photo.
And do you have any extraordinary, old photos to share? E-mail Photo Editor Gary Skelton: [email protected]. Or call him: 278-1880 *Photo courtesy of Scott Stallard