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| THE OLD UMBRELLA SHOP |
Although opened as a grocery shop in the 1860s, it was operated by the Shott family between 1921 and 1979, selling their handmade umbrellas. Today it is owned and operated by the National Trust.
Initially Shott's moved to the shop next door to this one. Reading a description of their wares from an advertisement in the Examiner in December 1909, makes one a little envious, even although some very nice umbrellas can still be brought in George Street today.
"If it is an umbrella for a man friend, there is a lovely twill silk, with 18-carat gold-mounted ivory handle for 30s. This is made on the best frame, Hoyland's ribs being used, so that the frame can be covered again and again, Silver mounted handles have the reliable Partridge stems and Fox's Paragon frames, and are equally strong and durable, but cheaper than the gold mountings, or course. Then while still thinking or the gift for "father," I must mention canes which can be mounted to any order by Mr. Shott in gold and silver. Umbrellas for women folk are also mounted beautifully in 18-carat gold, and sterling silver on lovely ivory or pearl handles, with cable chain to slip over the wrist. But the greatest of all the novelties is the "spring-opening"' umbrella. Just touch a spring in the handle and the umbrella simply opens itself, slips into its slot, and remains securely open. Touch the spring again and it slides down to its closing point, and there you are with a self-acting umbrella. All kinds of beautiful silks in floral panels, striped, checked, and patterned silks and satins, as well as black and white, are in stock, and Mr. Shott will make up a parasol on a reliable Paragon frame at the shortest notice, ranging in the price from 4s 6d to 12s 6d and upwards."
According to Beverley Heathcote's A Walk Through Launceston's History, the land on which the Old Umbrella Shop is built was first granted to surveyor Thomas Scott, and the shop was built as a grocery store during the next decade. In the 1880s the owner was Daniel Corcoran, and the business was operated as "The White House Grocery."
