Address: 15 Stonegate, York, YO1 8ZW (now the Botanist)
Description
Gleaming copper lettering on the bottom of two window panels announces ‘Fine China & Crystal’, adding elegance to the storefront.
History
In 1895, the building was owned by Ralph Hebden Roundell Hawkswell, a dealer in old prints and engravings born in 1847.
By 1901, Hawkswell had expanded his business into antiques and was still operating from the same building in 1913. After his death in 1917, Hawkswell Sr.’s store passed to his son, Hawkswell Jr.
As populations grew and more people moved from the countryside into cities, York saw an increase in antique dealers.
By 1930, the city had 45 antique dealers, including Hawkswell’s shop on Stonegate. By 1970, the number had grown to 63.
Early 1900s – Another antique dealer on Stonegate, just down the road from Hawkswell’s
Hawkswell Jr. continued running the business until his death in 1958. The latter years of the 20th century brought rapid changes to the antiques trade in Britain.
Many dealers closed their shops, retired, or modified their trading activities.
Today, the building is home to The Botanist, a cocktail bar.
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