One of the oldest family-run shops in Caerphilly has closed its doors for the last time.
Sam Jones opened the fruit and veg shop on Cardiff Road in June 1956. Grandsons Neil, 58, and Antony, 59, have now brought a 64-year family dynasty to an end.
Neil and Anthony took over the full-time running of the shop from their parents in 1999.
At the time, Antony who was a civil servant, joined his brother Neil to run the shop after their parents, Fay and Hubert Jones, retired.
The business has its roots in 1926 when Sam Jones started with a horse and cart selling coal and wood.
By the time of the Second World War, Sam had five horse and carts and set up shop in Bargoed.
Others in Rhymney, Blackwood, Cascade, Tredegar, and Caerphilly, followed, but the Caerphilly shop is the last.
The Caerphilly branch has evolved over the years. During the 1970s, the Joneses began the flower business, while in the early 1980s, they turned to self-service. They also offered home deliveries.
One of the highlights was when they were asked to do the floral arrangements for the Royal visit of Prince Charles and Camilla to Caerphilly Castle in June 2007. Neil quipped: “So we have Royal connections!”
However, retailing has changed, possibly not for the better, and the shop has faced several challenges.
Neil said: “Shopping habits have changed. People don’t have time to come, to pick everything up in the shop. It’s really sad.”
Together with changing customer trends, Neil has also had a spell of ill-health and this has been compounded with rising business rates and costs.
Neil added: “We did not want to go. If I had been okay, we would keep going.”
Antony is now looking for a new job following the shop’s closure on Wednesday, February 19.
He said: “We are quite sad that we have to close the business. It’s a big change of life for us, but it’s just something we have to do really.”
The shop premises have already been sold.
Good luck to the Jones brothers. Been fabulous having your shop in town. Sorry to see you go but new doors to open
I grew up with Neil all through my schooling. Lovely family. Our wedding flowers were from Jonses and every family funeral the flowers again were done by them. Will be missed from the town centre but good luck to both boys in your next venture.
Gutted its closing , wish I used it more! Good luck for the future !
Really sad to see you close, have always done my flowers. Wishing you both well
Very sad to hear this
Such a shame Tony – you could always try coming back to HMRC x
Good luck to you all love Phyle Hardy
An end of an Era. I will always remember the shop. It will be very strange not to see all the Christmas stuff outside every year! Sad day….
Thank you both for the years of service to the town. Enjoy your pastures new. ??
Good luck for the future Neil and Anthony, you will be missed
From
The WADDON family.
I am saddened to see one of our own local and old businesses going. I received a few lovely bouquets from Joneses and loved seeing their displays. I remember going in and seeing an array of fruit, veg and flowers over the years. I would like to wish all the very best to both Neil and his brother.
A truly family friendly business thank you for your beautiful flower arrangement s for my daughters weddings good luck and health for the future
Really sad to read this- but good luck in new adventures – Sian x
What a shame. I know it’s a bit morbid, but my great nan always insisted, family flowers for all funerals had to be from the Jones’s. Good luck for the future, you will be missed.
Good luck to all the family …. thank you so much for everything over the years ….. especially the cob nuts …!!!
Best …. and only place I knew of in Caerphilly to buy them.
You will be missed.
Gna miss making chips with mucky Maris piper! ?X
Neil & Anthony. Thanking your family & you both for your services to Caerphilly town for the many years.
Good luck & best wishes to you both for your future.
Good Luck Guys. So sorry to hear of your closing. X Onwards & Upwards!
Thank you for all the posies u have made for my parents at Xmas time very nice people will be missed
Good luck for the future. Always loved the shop in Bargoed growing up. A proper florist and green grocers. XXX
So sorry to see the shop closed, was a big part of Caerphilly.
Always bought flowers for all occasions from there.
Will really miss both Neil and Anthony always a warm welcome and friendly chat.
Good luck for the future both ??
Sorry to see you have closed paul used to love his smoked haddock from you. I have known Neil and Anthony for many years and used to use them when I had my coffee shop ye olde coffee shop. Also we would always come to you for my flowers. You will be missed by loads in Caerphilly. Best wishes for your future
Their flowers made my baby sons funeral one to remember especially the orange and black cat arrangement. They did a fab job. Thanks guys.