This furniture shop has a fascinating history. The Rowntree Society gives the following information - 'York’s first purpose built cinema, the Electric Theatre (today MacDonald’s furniture store) opened in 1911 and closed in 1951. It was commonly known as the Laugh and Scratch. There are surviving oral history accounts mentioning walking on the snap crackle and pop of peanut shells, the playing of piano for horse scenes and a violin for sob stories, and of people given items in kind like jam jars instead of payment to get in.'
I have only ever known it as a furniture store, and several items of our furniture were purchased there.
I don't know what the significance is of the large stuffed hippo sat outside, but I suspect he collects for charity. He's been there for quite a while!
It's rather uncertain if and when I will be able to post over the next few days, since Lucy's wedding is now imminent, but there will be wedding photos posted after the wedding.
Thank you all for your generous and thoughtful comments, and all the favs - another shot on the popular page!
Ian
Thank you both for your lovely comments.
Lizzy, the angle was OK, but it was dictated by the very narrow road that this building is on!
Ian