Gwalia Stores

What type of building is Gwalia Stores?

Gwalia Stores is a typical shop like many found in the south Wales Valleys. It is from Ogmore Vale, near Bridgend.

Who owned Gwalia Stores?

In 1880 William Llewellyn developed their grocery business by buying this shop. The original shop comprised just the central section, flanked by the storeroom on one side and William and his wife, Mary’s home on the other. The shop soon expanded to include the ground and first floor of the adjoining three houses.

William and Mary took on several staff who lived in the attic of Gwalia. Their salary was 8 shillings (40p) per week.

As their business flourished, the owners moved from living above the shop to a large house in the Vale of Glamorgan. William became a local Liberal politician and property owner and was the first in the area to own a car which he proudly called Genevieve.

What did Gwalia Stores sell?

Gwalia was built next to the railway station in Ogmore Vale and goods from all over the world was delivered to its doors. Tea came from China and India, sugar from the Caribbean and Africa, and coffee beans from Brazil. Bacon, cheese, eggs and butter were supplied by local farms. Staff members would weigh the amount of tea required and grind coffee beans to order.

In 1916 Gwalia included a grocery, ironmongery, bakery, gentlemen’s outfitters, chemist and animal feed store. They sold everything. One inhabitant of Ogmore Vale recalls “this store was our Harrods in those days.”

Biscuits such as Custard Creams, Jammy Dodgers and Garibaldi were sold in the shop, and broken biscuits were sold at a discount price.

How did Gwalia Stores keep food cold?

Before the days of fridges and freezers, cold food such as meat and cheese would be kept on a marble counter.

Why did Gwalia Stores close?

The Llewellyn family sold the shop in 1945. It finally shut in 1973, having lost its battle against the supermarkets in Bridgend.