Today, locals are more likely to pop into Bridge Hardware for advice before buying a secure door entry system for a public building or to have a key cut.
Jeff said: “All we have done since taking over is to get the stock back up and introduce haberdashery,key cutting, Flo Gas and generally tried to build the shop back up to what it used to be. We probably get between 50 and 60 people through the door on average each day.”
For Jeff, whose background is in the construction industry and the motor trade, the chance to take over the shop came up after he had been out of work for two-and-a-half years. Tracey worked at Morrisons for ten years and previously worked at what was Geest and for one of the Co-op stores.
For her, working at the shop has a sense of returning to her earlier days, because she attended secondary school in Crowland.
Meet them both on Saturday when they will be having a sale day in the shop.
However, the couple, who live in West Pinchbeck, would be interested to see anyone with old photographs of Crowland as well as Bridge Hardware.