On 16th March, Shelley Browell will celebrate a remarkable anniversary with her father Michael and daughter, Gemma.
On this date in 1924, Browells first opened its door, at 1478 Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham. The shop was originally opened by Percy & Ann Browell, Shelley’s great grandparents. This makes Shelley the fourth generation of Browells, and her daughter the fifth, to manage the family concern.
The shop remained at 1478 Pershore Road between 1924 and 1962 before moving to its current location at No.1472 on the same road. Shelley has worked in the shop for 31 years and says that during that time:
“the last of the sweet and stationary parts of the shop have gone and been replaced by cigars, including a 7ft floor standing humidor built by my father, Michael.”
She goes onto say:
“Naturally we sell a large amount of Cubans, especially Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo, but also loose hand rolling and pipe tobacco, which we still weigh on old counter weighted Avery scales.”
When asked what the future holds, traditional service with a modern approach is the order of the day.
“We will keep doing what we have always done. Giving good customer service, and good choice of goods and brands. We will continue to make sure our knowledge is up to date, just as we have been doing for the past 100 years.
With Gemma now taking a more active role in the family business the custodianship of shop is secure for another generation.
Congratulations and many happy returns from everyone at Hunters & Frankau!
