Although today we only have one shop in the village, in years past there were several. In the village centre was a general stores and grocers shop, plus the present Dairy.
In the building to the left of the Gospel Hall (now Pound Barn) was a second hand shop. David Moreton remembers buying an air rifle there, through a large hatchway in the front of the building (he still has the rifle!). He also remembers the Tuck Shop (Columbine) and he used to make toys to sell there. Another ex-resident of the village mentions buying sweets from this shop. In addition, there was a bakery in Brookfield – Osborne’s – and another shop round the corner in Brook Cottage that David Moreton can remember selling fireworks.
The Mill also sold fresh bread from the Bakery at the top of the steps, now a holiday cottage. More recently, Stable House Gallery next to Primrose Café was a gallery/gift shop and of course, there was always a Post Office however, that finally closed in 2009.
The village took steps to save the village shop – Lustleigh Dairy – when it was threatened with closure. Forming a company and selling shares to locals, enough money was raised to buy the property and lease the business. It is still run on this basis today…
