Residents previously told us how they fondly remember the establishments that have come and gone, but this time, we identified some of the Larne area’s longest-lasting businesses that are still holding their own today – are there any that we’ve missed?
1. Ann's Pantry, Main Street
Established in February 1967 by Sean and Ann Agnew, Ann's Pantry was originally going to be called The Country Bakery before being named instead after its co-owner - something Ann only discovered on opening day, according to daughter and current owner, Helen Porter. Originally launched as a standalone bakery, Ann's Pantry grew to include a café, and at one point in the 1990s, the business had sites in Queen's Arcade, Carrick, and another in Larne. Ann's Pantry moved in 1985 to its current site on Main Street, winning upwards of 60 Great Taste Awards over the years. After Covid, the café reverted back to a bakery, where its traditional recipes, like Guinness wheaten and soda farls still prove popular today. Pictured above is the Main Street premises and some of the staff in the late 1980s. Photo: Ann's Pantry,
2. Allan Dorman and Son, High Street
The history of this business stretches back to 1908, when Allan Dorman took over the Cross St Saw Mill from Gault & Co to continue a business that is thought to have been trading for around 100 years prior. When in 1927 the council vested the ground occupied by the saw mill to extend Main Street, Allan secured a four acre site near the harbour with extensive storage sheds, a joinery workshop, sawing, planning and moulding mills, and the business became known as the Curran Saw Mills. Windows, doors, staircases were manufactured at the Curran Road site, while the hardware shop continued and developed at the High Street end of the old Cross Street site. Poignantly, during the Second World War, production was temporarily stood down at Curran Road for a week to make coffins for the victims of the Belfast Blitz. Allan's children, Daisy and Tom joined him in the business, taking over completely when he died suddenly in 1944. By the 1970s, Tom's son Allan Jr. became the third generation to join the flourishing business. The late 1980s saw Daisy and Tom reaching retirement and a take-over by Mallinson Denny, the owners of Ulster Timber and Downpatrick Timber and Slate Co. However, Allan Jr. remained with the new company and in 1990, he bought back the hardware shop site at High Street and returned to trade as Allan Dorman and Son. In time, Allan was joined by his son Christopher and daughter Pamela to make the fourth generation in the firm. By 2020 Christopher expanded into the Ballysnod yard with more capacity for timber, blocks, sand and cement, stone and coal as well as agricultural feed stuffs, and most recently, a mortar tower. Here, workers are pictured on the last day in the old yard in 1987. Photo: Allan Dorman and Sons
3. Taste Coffee Shop, Murrayfield
Originally called The Country Kitchen, this coffee shop opened in 1981. Having started out as a bakery, it evolved over time into a daytime café/restaurant. Owned now by Gillian Davis, the business has always been in the Davis family. Over the years it has seen many changes including an expanded menu, and the rebranding of the business in 2021, with a new name, new signage, and new interior. Photo: Gillian Davis
4. Inver Garden Centre, Millbrook
Inver Garden Centre started at owner, John Shannon's nursery on Casements Brae in 1970 initially as a market garden, and slowly developed into a garden centre in 1980. From the outset the focus of the business was always plants, with bedding plants and vegetable plants still grown in the family's own glasshouses based at Casements Brae. The Garden Centre moved to Millbrook in 1987, and today is owned by John and his wife Norma with three members of staff, all who are horticulturally trained. Among the highlights through the years occurred on the 10th anniversary of the centre's move to Millbrook, when they hosted one of Britain’s best-known gardeners, Alan Titchmarsh. Photo: John Shannon