I took these photographs of this lovely old lady back in 2014, with the opening one immediately becoming an all time fave. Needless to say it was a completely unexpected encounter, which, after that initial shot, resulted in me lifting up all the remaining shutters, helping out with a difficult to move sliding door, and then being told in no uncertain terms to wash my hands after such dirty work.
Once cleaned up, I was then offered some instant ramen, along with a selection of alcoholic beverages in miniature bottles that were magically produced from a nearby cupboard. Offers I had to politely decline as it wasn’t the right time of day for any of them, but it was also clear that more than anything, she just wanted someone to talk to, even if that person grew up in a very different environment, and also didn’t quite understand every word she said. So we chatted for a while, and she told me a bit about her life. One that she now lived alone, in her former business, and where visits weren’t anywhere near as frequent as she’d have liked. She also apologised for the stuff piled up here, there and everywhere, but at 93 years of age, she was simply too old and too tired to do much about It.
Before I left and continued on my walk. she kindly posed for a couple of portraits, and then we said our goodbyes. An encounter that for me at least was incredibly memorable. Plus, as time passed, it became increasingly poignant, as I never saw her again. In fact, I never even saw the shutters open. Well, until just recently that is, when the building was being ripped apart for renovation. So I stepped inside one more time to take one last photo. This time though there was no conversation or offers of alcohol. No life either. Not even any signs of it. Just the silence of an empty building that was once a home.
Denise says
It’s so sad but thank you for sharing this story.
Lee says
You are welcome. Yeah, it is sad, but very glad I got the chance to meet and photograph her.
Arno says
This is why I love the website. Thanks.
Lee says
That’s very nice to hear. Thank you.
cdilla says
Lovely to see more of your photographs of her. I had a look at street view and none of the 15 or so shots between 2009 and 2025 saw the shutters open. At least the building is not being torn down. It is an interesting shape to have survived.
Lee says
Thanks. Yeah, she must have opened them at other times I assume, but never saw them. There’s a door too, so she’d have likely used that most of the time. But yes, good the building is going to survive. Be interesting to see what they do with it.
Linda says
I’m gonna believe you never saw her again because she moved to live with loving family and/or friends, who convinced her even though it was hard for her to leave her clutter behind. Thank you for sharing these.
Lee says
You are very welcome, and that is a really good way of looking at it. I’m happy to go along with that too.
YesterdaysHero says
Thanks for caring and for your persistence , Lee. These small stories mean so much.
Lee says
It was very much my pleasure. And thanks, I think so too.