Much loved Edinburgh grocer selling shop after 33 years of loyally serving community

Mr Terry is giving up the shop on Marchmont Road in favour of retirement.

A grocer is selling his beloved shop in Marchmont after 33 years serving the local community.

Grant Terry, owner of D Fraser McLeod’s, says the new owners intend to carry the business on as a greengrocer.

The shop was selling fresh produce before Mr Terry purchased it with his father in 1986, and ensuring it carried on in this manner was important to him.

He said: “It’s been a fruit shop for well over 100 years, so I wanted it to continue being a fruit shop. I wouldn’t sell it to a hairdresser, I wanted it to continue to be a shop.

“It was up for sale for a wee while and I found the right guy who’s going to be good.”

Mr Terry is giving up the shop on Marchmont Road in favour of retirement.

And the decision will certainly be a change of pace, having been involved with retail for most of his life.

The shop was selling fresh produce before Mr Terry purchased it with his father in 1986

He explains that his father worked in the industry as well and that it has always been a familiar environment for him.

He said: “I’ve grown up in shops. My dad worked in the fruit market [when he] heard about this shop, so we decided to go into it together.

“I had just finished school and here we are 33 years later.”

Mr Terry has been extra busy as of late and is handling customers solo after losing two staff members due to lockdown and coronavirus distancing measures.

Offering a delivery service in the midst of lockdown created all the more chaos while tending independently to the shop, but his decision to retire is unrelated to Covid-19.

The work was simply causing too much strain on his health and while Mr Terry has mixed feelings about retirement, he believes he’s making the right call.

He explained: “I work far too many hours so I need a rest. My heart’s not what it was so my doctor said to take it a bit easier.”

Patrons are sad to see the departure but have nothing but well wishes for the veteran grocer.

Patrons are sad to see the departure but have nothing but well wishes for the veteran grocer.

One loyal customer, Dioni MacEachen, wished him well and looks forward to welcoming the new owners when they open up for business.

She said: “Grant always has a wry comment and some cheery banter for each customer.

“We’ve loved being his customers and joined in the tradition of giving him a jar of the many jams we’ve made from his berries over the years.”

On the new owners, Ms MacEachen added: “We hope they continue with a big range of fruit, veg, and deli items. It’s hard work to manage such a variety but the local community really values the shop and the owners will find a warm welcome.”

Edinburgh will remain home for animal-loving Mr Terry, who plans to “foster lots of dogs” in his retirement.

Another main draw for the grocer is the novelty of a free weekend, a foreign concept to most retail workers.

He said: “Saturday is the first day I’m going to be off. I’ve not had a Saturday off in ten years, so that’s going to be strange waking up in bed.”

Mr Terry will ring up his final bill for customers on July 31.

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