End of an Era

After 55 years and 2 generations, they will be closing at the end of January 2012.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

This is 'the Shop' that had been there ever since I can remember and I think that part of my love of textile comes from looking at all these different items: handkerchiefs, tablecloths, tea towels, dressing table sets, napkins, embroideries, crochets, venetian lace.......... and the opportunity to feel and touch all these textures.

vintage pure Irish linen tea towels

Fine linen napkins with organdy inserts and embroidery

"The building will be auctioned on 8th December and the shop, which was started by Raymond and Lucie Ling in 1956 and is currently operated by their son Geoff and his wife Amy, will close at the beginning of next year.

In its heyday, the Fine Art Linen Company was a mecca for young women, who would travel from all parts of Melbourne to stock up their glory boxes with the finest, hand-embroidered linen and napery from China, and stunning silk lingerie reminiscent of 1930s Hollywood.

Most people now know it as the tea-towel shop, but some of the stock that will be coming out of the back room goes back a long way and hence the quality and workmanship is far superior to modern equivalents; there are even some vintage 1960s teatowels!" 

written by Helena Ling

These things may not be everyone's cup of tea anymore but if you are nearby, pop in and have a look. If you mention you have seen this blog post, there may be an extra discount for you!

By the way, Raymond who founded the shop was my grandfather! He started exporting wool to China and imported napery/linen to Australia.