1888 After more than two centuries of farming and farrier background Ezra Janes broke away from the village based family tradition and commenced making shoes for people instead of shoeing horses

Three years after operating his business from a cottage, Ezra decided that he would build a house and shop. Firstly he negotiated the purchase of a property round the green only to find that he had bought it from a man who didn’t even own it and so lost his deposit.

In 1891 the original eight room building was erected which now forms the main part of Janes.

To make way for his new edifice, ‘Glass Bottle Row’ had to be demolished. This consisted of thirteen cottages, which adjoined Broomstick Cottage (behind 8 High Street) and the newsagents and housed over one hundred people. There was an open stream running along the front, which is now in a brick culvert under the pavement and also until recently marked the Beds/Bucks border.

Ezra did rounds in Dagnall, Ringshall and Little Gaddesden collecting shoe orders and repairs.

Meanwhile Ezra continued his activities as Clerk to Edlesborough Parish Council,
retiring after 36 years. His first official appointment came in 1894 when he was appointed Assessor and Collector of Taxes.

1918 After Charles, Ezra’s son, returned from service in the First World War he became involved in the business and after he married Ethel in 1921 moved into the shop. Charles introduced the hire and recharge of accumulator batteries for wirelesses, from that he went on to selling radios and cycles.

1941 When Philip, Ezra’s Grandson, finished school at the Cedars in Leighton Buzzard he began to get involved in the business but on being called up in 1943 Charles had to hold fought until war was once again over.

1948 Philip moved into the shop with his new wife Mary and so remained for 20 years. Through this period with the help of his brother, Don, the business grew and with the demise of shoe making and repairing, the shoe retailing side grew, along with the addition of electrical appliances such as kettles, irons, wash boilers and spin driers, etc. By now the business had been separated into two shops with the shoe shop and the cycle/electrical shop standing next to one another in the High Street.

1970 During the seventies Martin and Peter, Ezra’s Great grandchildren, became involved in the business and in 1976 the house was converted into extended shop premises also the Carpet sales were now becoming a more significant part of the business.

1994 One hundred and three years of local history came to an end when Martin and Peter closed the shoe shop doors for the last time. Whilst the cycle, electrical and carpet side of the business was very much alive they saw that, with the current trend in shopping habits, it was prudent to finish the shoe business and concentrate on the other areas of trading.

2004 the shop at No 8 High Street became vacant and the decision was taken to open up through our present store and fit it as our carpet showroom. Martins daughter Louise came to manage the new store and we have seen a real growth in this area of the company’s trading, thanks mainly to repeat business with satisfied customers as well as new people experiencing the service and help we seek to provide.

To the left you will see our current Janes staff photo. This was taken in early May 2007. Allow us to introduce ourselves.....

From Left to right

Marcus, Andrew & Louise (Ezra’s Great, Great Grandchildren) Martin (Director) Janet, Vera, Peter (Director) Ken, George and Jeff