A short history of The Egg Stores in Stoke Newington, London

The Egg Stores in East London’s Stoke Newington is one of the locations pinpointed on our Hackney Type Map by London-based type and technology designer Lilly Marques. Here she recalls its known history and outlines the design qualities of its typographic sign, which has become a cultural reference for the neighbourhood.

Stoke Newington High Street's treasured landmark, The Egg Stores originally opened in 1951 as an egg dealing business. The shop has changed hands many times and was even destroyed in a fire, however its wonderful Fat-face lettering on a blue and white background was restored each time. Today it is a Jewish supermarket selling kosher foods.

It's lettering is reminiscent of the Festival of Britain-era, a Twentieth-century Egyptian type, whereby the depth of the italic letter is of great importance. A wonderful demonstration of the contrast in each letter with an emphasis on a particular aspect of a letter — flush acrylic fascia, type laid on in plastic.

It’s grand in scale and makes a superb design. The Egg Stores sign acts as a cultural reference to what was once, in a village-like part of the borough moments from Stoke Newington Church Street, bringing character to the building.

Find it on our Hackney Type Map available to buy here