At 80, Greengrocer Robin Blair Still Runs 150-Year-Old Family Business

At 80 years old, most people are enjoying a quiet retirement. Robin Blair is just getting started. Every morning at 4:30 a.m., he rises to prepare for the day ahead, a routine he has kept for decades. His family has a saying that has guided his life: "There are two chairs that will kill you in life — the electric chair and the armchair."

Blair has no intention of sitting in the latter. As the owner of JJ Blair & Sons in Darlington, North-East of England, he runs a greengrocery business that has been in his family for 150 years. While he admits capital punishment won't apply to him, he insists there is no way he will retire to put his feet up and sit in front of the TV. It is simply not in his nature, or his blood.

"There are two chairs that will kill you in life — the electric chair and the armchair."

His father, Joe, worked in the same greengrocery until he was in his nineties. The business was founded in 1875 by Robin's grandfather, Jack. For Blair, the trade is more than a job; it is a legacy that has defined his existence since birth.

Blair's involvement with the family business began before he could walk. "You could say I joined the trade when I was a few months old in 1940," he recalls. Based at an indoor market, his mother would tuck him under the counter while she served customers. By the time he was five, he was actively sowing seeds, planting cabbages, and looking after tomatoes.

As a child, he and his siblings were given their own plots of land to work, allowed to keep the proceeds. This fostered a friendly rivalry over who could make the biggest profit. Blair favored vegetables with a quick return, like lettuce. He was so eager to join the trade that he left school at 15 to work full-time, despite the physical demands.

In the early days, the operation was entirely self-sufficient. They grew everything themselves and transported it via a horse-drawn cart. The morning routine involved harvesting and washing produce, then loading it onto a wooden cart pulled by their horse, Bobby, for the three-and-a-half-mile journey to the market.

• Harvesting and washing produce in the morning
• Loading a wooden cart for transport
• Traveling three-and-a-half miles to the market
• Auctioning leftovers at night

Blair's grandfather, Jack, was a proud man who insisted on polishing Bobby's harness before every trip. Neither he nor Robin's father would dream of using a mechanical vehicle. Everything remained horse-drawn, preserving the traditional methods of the trade.

The market in Darlington ran from 3 p.m. to midnight. At 9 p.m., the manager would ring a bell, signaling the start of auctions for leftover stock. "It was fun shouting out your wares to attract the highest bidder," Blair remembers. In those days, there was no refrigeration; unsold produce was taken back to the nursery to compost.

Blair still lives by the motto instilled in him during those years: "More flash, more cash." This means the better the produce appears, the more money you make. He ensures the apples on his stand gleam and the bananas are at the perfect stage of ripeness. He also takes pride in writing price signs in pounds, ounces, and kilograms, treating the lettering like calligraphy.

The 1960s, 70s, and much of the 80s were the glory days. The indoor and outdoor markets were bustling hubs of activity with nearly 200 stands. However, the arrival of big supermarkets changed everything. They began undercutting prices, and customers favored the convenience and free parking.

"They're fighting among themselves over pricing, undercutting us, and it's hard to compete."

Despite these challenges, Blair remains resilient. He grows his own soft fruits—including strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries—in greenhouses. Today, JJ Blair & Sons is the only greengrocer left in the market, relying on loyal customers who value fresh produce and personal service.

A strong work ethic was instilled in Blair from childhood, making the early starts easy. He wakes daily at 4:30 a.m. to prepare for the market, which opens at 8 a.m. He usually returns to the nursery around 3 p.m., where he also tends to bedding plants. His working day is long, often lasting until 8 or even 10 p.m. in the summer to take advantage of the lighter nights.

He works six days a week, a schedule that would exhaust many half his age. Yet, he finds energy in the trade itself. "This trade has given me a better life than I could have hoped for," he says. He is delighted to still be running the business at 80 and looks forward to his 81st birthday in May with plans to keep going for years after.

His wife, Alwyn, plays a crucial role in keeping him happy and healthy. He maintains a positive outlook despite the physical toll and the changing landscape of retail. The business is currently run with the help of his daughter, Alyson, and grandson, Jamie.

• Wakes at 4:30 a.m. daily
• Works 6 days a week
• Market opens at 8:00 a.m.
• Can work until 10:00 p.m. in summer

Blair's dedication is a testament to the family's resilience. The business has survived wars, economic shifts, and the rise of industrial retail, all under the stewardship of the Blair family.

While Blair is committed to the future, he acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the business's longevity. "It makes me sad to think what might happen after I'm gone," he admits. The question of succession looms as he continues to lead the charge at an age when most have long since stepped back.

His daughter, Alyson, is involved in the daily operations, but her commitment to taking over the mantle permanently remains uncertain. When asked if she will continue the family tradition, she laughs and says, "Never say never."

Blair's younger brother, Keith, was his business partner until his death in 2013. The loss was felt deeply, but Blair has carried on. He hopes the values of quality and personal service that have sustained the business for 150 years will endure.

"Never say never."

For now, Robin Blair remains at his post. He polishes the fruit, writes his calligraphic signs, and greets the loyal customers who have kept the business alive. As long as he can, he will be there, proving that the armchair is not an option.

Robin Blair's story is one of unwavering dedication and traditional values in a modern world. At 80, he defies the conventional notion of retirement, driven by a family ethos that values activity over idleness.

His daily life is a testament to the physical and mental stamina required to run a family business that has survived for a century and a half. Despite the dominance of supermarkets, he has carved out a niche based on quality and community connection.

As he looks toward his 81st birthday, the future of JJ Blair & Sons remains a question mark. However, Blair's influence ensures that the legacy of the greengrocery remains vibrant for as long as he is at the helm.