S. Luca, the Olympia Cafe in Musselburgh, East Lothian

Category

Library Item

Item no

21902

Title

S. Luca, the Olympia Cafe in Musselburgh, East Lothian

Description

An image of S.Luca's The Olympia Cafe in Musselburgh. The entrance is covered with the name of the shop running along it. The window displays jars of sweets. In front of the shop two small metal tables stand. To the left of the shop is a large arched entrance in front of which cars are parked.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2010

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

S. Luca's of Musselburgh are ice cream manufacturers who have shops in Musselburgh and Edinburgh. Luca's began in Musselburgh in 1908 when Italian immigrants Luca and Anastasia Scappaticcio opened the Olympia Refreshment Rooms (now known as the Olympia Café). Luca had learned how to make ice cream whilst working at the North British Hotel. Lucas is still a family business, now in its third generation. Luca Scappaticcio switched his first name and family name and called his business S. Luca and not L. Scappaticcio as it was much easier to pronounce.

The town of Musselburgh is situated at the mouth of the river Esk, roughly 6 miles to the east of central Edinburgh. The site was inhabited as far back as the 1st century AD when the Romans built a fort and a bridge crossing the river here. The town takes its name from the mussel beds located in the river mouth. These have provided a long-standing source of income for the town's residents. Musselburgh is home to a famous racecourse established in 1816. The town's tolbooth dates from 1590. The nearby mercat cross, an historic focal point for commercial activity and town events, dates from the 18th century.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Places > Scotland > East Lothian

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Cafes

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