On a visit to Stromness in July 2017, while walking along Victoria Street, I chanced upon a shop with the words “Soda Fountain, Teas, Coffee Saloon”” encased in coloured mosaic above the windows.  Elaine, the present owner of what is now a ladies’ clothes shop willingly provided background information.

The business was owned by a G Fugaccia. His name is written in mosaic at the doorway. Elaine had a photograph of the owner taken outside the shop around 1920. The exterior is readily recognisable. She also had an enlargement of a newspaper cutting advertising the services of the Soda Fountain.

On returning home, a little research revealed that the owner was Giulio Fugaccia, who died in 1940.  It is not known whether the business survived his passing.

Giulio’s grand-daughter, Helen Skye Fugaccia Morton, posted some photographs on the Orkney Image website. She reports that the mosaic and marble at 41 Victoria Street were laid by Italian workmen employed by Giulio. Helen’s posts include one of the present day interior of the shop.