In 1860 George Reynolds lived at 26 Crowtree Road in Sunderland, now H&M in the Bridges shopping mall. George came from a Sunderland family of master mariners and wooden sailing ship owners. With the expansion of the industrial revolution and the increased use of railways the need to ship wood and coal to the south declined.
To supplement their income George and his wife, Mary Jane, opened a pawn shop in the stable at the back of their house. The business quickly moved from the stable to the front living room. George and Mary moved upstairs to live.
As shipbuilding and mining continued to flourish the requirement for government surplus increased. The Pawn brokers soon developed into an Army Stores selling clothing and tools from the Police, Fire Brigade, Bus Companies and the Forces.
It is said that Baden Powell and Colonel Vaux, friends from their time in the Army, considered taking a group of boys to a camp. Needing some suitable clothing for the boys they visited the shop. After a successful camp Baden Powell set up the Boys Scout Movement. Thomas and George Reynolds, grandsons of George, became some of the first Scout Leaders in Sunderland.
The Army Stores continued in Crowtree Road for another three generations, George, Thomas and then his son Thomas, until 1959 and the compulsory purchase of the properties in Crowtree Road. The business moved to Derwent Street, its current location, which at the time was also a street of residential homes. Also at this time the current owner Peter took over the business from his father. The forthcoming years saw the decline in heavy industry and as with many Army Stores the business developed to sell outdoor and camping products. Today the store is managed by the next generation and whilst it still maintains its heritage selling army surplus products it is also developing the outdoor and mountain sports business.