Jacks is somewhat of a Lanark institution. I think The original Jack (whoever he may be) might be Lanark's favourite Jack, edging out Nicholson, Ruby, Kerouac and even Daniels...
It's one of those old fashioned ironmongers - if you remember the sorely missed Crockett's in Glasgow, this is a smaller version, but essentially the same theory. If you can use it in the house, on the house, above the house, under the house or near the house, then Jacks will have it.
The price for this mish mash of usefullness is that some things will be more expensive than, say, Homebase, which doesn't exist in Lanark any more - Jacks was here before them, and is here after them.
Three or four times this past month I've needed something and the phrase "Aye, Jacks will have it" was the first thing said to me. I went in today and sure enough, got everything I needed.
There's something great about just wandering around these kinds of places, and discovering things you never knew you wanted, probably didn't need, but you end up with three of them anyway.
That's Jacks... and nobody in Lanark would change it. read more