Atwo-storied house is currently being constructed by a local builder for a Furner farming family on the site of Beachport’s original butcher shop.

The town lost one of its oldest buildings several months ago with the demolition of the premises.

Built in 1879, the Foster Street premises served as a butcher shop until closing in 1994, when the owners moved to new premises in Railway Terrace.

At the time of its closure, the Foster Street store was regarded as the second-oldest butcher shop in South Australia.

This shop changed hands several times in its early days until, in 1892, Walter Charles Pretty married Sophia Fox, widow of the former butcher James David Fox.

The business remained in the Pretty family until the retirement of Walter Rex Pretty and subsequent sale of the business in 1964.

The shop was attached to a later dwelling and has been part of a holiday home for around 30 years.

In a nod to its past, the owners painted the words “W. C. Pretty. Butcher. Shipping Supplied”.

Just across the street from the butcher’s shop for much of its history was the Gilders Store.

The land was originally purchased in 1878 by William Fensom, a farmer from Mount Gambier.

This store had just four owners in its long history.

At the time of its closure and demolition around 25 years ago, it housed a hardware store and part-time bank agency.

News of the demolition of the former butcher shop was met with regret by posts on social media.

The quaint building was not on the State Heritage List.