J. M. Steel Centre

Being located at Old No. 28, which is now New No. 59, on Moore Street can get a bit confusing for people who are not from around here. Parrys is always a mess of traffic and narrow lanes, but that is just part of the daily routine for us at J. M. Steel Centre. You learn to time the deliveries so you do not get stuck behind a cart or a massive truck that cannot turn the corner. The shop gets quite warm in the summer months, and we spend a lot of time just moving piles of metal from one side of the floor to the other. There is a specific smell to this street, a mix of old buildings and the salt air since we are not too far from the coast. We have been in this spot for a long time, and the neighbors know us by name. We do not have a big fancy sign or a reception area with air conditioning. Usually, you will find us sitting on the stools near the entrance, checking the logs and waiting for the next load to arrive. It is hard work and the days are long, often stretching past when the sun goes down. We just keep the lights on and finish what needs doing before heading home. There is always more to do tomorrow anyway, and the street never really stays quiet for long.