The Salmons and Glucksteins came together through the marriage of Lena Gluckstein and Barnett Salmon. Intermarriage was rife. Of Lena and Barnett Salmon’s 15 children, 9 survived, of which 7 married their first cousin.
J Lyons was founded in the 1890s and went on to become the largest catering company in the world.
The Lyons tearooms were staffed by female waitresses known as ‘Nippies’. The name became iconic.
The Trocadero was opened in 1896, it was the centre of London culture for more than half a century.
In the 1950s J Lyons was looking to move into the fast food sector, they teamed up with a Mr Gold from USA and launched the chain of Wimpy bars.
The first Lyons tearoom was opened in 1894 at 213 Piccadilly London. By 1920s, there were over 250 tearooms. The tearooms were staffed by female waitresses who famously became known as Nippies.
Along with the tearooms, Lyons corner houses became iconic in British culture from 1920s-1950s.
Salmon & Gluckstein was founded in 1873 by Monte Gluckstein and his brother-in-law Barnett Salmon. Starting as a network of tobacconists, the company moved into manufacturing their own tobacco products. By end of the century they claimed to be the largest tobacco retailer in Europe. S&G spent enormous sums on advertising, including the promotion of the idea of ‘healthy’ smoking [see advert]
S&G advert 19th century
GEOFFREY SALMON Chairman J Lyons 1968-1972, son of Harry Salmon
GLUCK born Hannah Gluckstein, was a renowned and accomplished painter. Daughter of Joseph and Francesca Gluckstein.
MIMI the family’s storyteller. Monte Gluckstein’s daughter and mother to Neil Salmon.
MAJOR MONTE started in the Troc at 14. Later he introduced cabaret and live music to the family restaurants and set up Lyons’ first pension trust.
SAM SALMON started in the kitchens of the Trocadero, became chairman of J Lyons. Oversaw the end of the family business. Son of Isidore Salmon. Husband to Wendy.
HARRY SALMON chairman of J Lyons (1941-1950) after his brother Isidore Salmon, head of tea division.
NEIL SALMON chairman of J Lyons when it was sold off, son of Mimi
ISIDORE SALMON born in 1876, son of Barnett and Lena Salmon, part of the early success of J Lyons, later he was its managing director. During the 1930s and 1940s was a MP at the centre of fighting Britain’s anti-fascism. Brother to Alfred Salmon.
BARNETT SALMON Co-founder of Salmon & Gluckstein tobacco company, married to Lena Salmon, father to Alfred, Isidore, Maurice, Harry and Joseph Salmon
LENA SALMON The overlooked co-founder of J Lyons, wife to Barnett Salmon and mother to fifteen children of which nine survived, including Isidore Salmon.
ALFRED GLUCKSTEIN one of the founders of J Lyons, son of Barnett Salmon and Lena Salmon, brother to Isidore Salmon
LEHMAN GLUCKSTEIN The Hebrew scholar and teacher Lehmann Glückstein was the patriarch of the family, born in 1780s he and his family had to flee Prussia which was beset by anti-Jewish pogroms. He arrived in England in 1840s. Lehmann was married to Helena Horn.
IZZY GLUCKSTEIN One of the founders of Salmon & Gluckstein tobacconists, founder member of the Fund, brother to Monte Gluckstein
JULIA SALMON Twin sister to Lena Salmon
MONTE GLUCKSTEIN was the driving force behind the tobacco company Salmon & Gluckstein and later the catering company J Lyons. Father of Mimi.
JOSEPH GLUCKSTEIN brother to Monte Gluckstein, father to Gluck and Louis Gluckstein. Married Francesca Gluckstein.
