1872 The Daily Western Times is advertised as being available at Mr Lamason's, although where Mr Lamason's was at this time is uncertain.
Western Times 10 May 1872 p7 col2
In the 1891 census Osmond Lamason, newsagent, is living with his two sisters in North Street. A 'virtual walk' through the census shows that he is very near the bullring on the eastern side of the street. Maria Langler, nee Lamason, later runs the Paper Shop - it seems a reasonable assumption that Osmond was at No. 6.
http://www.freecen.org.uk
Agnes Ann Lamason, one of Osmond's sisters, is listed as a newsagent in North Street in Kelly's Directory 1902
Kelly's Directory of Devon and Cornwall, 1902, part 1: Devon, p32
In the 1911 census Agnes A Lamason is a newsagent and stationer in North Street, assisted by her niece Maria.
http://ancestry.co.uk
Newsagent, M Langler, 6 North St
Businesses advertising in the Guide to Ashburton - Ashburton Urban District Council, undated, but between1930 and 1935
Mrs Maria Langler, Newsagent, North Street
Kelly's Directory of Devonshire 1935, p35
The 1920s and 30s
On Saturday evenings Lamasons the paper shop was always crowded, people came to pay their paper bill and Maria and her husband Stanley Langler* presided behind the counter talking and enjoying the social atmosphere. They sold the current magazines of the day, Weldon’s Lady’s Fashions being a great favourite, as many people owned a sewing machine: often infants and girls clothes were made at home, My mother was interested in the pattern books of Maria (who was French). She would say “Take it home and see if you want it, if not bring it back!” They had a very small lending library: a book could be borrowed for a week for tuppence. It was such a casual system that little money could have been made. Authors included Zane Grey (cowboy stories) and Ethel M Dell. Sweets and chocolates could be bought there, a speciality being Granny Lamason’s toffees. These were two inch lengths of a very dark bar containing a couple of nuts. It was twisted in the middle. The Lamasons had come to the town from France in Victorian times and the old woman had a basket shop where the museum is now (1 West St.)
Many thanks to Hazel Bray for the above account. See also Hazel's account of Jack Lamason, under Remarkable and Interesting people.
*Maria Lamason married Stanley G Langler June Quarter 1920 http://www.freebmd.org.uk/