'It gained the place quite a reputation.' What was the reputation this place gained? How did it gain this reputation?

The beach became well-known for its smell..... J's friend had buried the stinky cheese.

"My friend got rid of them, at last, by taking them down to a sea-side town, and burying them on the beach. It gained the place quite a reputation. Visitors said they had never noticed before how strong the air was, and weak-chested and con- sumptive people used to throng there for years afterwards."