ThereB次元官网网址檚 a shop sitting on Government Street with gilded gold lettering and stylish colourful pea coats that hasnB次元官网网址檛 moved since it opened 156 years ago.
W&J WilsonB次元官网网址檚 Clothiers is the oldest operating business in Victoria to stay in its original location, and the oldest family-run clothing store in its original location in all of North America.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little humbling because weB次元官网网址檙e a thing that isnB次元官网网址檛 around much anymore,B次元官网网址� said owner Scott Thompson, whose family has run the shop for three generations after taking over from the Wilson family. B次元官网网址淵ou want to do a good job, you want to live up to the legacy. It makes us listen a little more and change.B次元官网网址�
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In 1862 founder William Wilson immigrated from England with clothing in hopes of making good sales at the gold rush in Barkerville. Wilson put some clothing on consignment when he stopped in Victoria, but did not get paid for the assets and ended up seizing the store and opening a business of his own.
Since then, shop owners have imported clothing and accessories from Europe.
B次元官网网址淲e still strive for quality and fashion, some of the lines weB次元官网网址檝e carried for 60 years,B次元官网网址� Thompson said.
The menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 shop carries everything from smart casual to high-end fashion pieces and even makes customized suits. Since its inception, the brand has also opened two other shops, one in Sidney and one in Oak Bay.
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Thompson said while the products are important, the key to the continued success is the staff.
B次元官网网址淪ome of our staff are 25-year people most are 10 or 15,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e try to run it as our extended family. My seamstress now runs my Oak Bay store and sheB次元官网网址檚 known me since I was yea big.B次元官网网址�
While the business has always been part of ThompsonB次元官网网址檚 life, he didnB次元官网网址檛 always plan on following the family tradition.
B次元官网网址淚 have a biology degree, so no it wasnB次元官网网址檛 what I was planning on doing, but it worked,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 something about working for yourself, itB次元官网网址檚 been part of our family, itB次元官网网址檚 been part of our dinner table since I was a small thing. ItB次元官网网址檚 helped me raise my family the right way.B次元官网网址�
The last secret Thompson shared in running a successful business was to be willing to change.
B次元官网网址淢y grandfather would kill me if he saw me in the shop without a tie, but here I am,B次元官网网址� Thompson laughed. B次元官网网址淚f you donB次元官网网址檛 adjust, you stagnate and go away.B次元官网网址�
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