This is a story about love.

It began simply enough as a story about how HenryB次元官网网址檚 Tailors, a long-time fixture in Oak Bay, will be closing soon. Sharon Chan, the shopB次元官网网址檚 owner, has been the smiling face behind the store for more than 30 years and in that time, she has become a beloved figure in the neighbourhood. SheB次元官网网址檚 now retiring.

But for the fact of the matter is ChanB次元官网网址檚 tailor shop has been a success since it started when she was 5 years old.

B次元官网网址淚 was raised in Hong Kong and, when I was five years old, I wanted to sew. My motherB次元官网网址檚 pedal sewing machine was so big that I couldnB次元官网网址檛 sit down, I had to stand and pedal and sew. But I loved it. It was just in me,B次元官网网址� Chan said. B次元官网网址淚 remember that I once cut some fabric from a dress my mother had that IB次元官网网址檇 never seen her wear, and I made some doll clothes,B次元官网网址�

When her mother discovered that her best dress had been destroyed for fabric, she wasnB次元官网网址檛 pleased and a B次元官网网址渂ig spankingB次元官网网址� resulted, but Chan didnB次元官网网址檛 let that dampen her love of sewing.

In 1977, Chan (22 at the time) came to Canada with her husband, who took her to W&J Wilson Clothiers where, despite never having worked as a tailor, she was hired after demonstrating how she could master the new (and far more complicated) machines.

She moved to work at HenryB次元官网网址檚 Tailors a few years later until, after about 10 years, the owner of HenryB次元官网网址檚 said he was retiring, and Chan chose to buy the business. She loved the work, and she loved the customers.

The devotion of her customers was made evident when, on two occasions in the past, difficulties with her lease threatened to force her into closing the shop and retiring. Her husband was ill by this time, and she thought it might be best to stop working and stay home with him.

He wouldnB次元官网网址檛 hear of it.  

And her love for the work and for her customers helped make that possible. On both occasions, it was those customers who, upon hearing of her troubles, went to work to find her an alternative location for her tailor shop.

But what had Chan done to earn that devotion to a local tailor?

B次元官网网址淚 remember this one man came in and he had a bad hunchback. His daughter was getting married, and he needed a suit to walk her down the aisle. I worked with him and, when he came and tried on the suit, he actually cried. And he gave me a big hug."

It was the first time, he said, that heB次元官网网址檇 had a suit that fit his frame properly or that anyone had cared enough and taken the time to help accommodate him.

Then there was the time that her old boss at W&J Wilson came to her and asked her to make his own daughterB次元官网网址檚 wedding dress.

B次元官网网址淢y son is a chef, like his father was, and he says that cooking for someone you love is a blessing. I feel the same way about sewing for the customers that have become like a family to me,B次元官网网址� Chan said. B次元官网网址淚 have customers who I knew as children and now they have children of their own. They are like family.B次元官网网址�

That family of customers helped her to survive the devastating passing of her husband in 2017.

B次元官网网址淐ustomers brought me flowers and, knowing that I donB次元官网网址檛 really cook (her husband had always done the cooking) they brought me food. I couldnB次元官网网址檛 have made it without them.B次元官网网址�

Life was hard for a time, and Chan immersed herself in the tailor shop until, on the advice of her doctor, she decided to get out and take part in some social activities.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 when I met my new friend, Mervyn,B次元官网网址� Chan said.

They became partners in a ballroom dance class and Chan found that, despite her self-described B次元官网网址渢hree left feetB次元官网网址�, when she danced with Mervyn, she could glide across the dance floor.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a real gentleman B次元官网网址� really nice. Honestly, if you say go dance with just anyone, I donB次元官网网址檛 think I could do it,B次元官网网址� Chan said.

The couple found that they shared a love of the outdoors and hiking, and her new friend introduced her to kayaking. They also learned to jive and play bridge.

Perhaps most impressive, Mervyn has never balked at ChanB次元官网网址檚 cooking.

B次元官网网址淭hese days I go out and itB次元官网网址檚 all rainbows everywhere. Everything is bright and happy and good,B次元官网网址� Chan said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 time for a new chapter in my life.B次元官网网址�

Asked if she will miss her iconic tailor shop, Chan becomes thoughtful.

B次元官网网址淚t makes me a little bit sad. IB次元官网网址檓 lucky enough that I loved what I did. There was never one day when I didnB次元官网网址檛 want to go to work. And I loved my customers and have watched many of them grow up,B次元官网网址� Chan said. B次元官网网址淏ut now, itB次元官网网址檚 time for a new chapter in my life and IB次元官网网址檓 happy.B次元官网网址�

From the sounds of it, Sharon Chan has continued to find and give love and, although the community of Oak Bay may be the poorer for her departure, weB次元官网网址檙e pretty sure that they all wish her well.