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Over 50 Years and 3 Generations!
Dean Sawyer
President
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Marion Sawyer
Founder
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Jarret Sawyer
Manager
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It's been 50 years since my mother bought her first dream sewing machine. That's what started it all. We were living in Qualicum Beach at the time. Mom bought it from Fletcher's Furniture and Music in Nanaimo. Fletcher's asked her if she would give private machine instruction to their customers, a custom that still exists at Sawyers. A short time later my father, who had a dry cleaning business, got interested in what Mom was doing and decided he could sell a few sewing machines out of his truck on his dry cleaning route. It wasn't long before he realized the potential in this and decided to sell the dry cleaning business and 'jump in with both feet. Some of his Qualicum friends thought he was crazy. "You're going to make a living and raise a family selling sewing machines??” Dad would work long hours traveling between the J Fletcher stores selling from his truck. Mom and Dad took on major lines such as Pfaff, Elna, Bernina, and White. This would provide a wide choice and a price range for everyone, again a policy that still exists.
Mom and Dad would set up at every Fall Fair, Home Show and Community Event, wherever and what ever it took to expose their line of machines.
My brother Steve and I would earn our spending money, at a very young age, cleaning up trade-ins for resale.
In 1966 they made the decision to buy a small sewing machine store on Fort Street in Victoria. After 1 year things were going well so they expanded to a larger location across the street. By this time my brother was working for them while I was living up in Mill Bay finishing my schooling. I would join the company right out of school in 1969.
In 1968 they went out on a limb and bought the current building at 840 Fort. Good move Mom and Dad!! During the 70's we opened stores in Port Alberni, managed by Dennis and Lenor Wright; Willi Burleson operated as an agent in Port McNeil; brother Steve ran North Vancouver; I opened in Duncan and mom and dad ran Victoria. Our expansion was largely due to Mom's exposure with her weekly sewing tips with Ida Clarkson on Check TV's former Noon Show.
In 1977, with a co- signature and a blessing, Mom and Dad retired and it was my turn.
My father passed away in 1992. I know he would be proud to see the business carry on as it is. My mother has remarried to a wonderful man, Walter Hughes. She is well and still watching over me.
Thank you for 50 wonderful years and your continued support.
Please join us in our celebration year.
Dean Sawyer
"The Early Day's!"
Today — 2005
Yesterday, Really!
Dean, 1970's
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Marion
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