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Over 57 Years and 3 Generations!
Dean Sawyer
2nd Generation |
Marion Sawyer
Founder
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Jarret Sawyer
3rd Generation |
The 3rd generation of Sawyers, Jarret Sawyer is the
new owner of Sawyer Sewing Centre. Sawyers was established
by Jarret's grandparents, Marion and David Sawyer in 1952.
They began modestly by selling sewing machines out of the
back of David's Dry Cleaning delivery van while living in
Qualicum Beach. In 1965 they moved to Victoria and established
a small store on Fort St. I joined my parents in business
right out of school in 1969 and have been owner operator since
1976. Jarret began with our company in the early 1990's, initially
working in the repair department and eventually through all
of our various departments. I wanted Jarret to have
complete and thorough knowledge of each and
every aspect of our business just like my father and mother
insisted I did when I joined.
Jarret has proven to more than capable and
I am proud very of him. Now is the time for me to retire and
let him carry on the family tradition. You never know, his
son Kieran, now just turning 5 this month may be the next.
Congratulations Jarret and keep up the good work.
Thank you to all our loyal customers and friends
for all the memories. I hope to still be around for special
occasions.
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.
"The Early Day's!"
Today — 2005
Yesterday, Really!
Dean, 1970's
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Marion
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