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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-04-12, Page 1616 Signal Star • Wednesday, April 12, 2017 First opened as a general store in 1929 by George Schaefer, Schaefer's has since moved location, endured the damages from nearby fires and a tornado, and is now under ownership of the fourth generation of the Schaefer family. Louise Schaefer, the grand daughter of George, grew up in the store and has been a full time employee since 1973. Schaefer's offered a storewide sale to celebrate Louise's retirement. Fourth generation to own Schaefer's Ladies Wear Louise Schaefer retires and daughter takes over ownership Kathleen Smith Goderich Signal Star Schaefer's Ladies Wear has been a staple in the Goderich economic com- munity, successfully oper- ating as first a general store in 1929 and continuously changing with the times, to what it is presently know as. "When my grandfather started it, it was more of a general store, but back then, that was very normal. There would have been a bit of food product, a bit of cloth- ing, household items, and it slowly kept evolving and keeping up with the times," said Louise. Louise who practically grew up in the store, started working at Schaefer's full time in 1973, and eventu- ally became partners with her father in a joint -ownership. Louise expanded on the joint -ownership with her father, "I don't think I had a title. Then I became partners with my dad, and when he retired I took over fully and have been the sole owner since 1996." It has not only remained successful since 1929, con- tributing to the economy and serving the community with quality products, but it is now owned by the fourth generation of the Schaefer family. "My grandfather would be so proud to know that a fourth generation, espe- cially a female, is the owner of maintaining this suc- cessful business," said Louise. Last week Louise Schaefer officially retired and handed ownership over to her daughter Anne, who joined the staff in 1998 and has been the store Manager since 2002. Although Louise has retired and has now passed on the ownership to her daughter, Louise plans to continue to work a few hours in the week at Schaefer's. In honour of Louise's retire- ment, last week Schaefer's offered a four-day sale, of 20 - 50 percent off merchandise. After growing up in the business, helping her dad with odd jobs around the store as a young child, working as a full time employee to then become Store Manager and eventu- ally sole owner, Louise has very fond memories of the store and the legacy her family has left with Schaefer's Ladies Wear. Having her father and uncle to shadow and learn the intricacies of the busi- ness from, Louise explained how lucky she was to learn from these two mentors, in order to •+ 'taxes Property Identification & Name Tags FOR 175 LABELS! Many Styles To Choose From 120 Huckins Street, Goderich PHONE: 524-2614 FAX: 524-9175 Monday -Thursday 8 am - 5 pm & Friday 8 am - 4 pm successfully maintain a family business. According to Louise, Schaefer's can attest their success and impact on the community to consistency, striving to be the best in cus- tomer service, good value products and following trends. "I had two great teachers. They taught me the morals of business, and about how to really serve the community - to find out what they need, what they want to buy, and be there for them," said Louise. Photos by Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signal Star Louise Schaefer (right) passes ownership of the store to her daughter Anne.