Times-Advocate, 1987-05-06, Page 5Many changes through the years
Fourth generation helps Dinney's mark 10011 anniversary
Times -Advocate, May 6, 1987 Page 5
The year 1887 may not have been
the most memorable in Exeter's
history, but you'd never know it judg-
ing from special events being mark-
ed in celebration of that date.
It was the year in which Exeter's
town hall was erected aicialso the one
in which R.N.- Rowe took over the
funeral and furniture business of
William Drew.
The town hall has taken on a refur-
bished look as has the former site of
Mr. Rowe, and it is perhaps not
ironical that some of the people in-
volved in those two projects trace
their roots back to the Rowe family.
They are the Dinney family, who
this week kick off a gigantic celebra-
tion of the looth anniversary of their
family business that now stretches
back over four generations and has
expanded from one house on the cor-
Home and store of R.N. Rowe
ner of Main and Huron to include the
whole block that stretches from
Huron through to Anne.
Milton Thomas Dinney joined his
father-in-law in the furniture business
and the former was followed by his
son, Robert C. (Bob) Dinney, who is
currently involved with his two sons,
Bill and Jon.
During the pre-war years, Bob
assisted his grandfather and father in
the business and had aspirations of
becoming a doctor.
However, when he returned from
duty in World War II in 1945, Bob
altered his plans and took over the
family business and has watched it
grow from an initial 2,000 square foot
building to one that now spans some
20,000.
Dinney Furniture lays claim to be-
ing Exeter's oldest Main St. business
and the only one that has remained
under the same family ownership for
100 years. •
Furniture and funeral businesses
run hand-in-hand in most rural com-
munities in Ontario, primarily
because the furniture and caskets
were made by the same craftsmen.
R.N. Rowe was no exception and
many of the furnishings which grac-
ed area homes at the turn of the cen-
tury were made at his store in Exeter.
Those who made their final trip often
did so in a coffin from the same shop.
The locally -made, hand -rubbed fur-
niture and coffins have now been
replaced by items from the leading
manufacturers across Canada, and
while Bob quickly acknowledges the
superb craftmanship that his grand-
father exhibited, he notes that today's
upholstered furniture is muoh more
comfortable.
Those who join the Dinney family
in their centennial celebration will
have a chance to put that opinion to
the test as Ada Dinney hopes to have
some historical artifacts on display
that will include one piece df furniture
on which the seat is made from horse
hair.
Bob estimates that in 1945 his total
stock value was $3,000 and the retail
value on display today is estimated at
half a million dollars.
Another noticeable change has
taken place in the funeral business.
When he joined the firm, most
funerals were held in the home parlor
of the deceased, while the vast ma-
jority now are conducted in the Din-
ney Funeral Home housed in the
former Rowe residence.
While the current facade, interior
and stock at Dinney Furniture has
changed drastically over the past 100
years, so too have some aspects of the
business. Inventory and accounting
matters are now handled by a com-
puter although the firm still main-
tains its account at the local Bank of
Montreal, as it has for the past 100
years, making it the oldest account
there.
The Dinney trio who manage the
current store note many changes in
customers over the years.
"It used to be when you had a
customer, you had a family," Bob
notes. However, that patriotism does
not exist to the same extent today and
thea owners continually compete for
business through stock selection and
modern promotional techniques.
Bill adds that customers now shop
more for quality than previously and
consider furniture and floor coverings
more in terms of an investment and
a personal signature that reflects
their lifestyle.
"Furniture used to be trend setting.
Everyone bought colonial or tradi-
tional or whatever trend was on the
market," Jon acknowledges. "Today,
the shopper is looking for comfort,
quality and design. Every piece of
furniture is unique and must co-
ordinate with the atmosphere of the
home."
The only constant is that area shop-
pers can still walk under the same
roof as their ancestors of 100 years
ago when they visitDinney's for their
furniture needs.
A 1912 hearse had two horsepower
First motorized_ hearse here in 1920
Huron to Anne block has changed
Bob Dinney back in office after war
Big black beauty arrived in 1928
MAY lOth, 1987
Bob Dinney flanked by father, grandfather
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