End of a Menswear Era in Taihape by Colin Rowatt.
Published in the Wanganui Chronicle, Tuesday Jun 6, 2006
The end of an era in Taihape retailing is nigh, and when the doors to McSweeney's Menswear do close for good in the not-too-distant future, it will also mark the end of traditional menswear retailing in the Rangitikei.
After more than 58 years in the business, Maurice McSweeney has given himself a red card and will head for the sideline to catch up with his old mate Gerry Atrick.
Retirement was something Mr McSweeney nearly got into a couple of years ago but potential deals to sell the business fell through. This time though, the land and building have been sold and an all-new local venture will be established. It's an outcome Mr McSweeny has no regrets about."I'm pleased to be going. I've had a good innings." he said. "Now I'll have time to work around home, stroll about and spend time with my family and grandchildren."
McSweeney's Menswear has been an integral part of the Taihape retail scene for nearly 80 years. But a McSweeney has been involved in that business for even longer.
Maurice's father, Frank, was in the rag trade before World War 1 as an employee at Stan Jago's menswear shop in Taihape. Originally that shop was where KFC now stands but moved on to the site of the present McSweeney's store in 1911.
When Frank McSweeney was wounded at Paschendahl he returned to Taihape after the war, and resumed his employment with Stan Jago. Then, in 1927, he took over the business, in partnership with one Johnny Brandt, and the McSweeney name went above the door.
In 1937 Frank took over the whole business and it has been that way ever since. Maurice's first involvement in his father's business was making cups of tea for the men who used to crowd into the shop to "talk horses and rugby" and to chop the wood for the open fire that heated the place in the winter. He joined the family firm in December, 1945, at the age of 16. And, except for "the odd holiday" and a spell of compulsory military training, has been there ever since.
For all but the past 12 years Maurice McSweeney was in business with his older brother, Brian. After his death Maurice's wife Eileen joined him in the shop.
He believes the success of the business over such long a period was because "We always had the right clothing for the locals" and always took "a personal approach".
The shop has always enjoyed good support from the travelling public too.
Now 74 years old, Maurice McSweeny believes it's time to move on although he still enjoys being in the business that has occupied his life, man and boy.
At this stage the shelves, racks and display stands are almost bare: The half price "closing down sale" has far exceeded expectations.
The days are dwindling down: The end of a unique era in Taihape retailing is nigh.
Published in the Wanganui Chronicle, Tuesday Jun 6, 2006
The end of an era in Taihape retailing is nigh, and when the doors to McSweeney's Menswear do close for good in the not-too-distant future, it will also mark the end of traditional menswear retailing in the Rangitikei.
After more than 58 years in the business, Maurice McSweeney has given himself a red card and will head for the sideline to catch up with his old mate Gerry Atrick.
Retirement was something Mr McSweeney nearly got into a couple of years ago but potential deals to sell the business fell through. This time though, the land and building have been sold and an all-new local venture will be established. It's an outcome Mr McSweeny has no regrets about."I'm pleased to be going. I've had a good innings." he said. "Now I'll have time to work around home, stroll about and spend time with my family and grandchildren."
McSweeney's Menswear has been an integral part of the Taihape retail scene for nearly 80 years. But a McSweeney has been involved in that business for even longer.
Maurice's father, Frank, was in the rag trade before World War 1 as an employee at Stan Jago's menswear shop in Taihape. Originally that shop was where KFC now stands but moved on to the site of the present McSweeney's store in 1911.
When Frank McSweeney was wounded at Paschendahl he returned to Taihape after the war, and resumed his employment with Stan Jago. Then, in 1927, he took over the business, in partnership with one Johnny Brandt, and the McSweeney name went above the door.
In 1937 Frank took over the whole business and it has been that way ever since. Maurice's first involvement in his father's business was making cups of tea for the men who used to crowd into the shop to "talk horses and rugby" and to chop the wood for the open fire that heated the place in the winter. He joined the family firm in December, 1945, at the age of 16. And, except for "the odd holiday" and a spell of compulsory military training, has been there ever since.
For all but the past 12 years Maurice McSweeney was in business with his older brother, Brian. After his death Maurice's wife Eileen joined him in the shop.
He believes the success of the business over such long a period was because "We always had the right clothing for the locals" and always took "a personal approach".
The shop has always enjoyed good support from the travelling public too.
Now 74 years old, Maurice McSweeny believes it's time to move on although he still enjoys being in the business that has occupied his life, man and boy.
At this stage the shelves, racks and display stands are almost bare: The half price "closing down sale" has far exceeded expectations.
The days are dwindling down: The end of a unique era in Taihape retailing is nigh.
End of a Menswear Era in Taihape by Colin Rowatt.
Published in the Wanganui Chronicle, Tuesday Jun 6, 2006
The end of an era in Taihape retailing is nigh, and when the doors to McSweeney's Menswear do close for good in the not-too-distant future, it will also mark the end of traditional menswear retailing in the Rangitikei.
After more than 58 years in the business, Maurice McSweeney has given himself a red card and will head for the sideline to catch up with his old mate Gerry Atrick.
Retirement was something Mr McSweeney nearly got into a couple of years ago but potential deals to sell the business fell through. This time though, the land and building have been sold and an all-new local venture will be established. It's an outcome Mr McSweeny has no regrets about."I'm pleased to be going. I've had a good innings." he said. "Now I'll have time to work around home, stroll about and spend time with my family and grandchildren."
McSweeney's Menswear has been an integral part of the Taihape retail scene for nearly 80 years. But a McSweeney has been involved in that business for even longer.
Maurice's father, Frank, was in the rag trade before World War 1 as an employee at Stan Jago's menswear shop in Taihape. Originally that shop was where KFC now stands but moved on to the site of the present McSweeney's store in 1911.
When Frank McSweeney was wounded at Paschendahl he returned to Taihape after the war, and resumed his employment with Stan Jago. Then, in 1927, he took over the business, in partnership with one Johnny Brandt, and the McSweeney name went above the door.
In 1937 Frank took over the whole business and it has been that way ever since. Maurice's first involvement in his father's business was making cups of tea for the men who used to crowd into the shop to "talk horses and rugby" and to chop the wood for the open fire that heated the place in the winter. He joined the family firm in December, 1945, at the age of 16. And, except for "the odd holiday" and a spell of compulsory military training, has been there ever since.
For all but the past 12 years Maurice McSweeney was in business with his older brother, Brian. After his death Maurice's wife Eileen joined him in the shop.
He believes the success of the business over such long a period was because "We always had the right clothing for the locals" and always took "a personal approach".
The shop has always enjoyed good support from the travelling public too.
Now 74 years old, Maurice McSweeny believes it's time to move on although he still enjoys being in the business that has occupied his life, man and boy.
At this stage the shelves, racks and display stands are almost bare: The half price "closing down sale" has far exceeded expectations.
The days are dwindling down: The end of a unique era in Taihape retailing is nigh.
Published in the Wanganui Chronicle, Tuesday Jun 6, 2006
The end of an era in Taihape retailing is nigh, and when the doors to McSweeney's Menswear do close for good in the not-too-distant future, it will also mark the end of traditional menswear retailing in the Rangitikei.
After more than 58 years in the business, Maurice McSweeney has given himself a red card and will head for the sideline to catch up with his old mate Gerry Atrick.
Retirement was something Mr McSweeney nearly got into a couple of years ago but potential deals to sell the business fell through. This time though, the land and building have been sold and an all-new local venture will be established. It's an outcome Mr McSweeny has no regrets about."I'm pleased to be going. I've had a good innings." he said. "Now I'll have time to work around home, stroll about and spend time with my family and grandchildren."
McSweeney's Menswear has been an integral part of the Taihape retail scene for nearly 80 years. But a McSweeney has been involved in that business for even longer.
Maurice's father, Frank, was in the rag trade before World War 1 as an employee at Stan Jago's menswear shop in Taihape. Originally that shop was where KFC now stands but moved on to the site of the present McSweeney's store in 1911.
When Frank McSweeney was wounded at Paschendahl he returned to Taihape after the war, and resumed his employment with Stan Jago. Then, in 1927, he took over the business, in partnership with one Johnny Brandt, and the McSweeney name went above the door.
In 1937 Frank took over the whole business and it has been that way ever since. Maurice's first involvement in his father's business was making cups of tea for the men who used to crowd into the shop to "talk horses and rugby" and to chop the wood for the open fire that heated the place in the winter. He joined the family firm in December, 1945, at the age of 16. And, except for "the odd holiday" and a spell of compulsory military training, has been there ever since.
For all but the past 12 years Maurice McSweeney was in business with his older brother, Brian. After his death Maurice's wife Eileen joined him in the shop.
He believes the success of the business over such long a period was because "We always had the right clothing for the locals" and always took "a personal approach".
The shop has always enjoyed good support from the travelling public too.
Now 74 years old, Maurice McSweeny believes it's time to move on although he still enjoys being in the business that has occupied his life, man and boy.
At this stage the shelves, racks and display stands are almost bare: The half price "closing down sale" has far exceeded expectations.
The days are dwindling down: The end of a unique era in Taihape retailing is nigh.
Inscription
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ELLEN GERTRUDE
McSWEENEY
LOVED
WIFE OF FRANCIS,
DIED 21ST JUNE 1978
AGED 81YEARS
LOVED MOTHER OF
BRIAN, MAURICE, MARY AND EILEEN
FRANCIS McSWEENEY
LOVED HUSBAND OF
ELLEN GERTRUDE,
DIED 23RD MAY 1981
AGED 88 YEARS
LOVED FATHER OF
BRIAN, MAURICE, MARY AND EILEEN
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
