"This would be the most user-friendly shop you could ever enter, mainly because they know who you are, which makes all the difference. Long will they remain in business."
Angus Thomson sees no reason why the business would not make it to 100 years, possibly still in family reins should his 6-year-old son choose to take them up.
The client base is also intergenerational but the business has not rested on its laurels.
The shop has steadily widened its Heretaunga St West footprint and thanks to $1million of stock including the country's biggest range of Aertex shirts - a Hawke's Bay's favourite - it is a destination store.
While business is good people today dressed up less.
"Everyone used to dress up for the A&P Show and when they came into town they also dressed up, whether it was a jacket and tie or just a jacket . Coming into town was a big thing then as was Friday night shopping.
"Nowadays people will go anywhere in a T-shirt and shorts - it is a lot more casual - but we are seeing a swing towards getting dressed up, especially for weddings and funerals. I think people have been casual enough and want an excuse to get dressed up. It also makes them feel good when they look good."
Thomson's mainstay is the business and rural communities followed by weddings, but the business community was becoming increasingly casual aided by the practice of casual Fridays.
"People aren't wearing ties anymore and fewer are wearing suits, but they still want to look good".
Clothes off the rack fit better than the past, especially the 1980s.
"I can remember when there was pretty much one fit - big and baggy. Now it has come back to slim fittings and we have four to five different fits of shirt."
His father Mick said the secret to success was good value and good service.
"The old man always said, you can't compete with the cheap stuff. You've got to have the quality - the best you can get at a price people can afford."
