We are always told that the brand is where we make our mark. So I thought today I would give a little background on how Stan Portleys came upon getting its name and a little history about my wife Bobbie’s family.
As I stated in a previous blog my sister-in-law Ann who is partners with us at our Port Stanley store emigrated from Scotland just prior to the second World War II. Soon after they arrived here my brother-in-law John was born. Soon after that John MacBean, the father signed up to fight for the war and was transferred over seas for the duration of the war. This left Peggy (her real name is Margaret), to deal with two young children and she worked and provided for them. Quite often as many did in that day, Peggy would take Ann and John down to Port Stanley for the day on the train from London for a break from the heat in the city during the summer. Now Ann being young did not always inunciate words well and for some reason she could not say Port Stanley. However, when she wanted her mom to take her to Port Stanley she would say, “Mom, can we go to Stan Portley’s” thus the name itself came about. After the war and John came back from the war, sister Margaret was born in 1946 and exactly 8 years to the day, my wife Bobbie was born in 1954. We are not sure exactly sure how Margaret took to receiving as a present, a new baby sister on her 8th birthday, but today they are best of friends as well as sisters.
Today, the all “sisters” are very much the going concern. Ann, who is an interior decorator, works in the store, Margaret, who polishes silver to a glimmer that many who have tried to but can never achieve, also spends time at the store. We have coined her with the title of the “maker of provenene”. She is so named because when an old object comes into the store with no history Margaret’s vivid imagination will come in to play and she will describe to you how that piece of silver or plate had a storied history and she will then recite that history to you. Bobbie is the Master Painter extraordinare, the hunter, gatherer and rescuer of those unique items that Stan Portleys is know for. This with some technical assistance from me. (I say technical because I am the one who will repair things to get them to the stage where structurally they are saleable again if repair is required). Stan Portleys vision is to present the past for a greener future.
Now Stan Portleys, and many of the proprietors in Port Stanley have created what we hope is a very friendly place. With our personna of Stan Portley we strove to create a character that would be an example of that vision of friendliness and with a hint of sophistication, yet someone who was fun. We decided that first off that Stan would have to be ‘portly” in stature. That a top hat would show the sophistication along with his lambchop sideburns. His checkered vest is just fun. His smile, the friendliness you can expect when you enter the doors of our emporium. The final creation was done by my sister Wendy Reid (Robinson) who is an establish artist and graphic artist in her own right. Originally we were Stan Portley’s – Antiques & Uniques. With the change in product mix, we see a change in focus to the painted furniture we have become famous for, the vGCP collection paint and the many unique Canadian and North American giftware items. For that reason we are now Stan Portleys – Timeless & Unique. We still have the antiques, and vintage finds and still welcome you to view these vintage treasures – renewed in “cottage style”. Our previously enjoyed vintage, painted and antique furniture will complement any décor from Urbane chic to Paris apartment. Come and see what we have and, you will find what you’ve been looking for. It‘s worth the drive to Port Stanley.
