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BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
16
THE ART OF STAINLESS STEEL
ICONIC DESIGN • BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE • INDISPUTABLY LE CREUSET
Cookware | Bakeware | Tableware | Accessories
JOHN L.
BRADSHAW
HAROLD
BRADSHAW
DAVID
BRDSHAW
GORDON
WREFORD
BILL & SHARON
WREFORD
JEREMY & CARRIE
WREFORD
1895-PRESENT
Reinvention key to Bradshaws’ success
According to Jeremy and Carrie Wreford, their
friends thought they were crazy when they decided
to walk away from their successful Toronto-based
careers to take over Jeremy’s family business:
owning and operating Bradshaws in Stratford.
Jeremy had his own production design business,
producing commercials and music videos for the
likes of Leonard Cohen, The Tragically Hip, and David Bowie. Carrie had been a wardrobe stylist in the
film industry before moving onto a graphic design
job with Roots Canada.
When Jeremy’s parents began considering retirement and the sale of the now 120-year-old
business in 2006, the idea of taking over started as
a bit of a lark for the young couple.
“But the more we discussed it, the more we realized it was something we wanted to do,” explains
Carrie.
Their reasoning was threefold: first, they were
looking for a place to settle down and raise a family,
and saw Stratford as an ideal community for such
an undertaking.
Second, it was a matter of legacy; of ensuring a
family-owned business with more than a century of
history remained a family business.
And third, they knew that they had the skill sets
needed to modernize Bradshaws and ensure it remained relevant and innovative for years to come.
Jeremy brought his impeccable taste and style to
his new role as the business’ primary buyer, as well
as the operational knowledge of the company he
had learned by osmosis from his parents. Carrie
brought her tech and design skills, completing all
ad and graphic design work herself in-house and
updating Bradshaw’s online presence, ushering the
Stratford business into the digital world.
“Retail is in a constant state of reinvention,” says
Jeremy of their efforts to keep the business feasible
in the current economy.
“And succession is not always successful,” adds
Carrie. “We’re very lucky to have come in when we
did. There’s been a lot of changes over the last few
years.”
Jeremy and Carrie took over Bradshaws from Jer-
emy’s parents, Bill and Sharon Wreford. Bill started current location.
out working on the road for David Bradshaw, setting up sample show rooms and buying items for Treasures that last a lifetime
the company’s wholesale chain. David Bradshaw,
meanwhile, was carrying on the business after his
Longtime Bradshaws customer Lillian Parker
father Harold, who had taken it over from his father, turns 95 in May. She has fond memories of freJ.L. Bradshaw, the company’s founder.
quenting the business over the years.
Bill proved quite adept at his work on the road,
“Whenever I needed a gift, for a wedding or anyand after four years he sold his car in order to buy thing, I could always depend on Bradshaws,” she
the retail portion of the business from David. Re- says. “They always had what we wanted; and if not,
esss
they
th
ey d aalways
lway
lw
ays ma
ay
alizing his wholesale business
they’d
make sure they got it.”
would take a substantial hhitit
She has especially
ng
without Bill out there buying
fond memories of David
as
and selling, an agreement was
Bradshaw, whom she
ke
d
reached where Bill would take
described
as being very
le
o
over the retail portion while
outspoken,
and kind to
eh boys.
still travelling for the wholeher
e,
sale business. Meanwhile,
“They wouldn’t touch
a
Bill’s father, Gordon, wouldd
anything
in the store,”
ssh
h laughs. “They were
stay in Stratford and helpp
she
b
br
mind the store, making for a
brought
up with crystal and
ch
legacy of three generationss
china. They knew how to
hhandle and use it.”
ha
from two different families
comprising
Bradshaws’
Lillian was such a frequ
u
history.
quent
customer that the
bbusiness
bu
s
Today, the two busiwould call her if
the
th
e had a sale or new items
nesses operate separately
they
co
com
om in.
from one another. The recome
“I can remember one day
tail business, owned by
I w
the Wrefords, is run out
was in Bradshaws, and
th
hey
ey had this big beautiful
of 129 Ontario Street.
they
lamp
la
mpp that had been brought
m
The wholesale portion,
in ffrom
roo England,” she recalls.
JL Bradshaw Limited, is
Jeremy & Ca
rrie Wreford
ow
we
“II ffell
e l in love with it, and said
el
owned by Todd and Carole R
Rowe
(David Bradshaw’s daughter) out of 245 Downie I wanted it.
They asked, ‘Can we put it on
Street.
display so at least the public can see it?’
Bill Wreford and his wife Sharon added to the
“I said fine, as long as it’s got a big sold tag on
business over the years, with Sharon being the it!”
drive behind the opening of Kitchen Detail, an adShe has trouble pegging approximately when
ditional storefront founded by the couple focussing this was, estimating it was at least 40 years ago.
exclusively on kitchenware.
When asked if she still has the lamp, she exclaims
Eventually, Bradshaws, Kitchen Detail, and a “Of course!”
third store, Crabtree and Evelyn, were consolidated
Sure enough, the lamp proudly sits on display in
into Bradshaws Kitchen Detail at the storefront’s the front window of her home.
The changing face of retail
There’s been a great deal of change for Bradshaws in subsequent years. Besides the prevalence
of e-commerce, the items stocked by the retail outlet have been refocussed from collectables, such as
Royal Doulton, to more pragmatic and usable items
like kitchenware and goods used for food prep and
entertaining.
“We try to keep an open mind,” says Jeremy.
“Our industry changes on a daily basis. We’re constantly re-evaluating what we do.”
It’s not just the items on the shelves that’s different, either. Carrie explains that the pace has
changed, with customers who may have once
waited 6 months for a particular item now counting
service by the minute. The buyers market, too, has
been altered; gone are the days when manufacturers would fly a retailer out to see their Italian factories in person.
Customers are also more knowledgeable about
products, and conduct their own research on a
given item online. Many of them want to see what’s
on the store’s shelves via the company’s website
before they walk in the front door.
Bradshaws fully accommodates these savvy
shoppers by making their online experience as interactive as possible, with an online bridal registry,
blog, and an active presence on social media.
Carrie adds that they’re not aiming to take the
business’ 120th anniversary for granted. Bradshaws has organized a big birthday bash for Sunday, May 3. The event will feature loot bags, demonstrations, free food, a photo booth, and more, all
between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“It’s a little over the top,” admits Carrie. “But
this is a momentous occasion! There are not a lot
of businesses in Canada anymore that are family
owned and operated.”
“With businesses like ours, the owners are retiring and there’s no one to succeed them,” adds
Jeremy. “Plus, the competition from big box stores
is just too great.
“You have to love it,” he smiles.
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
History of
Bradshaws
The Stratford Gazette- Thursday, April 30, 2015
17
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
18
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS
Bringing superior design, quality and
performance to your kitchen since 1731.
www.zwilling.ca/staub
Proud to be featuring our world-class products at
Bradshaws for over 30 years. Cheers to many more
years of collaboration and success!
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
Congratulates Bradshaws on
120
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years
of business
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35 years in the “crockery trade”
our Stratford customers and visitors from the United States fueled our growth for the first couple
of decades but
slowly the demand increased
for things from
other parts of
the world such as
Europe, Japan or
China. And each
“new” country that
appeared in our
store caused howls
of outrage. How
dare we offer things
from some place
like Japan. How
dare we offer thingss
from East Germany,
y,
a communist country.
y
y.
And years later we
experienced a minor
or
boycott from some
me
of our US customers
errs
because we contintiinn
ued to offer wonderful
rful
rf
ul
things from France after
ftterr
France refused to gget
et
involved in an American
and mid east war. Re- member “freedom fries.’
So far I’ve hardly mentioned the principal player
in almost everything we did .... my wife Sharon.
As our children became of school age, she was
able to devote more and
more time to the businesss and was largely
ness
responsible
for our inreesppo
volvement
in “things
vvooolv
le
lv
kitchen,”
which is now
k tc
ki
th
the
thhe most important
single
s ngg part of Bradsi
shaws.
shhaw We travelled
all
a l over Europe toal
gether
and seldom
geet
was
w a larger decision
wa
made
without the
m
ma
involvement
of both
innv
of
o us. We feel that
our
o retirement has
been
so positive
b
and
a so wonderful
because
we were
b
always together
and I was not
some “strange”
man who suddenly showed
up for a second
cup of coffee
in the morning
after
missing for 40 years.
aaffteer mi
m
While both our children, Jeremy and Melissa,
worked summers in Bradshaws, we almost never
discussed the possibility of them becoming involved
in the business. But one day in 2005, Jeremy &
Carrie approached us to discuss the possibility of
buying it. They both had very exciting and somewhat lucrative careers in Toronto and the thought
of them returning to Stratford was not something
we had expected. But the deal was done and in
March 2006 it was their business. Since then they
have done an amazing job and we admire them
both for their business talent and their remarkable
flair. We like to think we started to bring the business into the 21st century, but there is no doubt
they finished the job. We also are delighted by their
sense of community involvement, but most importantly the two remarkable grandchildren they have
added to our total of five.
When we retired the kids held a retirement party
for us filled with friends, relatives and business
associates. I can remember telling someone that
while you always wish you had “made a few more
bucks” we couldn’t imagine anything we would
rather have done.
While none of us know what the future holds, we
feel Bradshaws will be alive and well as it heads
toward its 150th.
- Grandpa Bill
Bill Wreford, Bradshaw Owner
1975-2006
Photo: A young Melissa & Jeremy Wreford with,
back row from left, Keith Mowling, president of
Wedgewood Canada, Sharon & Bill Wreford, and
sitting, Sir Arthur Bryan, chariman of Wedgwood
Worldwide.
Our relationship with Bradshaws
dates back to 1920 and over the
years the market, products, brands,
and how we do business, have
all changed (some radically). But
the warmth, professionalism and
dynamic outlook of the leadership
at Bradshaws has remained
constant, resulting in a consistently
exceptional shopping experience.
Bradshaws is a jewel in
Stratford and amongst the
very best in Canada. Kudos to
Bradshaws from all of us at
Portmeirion Canada group.
Portmeirion Canada
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
“I don’t think we’re going to make it! We’re just a
couple of years from our 100th birthday and I don’t
think we can last.”
That was our state of mind about twenty years
ago. The early to mid 90’s were among the most
turbulent years in Canadian retail history and Bradshaws was no exception.
However, obviously, we did survive and now over
twenty years later, the business has never been
stronger.
We took over the then 80-year-old business in
January 1975. Talk about a leveraged buyout. The
little capital we had was created by selling our nice,
new 1974 car to Sharon’s dad. We took over on
January 15 and I can remember Sid Greenberg (a
long-time Stratford retailer) coming over that day
to wish us well. He had started his business much
earlier, on January 15, 1929. I hardly need tell anyone what challenges awaited this family that particular year. I felt instantly more confident.
The next day, our second in business, our safe
malfunctioned and wouldn’t open. About half of
our aforementioned capital was in there. We could
hardly afford change for the till. Bill Ellison, the
owner of a very long-term repair and locksmithing
business, came to try and help us. He ended up
drilling about three holes through the thick steel
and “popped” the safe open .... just like the movies.
We could, as was often suggested, write a book
about the next 30 years. We generally prospered
and watched more change in fashion and lifestyle
than probably happened in the previous 80 years.
The incredible demand for things “English” by both
The Stratford Gazette- Thursday, April 30, 2015
19
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
20
Message from th
SERVING PERTH COUNTY SINCE 1849
Wishing
Bradshaws
many more
years
of success!
On behalf of Stratford City Council and the residents of
Stratford, I would like to extend our congratulations to Carrie
and Jeremy Wreford and the entire staff on the occasion of
the 120th Anniversary of Bradshaws.
Being a successful business for 120 years is a remarkable
accomplishment. Throughout the years, Bradshaws has
become a premier destination for visitors to Stratford and is
a favourite store of many residents. Thank you for your
commitment and dedication to your employees, your
customers and to our community.
56 Albert St., Stratford I 519-271-6770 I www.stratfordlawyers.com
Smith Electric
Proud supplier of
Throug
continu
emulat
We wis
Sincere
Dan M
Congratulations on
providing 120 years of
exemplary service!
We are honoured to play a
part in this exciting celebration.
Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling
CALL US NOW!
(519) 393-6778
10 Downie St., Stratford • 519-271-8002
185 Huron Rd
Sebringville, ON N0K 1X0
To your continued success
• Gas Furnaces • Air Conditioning • Refrigeration • Appliance Repair
Call Tom Clifford or Keith Thomson
Congratulations Bradshaws on 120 years
of business in the Stratford Community.
519-271-1723
780 Ontario St., Stratford
www.brownheatcool.com
Jason Stanko
Commercial Account Manager
519-421-2454
Congratulations Bradshaws!
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
Comfort First,
You Can Count On Us!
@brownheatcool
®
Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBCand Royal Bank are registered trademarks
of Royal Bank of Canada. ™ Trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.
30075 (01/2011)
BEST WISHES AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO ANOTHER 120 YEARS!
from your friends at WWRD Canada
Congr
to C
Brads
On 120 years of
Wishing you
www.wwrd.com
— BJ
Rep
he Mayor
Mathieson, Mayor
Jeremy, Carrie and Bradshaws staff
Congratulations on
this significant milestone!
Thank-you for the
wonderful service you provide.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR
120TH ANNIVERSARY!
PROUD TO WORK WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS.
TEAHEN LTD.
Construction, Plumbing and Design Group
— Anne & the revel staff!
37 Market Place Stratford, ON N5A 1A4
519.305.1600 | www.revelcaffe.com
519-275-2557 • teahen.ca
teahendesigngroup.ca
Congratulations on 120
years of business in
Stratford!
Wishing you many
more to come.
Sandra Eby
120
and looking
great!
Congratulations
Sales Representative
519-655-2548 (H)
Wishing you another
120 years of success!
~ from your friends at Sinclair Pharmacy ~
519-273-4400 (O)
from the Russells
Happy Birthday Bradshaws!!
12 Wellington St. Stratford Follow
us on
(519) 271-8940
• Since
• Since
SinclairPharmacy
Pharmacy
1960
Sinclair
1960
80 ONTARIO STREET,
STRATFORD, ONTARIO
sinclairpharmacy.ca
THE MILKY WHEY
FINE CHEESE SHOP
Congratulations
Jeremy & Carrie on
the 120th Anniversary
of Bradshaws
Carrie and Jeremy Wreford and Staff,
shaws & Kitchen Detail
f Successful Business in Stratford
many more years of success!
JB Enterprises – Barbara Buck
presenting Crabtree and Evelyn, Root Candles and Paper E-Clips
[email protected]
Happy
120th
Birthday
Bradshaws!
118 Ontario Street Stratford, ON
519.814.9439 www.themilkywhey.ca
ratulations
(519) 273-5850
Festival Square Showroom, 10 Downie Street, Stratford
[email protected] 519.271.7003
Congratulations to Bradshaws on
120 years in business!
70 Ontario Street • 519-273-6666 • PAZZO.CA
Congratulations
on 120 years in
business!
168 Ontario St., Stratford
519.273.4145 | sjmitchellprocorp.ca
Serving
Stratford
& Area
for over
65 years
125 Ontario Street, Stratford 519.271.7581
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
gh the years, Bradshaw’s has always been, and will
ue to be, a model business for young entrepreneurs to
te your success and longevity.
sh you many more years of continued success.
ely,
i n d e p e n d e n t C o f fe e fo r a R e vo l u t i o n
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
21
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
22
More than a century of service
People in Stratford and Perth County, like in most
places, treasure their institutions, so when one’s about
to change hands that can be met with some trepidation.
I remember that being the case when David Bradshaw
sold his retail business in 1974 and concentrated
on wholesale sales. Despite best intentions family
businesses don’t always survive when they are handed
over with failing hands, so when a company like
Bradshaws, with such an historic presence for almost a
century in Stratford’s retail scene, people were justified
in their misgivings, spoken or otherwise.
As a relative of the Bradshaws I can remember that
being a dinner table conversation.
We need not have worried as Bradshaws, under the
leadership of three generations of Wrefords, has not
only survived very nicely, but thrived.
And today, as Jeremy and Carrie are set to celebrate
the 120th birthday for Bradshaws, everyone from
Stratford and Perth County – residents to long-time
customers to descendants and even relatives of the
Bradshaws themselves – know that the Ontario Street
business institution could not be in better hands.
The store itself is modern, beautiful, gorgeously
stocked, wonderfully staffed, obviously well-managed
and perhaps most importantly, usually packed with
customers.
From a community standpoint, the family continues to
play a leadership role in Stratford’s business community
and I can speak personally about the support the
Stratford Perth Museum is receiving this summer.
The Museum was very fortunate, in cooperation with
the Stratford Festival, to land a travelling exhibit from
the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam this summer. It
was a great honour and we think it will help expand the
Stratford experience as people who see the play The
Diary of Anne Frank at the Avon Theatre can augment
the show by visiting the exhibit.
Carrie and Jeremy have been very supportive of that
idea and the Museum in every way, and not because it
does anything for Bradshaws specifically but because
they believe it is an important exhibit and they support
the idea of people and institutions teaming together for
the greater good.
That support is appreciated, and so is the love, care
and attention they continue to give to Bradshaws.
275 Huron Road, Stratford • 519-393-5311
www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca
Congratulations to Bradshaws on your 120th
Birthday!
Very few businesses, especially family owned, can
boast more than a century of service to their community.
Bradshaws is one of the many Stratford businesses
keeping up with new trends while continuing to meet
and surpass client expectations.
As active supporters of the Stratford Tourism
Alliance, Carrie and Jeremy Wreford have made major
contributions to the thriving culinary experiences in
Stratford. Events such as the Christmas Open House are
highly anticipated by all who want to plan innovative
holiday celebrations. Over the years, the shop has
become a must see and do for many who visit Stratford.
Congratulations
0 YEARS!
TO BRADSHAWS ON 12
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
A fabulous Blue Q
customer since 2009.
You’re beautiful, don’t change.
WWW.BLUEQ.CO M
Stratford’s vibrancy as a bustling community is
reflected by the many businesses participating in
exciting programs, becoming involved time and time
again and supporting each other throughout the year.
We wish Bradshaws continued success for another
120 years.
For more information about fun places to shop and
things to do in Stratford go to www.visitstratford.ca
Follow us on Twitter @StratfordON and Facebook
StratfordON.
47 Downie St, Stratford • 519-271-5140
www.visitstratford.ca
Everyone at the Local Community Food Centre in
Stratford would like to congratulate Bradshaws on its
120th birthday milestone!
We would also like to thank Carrie and Jeremy from
Bradshaws for the amazing support they have provided
to the Local in the two short years we have been
operating.
The Local Community Food Centre launched
in November 2012. Our goal has been to provide
community members who are vulnerable to food
insecurity (i.e. struggle to put good healthy food on the
table) with opportunities to enjoy healthy community
meals together; grow food in our greenhouse and
gardens; access healthy local food through community
organizations working with our Storehouse distribution
centre; call for change around conditions that make
it difficult to afford good food; and perhaps most
importantly give everyone the skills they need to cook
great food from scratch.
It was clear from day one that Carrie and Jeremy
shared our values around empowering people to enjoy
the amazing food that Stratford and Perth County are
known for. Whenever we’ve found ourselves in need of
kitchen utensils and equipment they have not hesitated
to donate them to us. During the 2013 holiday season,
they donated the proceeds from their gift wrapping
services to support a special session of our Cook Ahead
program where participants all went home with a
holiday meal with all the trimmings.
Most recently, we approached the Wrefords to see
if they could help us to supply all of the participants in
our youth Seed, Feed and Lead program with a cooking
kit upon their graduation. They provided a beautiful
cutting board, a knife, measuring cups and spoons,
and other utensils that would equip these young people
with everything they needed to cook at home. We didn’t
expect them to donate everything, but Carrie said
that their own belief that all kids should learn to cook
inspired them to provide all of these high quality items
free of charge.
Thanks Carrie, Jeremy and everyone at Bradshaws
for all of your support. We couldn’t do what we do
without you!
612 Erie St, Stratford • 519-508-3663
thelocalcfc.org
Bradshaws has been an integral part of the Stratford
Chefs School since the school’s inception in 1983. As a retailer, Bradshaws has always been the ‘go to’
place in Stratford for our students, faculty and affiliated
restaurants as they source the most innovative cooking
equipment and classic, high quality tools. As members of the extended Stratford Chefs School
family, the Wrefords have spent endless hours attending
the dinners and lunches that we offer to the public in the
winter, our Long Table Dinner fundraiser in the summer
and our springtime graduation ceremony (at which
they present the Bradshaws & Kitchen Detail Award
to a deserving graduating student). In addition, they
support the operations of the school annually through
our season campaign and provide a very generous
donation to our annual Toronto Gala Dinner and Silent
Auction. In recent years, Bradshaws has even worked
with the school to bring in equipment that is specific to
the school’s program, allowing our students to easily
obtain materials that they need through a local retailer. As the school moves forward into its 32nd year of
training apprentices, we are humbly reminded that the
success, tradition and longevity of the Stratford Chefs
School would not be possible without the generosity of
the members of our community who are as dedicated to
giving back to the community as Bradshaws is. Stratford Chef School
68 Nile St, Stratford • 519-271-1414
www.stratfordchef.com
We would like to extend our sincerest congratulations
to Carrie and Jeremy in celebration of Bradshaws 120th
anniversary celebration! Bradshaws has won more coveted awards than
any other retailer in Canada and that is not surprising
if you have met the dedicated husband-wife team that
run the show. The Stratford City Centre has had both
the pleasure and the distinct honour of working with
this couple who, for nine years since they took over
the ownership of Bradshaws, has tirelessly contributed
to making downtown Stratford a thriving place to be.
They have championed the uniqueness of our beautiful
city, demonstrating exemplary initiative, leadership and
creativity in their services across both the arts and
business sectors in our community. On the opportunity of this special occasion, we
send our gratitude and very best wishes for a long and
prosperous future. Happy 120th anniversary! The Stratford City Centre BIA board of directors
47 Downie St, Stratford • 519-273-2461
www.stratfordcitycentre.ca
We thank Bradshaws for giving back to our
community through Stratford House of Blessing. Each year the number of people who come to us for
help continues to grow. Due to this increase, we rely
on annual supporters like Bradshaws to ensure we can
continue providing the services and programs to the
people of Stratford and surrounding rural areas.
How does Bradshaws support Stratford House of
Blessing? Each spring we hold a charity auction at
the Stratford Spring Home Show. We can always count
on Bradshaws to donate a special item, which invites
bidders to bid and therefore increases the amount raised
at the auction. The money from the auction supports
the operation costs of the numerous programs and
services we provide. These include: free food, healthy
school snacks, clothing, housewares, toys, and furniture
for those in need; life skills classes and multiple levels
of Cooking on a Budget, as well as the administration
of the Stratford Sports Fund and Jump Start, the Perth
All of us at Stratford Summer Music would like to
congratulate Carrie and Jeremy Wreford on Bradshaws
120th anniversary.
Both Carrie and Jeremy have been enormously
supportive of the music festival over the years and we
appreciate their ongoing encouragement. Whether it’s
their attendance at one of our annual Spring Soiree
fundraisers, or a generous donation from Bradshaws
to our Over the Top auction each autumn, this young
couple has a clear understanding of the value that arts
organizations add to community. When Summer Music
calls for one reason or another, the answer is always
a cheerfully delivered ...”Whatever you need, we are
happy to help.”
Stratford Summer Music is an organization that
depends on the support of the community and the
individuals who live and work nearby. The Wreford
family are the embodiment of the type of people who not
only work hard every day in their professional lives, but
work hard ensuring that their community thrives as well.
We are so grateful to be amongst the many charitable
organizations that benefit from their vision, their time
and their generosity. Without support of people like the
Wreford family, we couldn’t continue to do what we do.
2015 is an anniversary year for Stratford Summer
Music as well. As we enter into our 15th year of bringing
music into the community, we wish Carrie, Jeremy
and their young family continued good fortune for
generations to come. 25 Ontario St, Stratford • 519-271-2101
stratfordsummermusic.ca
Bradshaws has been a fixture in Stratford and area
for so long it was already 22 years old when United Way
was founded in Canada in 1917! United Way Perth-Huron has enjoyed a relationship
with Bradshaws for many years, and appreciate the
generosity of current Bradshaws owners Carrie and
Jeremy Wreford. Because their donations to United
Way have been invested locally, their contributions have
helped to build strong lives and strengthen communities.
The steadfast support they’ve shown to our community
by supporting United Way is a genuine show of their
strong commitment to their community, and, we are
certain, a sign of the enduring success of Bradshaws. The United Way Perth-Huron congratulates
Bradshaws on 120 years. Carrie, Jeremy, and team, we
wish you many more years of prosperity and community
involvement!
32 Erie St, Stratford • 519-271-7730
perthhuron.unitedway.ca
Bradshaws has been a truly wonderful supporter of
Gallery Stratford and helped us to make a difference
in this community through many aspects of our public
programming. They have set an example as a leader
in sponsoring our annual I Love My Gallery Auction,
helping us to achieve one of our biggest fundraising
successes in our 47-year history. They have supported
our education programs and most recently, they played
a key role enabling us to present an important exhibition
of photography to recognize the 70th anniversary of
the European liberation from Nazi occupation. We are
profoundly grateful for their involvement, their tireless
dedication to their community, and for their awesome
and gracious support of our public art gallery in the
belief that art matters and that it can change lives.
54 Romeo St. S, Stratford • 519-271-5271
www.gallerystratford.on.ca
23
The Stratford Gazette- Thursday, April 30, 2015
County Diapers and Formula program, and the Feline
Friends Network spay and neutering program; and
programs like Off To School Smiling, New Baby Layettes,
and the Christmas Toy program. Bradshaws is also an enthusiastic supporter of
our Christmas Toy program. Christmas can be a very
difficult time for families struggling financially. Our
program allows parents to choose a family game and
puzzle, slippers, hats, mitts, scarves, stocking stuffers
and special toys for each child. Bradshaws has focused
on the adolescent population, which is often an agegroup we receive less donations for. The Christmas Toy
program brings joy to many families; we are grateful for
Bradshaws’ contributions.
Bradshaws, thank you for giving so much back to
our community and congratulations on 120 years of
business success in Stratford! 423 Erie St, Stratford • 519-273-3433
www.shob.org Bradshaws sponsored the exhibition “FRAGMENTS,” featuring portraits of Holocaust survivors, by Jason
Schmartz at Gallery Stratford
OLD WORLD SYRAH
CABERNET/MERLOT
RIEDEL.COM
NEW WORLD PINOT NOIR/
NEBBIOLO/ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
PERFECTION PERFECTED!
SETTING THE STANDARD, YET AGAIN.
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
24
Visionary innovation
for more than 70 years!
www.bodum.com
The history of Port
Port-Style
Style Enterprises’ relationship with Bradshaws
dates back to 1991 when Bill and Sharon were at the fore front of the
company. Then about 10 years ago when Carrie and Jeremy took over
the company, they helped us grow with them. Our brand names such as
Charles Viancin, E-Cloth, Kilner, Mason Cash, Sistema and Typhoon to
name a few, were included in Bradshaws range of top products. Along
with our Rosti Mepal melamine bakeware that has been around for
over 60 years and that we are very proud of, we decided that we needed
to meet the needs of the gourmet retail market and so we developed our
own brands of Kitchen Basics and Maison Plus to add to their range.
We are really proud of Bradshaws continuous success in the industry
and we could not be happier to have them on our list of top customers.
We congratulate you Bradshaws and we cannot wait to carry on with
you for hopefully your next 120 years of business!
Stratford so he couldn’t understand anything beyond
the dollars and cents of the proposal; he couldn’t know
that Stratford is an incredible city and Bradshaws,
along with the other downtown businesses, is a vital
part of it.
Our friends and Toronto family were also skeptical
to varying degrees but we were both far too stubborn
to listen to “reason.” The same sense of adventure and
rebellion that caused me to leave Stratford made us
want to return. A few months later we were here and
haven’t looked back. In June we will be celebrating 10
years of marriage; in February 10 years at Bradshaws.
We have made our lives here, and with our two children Ezra and Gigi, we can’t imagine being anywhere
else.
Before our move Carrie lived pretty much her whole
life in Toronto, but has embraced our new life in Stratford and at Bradshaws with more enthusiasm than I
thought possible. I have often said that I hope I go first,
because I never could do this without her.
We would like to thank many people who have contributed to the longevity of Bradshaws, not in any order
of importance.
First, to all of you, our loyal customers: Stratford
people who have been visiting us for generations, theatre-goers who come back year after year, and those
from the area who regularly make the short drive to
Stratford to enjoy all that it has to offer. Without you,
what Bradshaws was and has become could never
have existed for so long.
Second, we would like to acknowledge the generations of Stratford families who have owned and operated Bradshaws- three of the Bradshaw family, and
the two generations of Wrefords before us. Under their
guidance the business has survived two World Wars,
many economic downturns, ever-increasing competition, and a variety of other obstacles that have brought
so many other great businesses large and small to
their knees. Thanks especially to my parents, who instilled the passion for Bradshaws and the city of Stratford in me, made it possible for Carrie and I to buy the
store, and guided us though the transition and change
of ownership.
Third, to all of our suppliers and companies with
whom we have and continue to work. Many of these
companies have rich histories of their own, some centuries old, yet have never lost the passion for the business and continue to innovate to this day. They have
served as a source of inspiration to us. To the many
tradespeople, accountants, lawyers and local suppliers
who have helped us keep the lights on figuratively and
literally, thank you as well.
And finally to our staff. At present we have over 175
years of combined experience at Bradshaws. Many
have been here for decades and are an integral part of
what we do. They have come to know so many of our
customers personally and are the soul of this business.
We couldn’t do it without their enthusiasm, knowledge
and support.
Retail today is not without its challenges, as anyone with their own business can attest. If nothing else,
my accountant was right about that. It’s hard work, a
labour of love. We hope that it shows in our vision for
Bradshaws.
Thank you so much. We hope to see you soon.
Jeremy and Carrie Wreford
Congratotulations
Bradshaws
on 120 years of
superior service!
honour to work with
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BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
Carrie and I are so pleased to be sharing this milestone with you.
It’s difficult in a way to believe that Bradshaws has
been part of the community for so long- established
just 10 years after Stratford was incorporated as a
city, 58 years before the theatre, 77 years before I was
born- and yet it has always been a part of my life. I
grew up in the business, shared the highs and lows
with my family and learned through osmosis many of
the things that have helped me to understand both the
big picture of a successful retail store and the dayto-day operations of Bradshaws. It’s bred-in-the-bone.
Despite all of that, when I was younger I never had
any notion of coming into the business, nor was it
expected or encouraged. My parents Bill and Sharon
understood that like many young people I had different
interests, so I worked at the store only briefly (my sister
Melissa worked here much longer) and I couldn’t wait
to leave Stratford for the excitement of something new
and different.
I ended up in Toronto where I went to university, began working, and met Carrie. We bought a house and
settled in to our lives there, still never contemplating a
move back to Stratford or Bradshaws.
When my parents began to think about retirement
and came close to selling Bradshaws something
stirred in us- did we want to see this business which
had become the centrepiece of our family’s life be sold
out of it? Carrie and I discussed taking over the store
and decided to see if we could make it work.
I often tell the story of the meeting with my Toronto
accountant to discuss our offer to buy Bradshaws. He
was incredulous to say the least. Why would we want
to give up the relative security of our professional careers to jump into the uncertain world of retail? Why
would we buy a business instead of just starting our
own? Why move to Stratford? Did I know that most
succession plans ended in failure? Unfortunately for
him, he had neither been to Bradshaws nor visited
The Stratford Gazette- Thursday, April 30, 2015
‘We can’t imagine being anywhere else’
25
The Stratford Gazette - Thursday, April 30, 2015
26
Over 110 years of history…
Purifies the air
Destroys undesirable odours
Diffuses a long-lasting fragrance
BRADSHAWS 120TH ANNIVERSARY
www.lampeberger.ca
The Lampe Berger technology guarantees an improvement of your
indoor air quality. Our Home Fragrances are developed for a refined
olfactive universe with the use of perfectly mastered materials and
controlled to satisfy anyone who is concerned about the air quality
they breathe.
We are proud to have a full selection of our world-class products available at
’s since 2002 …
Bradshaw’s
We wish Carrie and Jeremy many more years of success!
Cheers to another 120 years!