A TAUNTON business is celebrating eight decades of history today after first opening during World War II.
Situated on Taunton's Station Road, Dennis Calvert (Senior) and his wife opened Calverts in 1944, now the oldest furniture shop in Taunton.
Calverts over the years has expanded along Station Road, acquiring adjoining properties (Pitman's Butchers, Pearce's Sweet Shop, Reed and Giles' Fishmongers and Poole the Ironmongers) - now occupying an impressive frontage amounting to eight shop fronts with 25,000 square feet of showrooms arranged over two floors.
With its own customer car park accessed off Canal Road, Calverts is now a destination store in its own right; a far cry from the single shop front 80 years ago.
The business has developed a loyal customer base offering Taunton and the surrounding area quality furniture, upholstery, beds, floor coverings and window treatments from design-led manufacturers
Dennis Calvert who had served his apprenticeship at Bainbridges of Newcastle came to Hatchers of Taunton where he met his wife Annie, who had bought an apprenticeship there.
They were married in 1924 and moved to Croydon in Surrey to "better themselves" where they remained until the war.
When war was imminent, they returned to Somerset to Annie's home in Stoke St Gregory.
Opening up on the history of the family business, a spokesperson from Calverts provided a look at the 80-year history of Calverts:
WARTIME RESTRICTIONS:
"Furniture being unavailable to the retail trade, Mr Pearce had introduced household ironmongery and second-hand furniture, so the shop was exactly the business they were looking for.
"Mr Calvert acquired stock from wholesalers and customers who had either been bombed out, or newly married who had not found homes to move into and had dockets to acquire furniture.
"He put the items into stock with the proviso he could show it on the sales floor."
FAMILY AFFAIR
"The whole family were excited with the prospect of their new business - their children Alan who was 15 and Dennis (Junior) 11 both wanted to be involved.
"When Alan left school, he joined his parents in the business.
"He was eager to be able to drive and did deliveries in their 1934 Austin Van, which had been a milk float in a previous life.
"It was necessary to take £8.00 a day. On their first day, they took £32.00!
"Whilst writing to their children, doing National Service or holidays etc they would disclose turnover in degrees, for instance, £32.00 would have been 32 degrees - quite cold and £78.00 as 78 degrees - much warmer today!
"Dennis (Junior) joined the Company in 1953 after doing National Service.
"In 1960 Dennis' wife Heather joined the company and having spent several years in the fashion trade with Jaegar, introduced the soft furnishings department, which quickly grew and is today ably managed by John Hewins.
"Over the years Dennis and Annie were keen to improve their property and at a time when you could not get building permits were able to only have small improvements made.
"Regretfully Dennis (Senior) passed away in 1969 followed by Annie in 1975. Dennis (Junior) and his wife Heather then took over the reins."
THE SECRET OF SUCCESS
So, what is the secret of Calverts success over the last 80 years?
Dennis Calvert attributed it to the contribution of their staff: "We have always had excellent and knowledgeable staff who give honest and impartial advice to our customers. Calverts has a family feel and the staff are very much part of this.
"Some have been with us for over 40 years."
Sadly, Dennis died in December 2023, a the age of 90.
Calverts remains a family run business with Heather and Annie and Dennis' granddaughter Susan, who joined the business eight and half years ago.
With the support of all the staff, the business is looking forward to an "exciting future" on Taunton's Station Road.
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