Sconeite Snippet: Jan Serhan

FOR 49 years Serhan’s Menswear has been part of the fabric of business in Scone, but Jan Serhan is ready to start a new chapter in her life and hopes the iconic business continues in new hands.

“I’ve made a career out of buying clothes which has been good and fun,” laughed Jan Serhan.

“I’ve enjoyed people’s company, I really like meeting new people and chatting with old friends,” she said.

“I’d love to see a couple buy it a husband and wife, but if there are two ladies out there who get along well that would be fine, or a mother and daughter,” she said.

When asked if she would consider staying at the helm to celebrate 50 years in business she laughed and said, “no, I am ready to retire.”

Jan has witnessed many changes from her shopfront in Kelly Street and is excited about the new changes the bypass will bring.

“Well we saw the trees come down which was very sad and I hope the trees are coming back,” she said.

“Lots of shops have changed hands which makes it interesting and otherwise it is still Kelly Street, Scone.

“We were initially where the old sports store was, but moved to where we are now in 1970.

“Libby Robertson (owner of Potter Macqueen) has been here a long time too; they moved across the street, but we’ve stayed right here, we’re great mates,” she smiled.

“I like the bypass, I’m right with it,” she said.

“With what they are saying they are going to do to the town with improvements I think it will definitely be a plus and just to get rid of the big trucks and the noise and the dust it causes will be a lovely blessing,” said Jan Serhan.

Jan has also observed changes in selling clothes during the years she has operated.

“We went out of workwear and added ladies jeans, of course then we needed ladies tops to go with the jeans so we got those in,

“Colour wise men were very black and white in those days but there is a lot of colour that has been added since then and they love their coloured shirts and ties,” she said.

“Online shopping has had an impact, but when you look at the percentage it’s not too bad,” she said.

“I think because we stock things people know we will have, so they keep coming back.

“For example not a lot of shops sell men’s pure wool jumpers so we’ve become rather well known for that, so there are people who drive through Scone who stop to buy a wool jumper because they know I carry them, so you just get to talk to people and it’s amazing the people that come back,” she said.

Jan said while it is a menswear shop her customers are predominantly women.

“The majority are women, because wives buy men their jeans and they do shopping for their sons, even when they are married,” she laughed.

“But we have a lovely lot of men that come in too and during horse week there is still a flurry of men coming in to buy shirts and ties at the last minute,” she said.

Jan remained tight lipped about funny stories that have occurred in the shop but said hire wear often kept her awake at night.

“I have to say the funny stories are mostly with hire wear and hire wear not arriving when it should be here and chasing it up and saying to the customer ‘it’ll be fine’ but I sometimes I’d lay awake at night hoping it will be,” she said.

“There was an incident where there was a wedding at Murrurundi and the suits weren’t here on the Friday and they were stuck in Sydney and finally thee carrier went back to work for us to pick them up and bring the suits up to Scone on the Saturday and I had three weddings that day, but he would only come as far as Scone so I had to drive the rest of the way with the suits and meet them at the church, where I helped them get dressed with the Minister, but we make sure it all comes together on the day,” she smiled.

“I can’t tell you too many funny stories that have happened in the shop because we always zip our lips,” she laughed.

While Jan is ready for retirement she hopes the business she has built up for nearly 50 years will continue to be part of Scone’s retail story.

“I just hope someone likes it and loves it as much as I have and are prepared to buy it for that reason too, it is a good business and a lovely community to be part of,” Jan Serhan said.

If you are interested in buying the iconic Scone business, Serhan’s Menswear, please contact Garry Gilkeson, Dawson and Dawson Realty: 0418 828 782.