The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

16 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, February 20, 1990 Howard Hall closing store after 35 yrs. to pursue other interests 1t was over 40 years ago thay Howard Hall got his first taste of the retail business, and it sparked enough interest that when he finished school he landed a retail job in Port Perry and hasbeen here ever since. Now, after serving the public for the past thirty five years from the same location, Ho- ward has decided to change the direction of his life. "I'm not re- tiring", he told the Star last week, "I have decided to pursue other interests". One of those other interests, and the most dear to his heart at this time is his present job as Mayor of Scugog Township. "I simply want to devote the time required to do a proper job as the Mayor of the township" he said. "That means full time!" Howard Hall came to Port Perry at the age of 14, and worked at the local IGA store, owned then by Gordon McKee after school and in the summer. When he completed school, he took a full time job at the gro- cery store. It was during this time that he met Zula Jackson and was married. In 1952, Ted Jackson, (Ho- ward's father-in-law) offered him a job, and he began work- ing in the implement business from the same site at 221 Queen St. In those days the building was less than half the size, and the free standing structure sported a peaked roof and had corrugated steel sid- ing. A few years after joining Mr. Jackson, who was a well known and respected auctioneer in the area, they abandoned the im- plement business and began to sell appliances. Howard in charge of appliance sales and Mr. Jackson attended to his auctions. About 1965, after Mr. Jack- son had passed away, Howard decided to expand the business to include furniture in addition to the appliances, and it was at this time he changed the name to House of Howard. He has seeii four expansions over the years, with his most major, and recent being in 1983, when the old Ted Jackson building was torn (see photo) down and the new structure was connected to the side of the Port Perry Star building. The changes that have taken place over Howard's thirty five years on the main street have en staggering, but the most obvious he says is the number of family operated businesses. ~ "It used to be that families ran businesses for generation after generation", he said, "but hat, trend is not a practice to- ay. He says that itis hard for him to'believe, but his business is one of the Jorgest to have been operating in the downtown. He notes there are only three busi- nesses left on Queen St. with family background, those being Brock's, Emmerson's and him- self. He notes other noticeable changes include the major ex- pansion of the retail section to include Water St. and 7A High- way, and the development of the lakefront park system. During his years as a Port Perry businessman, Howard has played an active part in the development of this area. He spent a number of years on the board of the Port Perry Businessmen Association, and when that group changed its name to Chamber of Com- merce, he became a director on the first board. He spent 15 years as secretary for the Chamber of Commerce and held the position of president for two terms. He feels very strongly that both organizations have played a very important part in keep- ing Port Perry a vibrant, and 'desirable shopping location. "With the expansion of the re- tail over the past decade, we have created two different types of retail, downtown and plaza, giving the shopper the best of both worlds," he says. All of this expansion has created many more job opportu- -nities for residents and he hopes to see the business com- munity continue to. prosper as ithasin the past. Howard's decision to leave the retail business was not an easy one, and was not made Kelly, Zuly, Greenway, Bruce BARRISTERS and SOLICITORS Motor Vehicle -- Criminal Personal Injury -- Wills Real Estate -- Family Law Corporate & Commercial EVENINGS & WEEKENDS BY APPOINTMENT 114 King St. E., Oshawa 723-2278 399 Queen St. Oy Cure g wy et gionemooy Port Perry, Ont. Stonemoor provides a Child Enrichment Program for children 18 months to 6 years. Open year-round from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM Full and 1/2 Days available. Professional Trained Staff. Nutritious Hot Lunches & Snacks. Stimulating and Adventurous Outdoor Play Areas. For further information phone ... 985-0800 ¢ ¢ » «+» + + Specializing in Early Childhood Education + + s + » « » quickly. "I've been thinking about this for a couple of years", he told the Star, "but it was just a few months ago that I made the final decision". And it's a decision, that was met with sadness for his wife Zula, who initially did not think it was a good idea. It was Zula's father, Ted Jackson, who started the busi- ness, and her family had been in business since the early 1900's in Port Perry. "It's the end of an era for her family", Howard explains. But no one in the family was interested in a career in the fur- niture and appliance business. Howard and Zula's daughter Jennifer, having worked in the store for a few years, is now at home tending to her children. And Jamie (Jennifer's hus- band) who has worked with Ho- ward for the past five years was ready to pursue other interests. "The general public just does not realize the pressures in- volved in operating a retail business today", he says. Another motivation to move out at this time was the fact that one of his tenants, Selec- tions Men's Wear needs room for expansion, and will now take over the entire premises occupied by House of Howard. The Radio Shack franchise which has been located at House of Howard for the past 15 years has been sold to Blan- chard's Supply on North Street and they will re-open the elec- tronics business early in March. "I've really enjoyed the retail business over the past 35 years, but while I'm still healthy and energetic, I look forward to a change in my career", he con- cluded. And for now, that new career will be a full time Mayor for Scugog Township. : a Long time Port Perry business man Howard Hall has an- nounced he will be closing his store, House of Howard effec- tive this Saturday. After 35 years as a downtown business- man, Howard has decided to get out of the retail business, and devote his time to his duties as Mayor of Scugog Town- ship. He Is looking forward to the change In his dally routine, and Insists he has not "retired", just changing his career. (See story and Random Jottings) COUNTRY UPHOLSTERY Free Pickup DONNA ANDERSON & Delivery 105-328-1 1 56 Free Estimates - ), S | Zs Clothing for the Fuller Figure 180 MARY STREET, PORT PERRY (behind the post office) Gigantic Clothes Out Sale ALL INVENTORY MUST GO! Racks starting at $5. - $10. - $15 - and up DRESSES - SKIRTS - PANTS | BLOUSES - SWEATERS ACCESSORIES - etc. Sale Starts February 15/90 985-9948 NN Sizes 14 and Up Cash or Cheque Only SAA N= NS