Serhans Clothing, on Kelly Street, Scone has been an icon in the local community since it first opened its doors in 1967.

It was the perfect dream for Jan’s husband William to relocate the Muswellbrook based menswear shop he managed with his three brothers to Scone.

That dream became a reality for the brothers when they bought what is now the Scone Sports Store.

Two years later and Jan and William had bought the business from the brothers after it was relocated to its current address under the banner W. & J.A. Serhan.

They were the prime years – and what Jan describes as a particularly exciting period in their lives.

“With two small children, William managed the shop while I handled the office work at home,” Mrs Serhan said.

In a shock to their family, friends and the community, William became ill with a brain tumour and sadly lost his battle in February 1976. 

Jan stepped up to manage the business, and it’s been her whole life since.

“Will was a hard act to follow,” she laughed.

“He was very popular with his customers and thought highly of.”

Over time, Jan oversaw many changes to the shop, including the introduction of ladies fashion wear.

“It was particularly interesting times,” she confessed. “Menswear began to change with colour and patterns becoming more and more fashionable – there was never a dull moment in those times.”

The passing years also saw the introduction of fashion parades, which were no doubt the talk of the town in their time.

“We always had a lot of fun with the parades,” Jan said.

“Apart from the most important part [the fashion] we always managed to make the shows entertaining and have had some fun-loving, male models willing to oblige.”

“I could relay many funny tales from behind the scenes – but we have always promised to keep our lips sealed.”

She’s also employed many locals over the years, and long standing employees, including June Jukes who started in 1994 at the shop and left last year.

As the years continued the business expanded to incorporate hire wear, and eventually cater for school formals, deb balls and special functions.

Jan says fashion wear has come a long way since the early days and the drama of waiting for late arrivals.

“It’s all become fast paced, and online shopping has definitely had an impact,” she said.

“Today it is much more streamlined and professional.”

“The Scone Cup was always our highlight of the year with men and ladies throwing themselves into fashion.”

With the business now for sale, Jan hopes that someone will carry on the shop she has built up which has become such an icon in the Scone community.

“At this stage, we are selling all the stock and it looks as if we will close in February,” she said.

“I’d be quite happy for someone to pick it up – I really don’t want to have to leave it as an empty shop front.”

At 82-years-old, Jan said “it was just time” and is looking forward to 2018 being the start of her golden years of retirement, surrounded by family and the community she loves.