Wallace Bishop has celebrated 100 years of business as a jewellery retailer.
Founded in 1917 by the original Wallace Bishop, the family-owned and -operated company is now overseen by his third, fourth and fifth generations.
This includes his namesake grandson, Wallace (chairman), great-grandson, Stuart (CEO), and great-great-grandsons, Alexander (brand manager) and William (currently studying and working part-time in the business).
“I always knew I wanted to follow in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and be involved in the company,” Wallace said.
“In fact, as soon as I finished my junior exams, I hopped on my bike, pedaled straight to the workshop, and Dad put me to work straightaway.
I started as a watchmaker and held many positions in the company over the years, but my proudest achievement is how Wallace Bishop has maintained its reputation for quality and service since 1917 and over five generations.”
Throughout its 100 years of operations, Wallace Bishop has survived economic downturns and major global events, including two World Wars, the Great Depression, and, more recently, the Global Financial Crisis.
It has grown from its founding store in Queen Street, Brisbane, to 50 stores and more than 500 employees throughout Queensland and New South Wales, making it the largest Brisbane born and bred retailer.
“Despite the ups and downs of business, people have always trusted Wallace Bishop for celebrating special moments – engagements and weddings, births and christenings, graduations, birthdays, and more,” Stuart said.
“We hand make approximately 300 rings every year and, while we don’t have actual records, there would certainly be tens of thousands of Wallace Bishop rings adorning hands as heirlooms and gifts.”
Both Wallace and Stuart are heavily involved in day-to-day operations, and believe it is the business’s local team and expertise that is the key to the ongoing success of Wallace Bishop.
“As a family business, we look to our team members as an extended family,” Stuart said.
“We’ve never given in to international outsourcing because we value local knowledge and experience and feel it is important to support the people who have supported us.”
The Bishop family is also heavily involved with numerous charities and non-profit organisations, such as schools, hospitals, clubs, and local projects, as a way of giving back to the community.
To celebrate its centenary and thank loyal customers, Wallace Bishop will have a range of events, in-store promotions, offers, exhibitions and entertainment throughout the year.
“I’d like to give a big thank you to anyone and everyone who has supported or been involved with Wallace Bishop over the years,” Wallace said.
“So, from customers and suppliers to current and past staff – thank you, because we couldn’t have done it without you.”