One of the oldest businesses in Maple Ridge is preparing to close its doors.
Fuller Watson Limited first opened as one of the businesses at the Port Haney Waterfront in 1924. Back then it was a mercantile store that sold everything from food to hardware.
In 1931 the Lougheed Highway was completed, and in 1932 Fuller Watson moved up the hill, as the first waterfront business to relocate to the new Haney downtown business district, according to the Maple Ridge Museum and Archives.
The store has been at the same location since, and run by the same Fuller family – now the fifth generation.
“It’s supported a lot of families for a lot of years,” said Bruce Fuller.
He was the owner of the store from 1989 until it was passed on to his sons Justin and David in 2017.
Despite a century of good memories at Fuller Watson, it hasn’t’ always been an easy road, said the family. There have been many adaptations required to be able to evolve in response the changing community.
“It’s time for a change, and we’re moving forward,” said Bruce. “I’d like to thank everyone for the last 100 years.”
Bruce explained that Fuller Watson Holdings has begun a new partnership in property development with Maple Ridge building contractor Fred Formosa of Falcon Homes. The two men have known each other for a long time, and Bruce said they possess the same community-minded outlook.
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The Fuller family members are not the only ones with fond memories. David said they have heard a lot of sentimental reaction from the community, as word of the closure spreads. A customer told him on Wednesday that she bought her first couch at Fuller Watson, and has been shopping there since. He saw tears in her eyes.
If they’re moving forward, it’s not without some long looks back. This was a family business, and each generation was initiated into the operation from a young age. Bruce said a family operation like theirs is “very rare and very special.”
There is no set date for the closure. But they are planning a day to say goodbye to the community, at a nostalgic open house, before the doors close for good.
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