The rich culture and history of St Thomas can sometimes be overlooked, with new and modern businesses spotting the old architecture of historic Talbot St. However, one staple of the city that has withstood, continuing a legacy through the years, has been Jennings Furniture & Design, the second-oldest furniture store in Canada.
Jennings in 1975. (Elgin County Archives.) In 2009, the owners, Scott and Bruce Hammond, descendants of W.B. Jennings, approached one of their interior designers, Renee Carpenter, to purchase the store. During this time, despite the recession and job losses that had hit St. Thomas, Carpenter took a leap of faith. After taking over, her focus shifted the merchandise towards modern high-end, luxury and custom pieces, compared to mass-produced big brand names. Carpenter noted that the downsizing of housing through the years, specifically with clientele opting for condominiums and smaller living spaces, would require different furniture needs. This change in tune shifted the interest and specific taste of the customer into the spotlight, bringing back an era bygone of when the store had first opened. Keeping with tradition, Carpenter mentions that Jennings continues to provide manufacturers of traditional-styled furnishings for clients amidst the contemporary, modern and transitional pieces. This variety allows each client’s needs and desires to easily be satisfied. Jennings also strives to carry on its legacy through its values, specifically customer service. It is committed to upholding the same quality and service provided to St. Thomas and the surrounding area since 1885. While quality was never questioned, Jennings rebranded services, adding designers to the team to provide new upscale interior design services to members of the Jennings Club. This change would allow locals to purchase locally rather than opting for designers and services from distant larger areas such as Toronto. Even throughout Covid, Carpenter remained dedicated to the store, offering virtual showcasing of products to clients, preparing curb-side deliveries and fashioning the store’s website for online shopping. Her motivation lies in the generations that have run the store before her through wars, pandemics, economic failure and more. Her perseverance drives the store forward through tough times, and her resilience is inspiring. Years of dedication and determination have proven fruitful to the store, which has proudly served St. Thomas for 138 years. This store is one of the beautiful jewels of our downtown, giving a glimpse into our past with bright hope for the future.
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