After 62 years of ensuring the men of the Latrobe Valley are dressed well, Chris and Russell Davidson hung up the measuring tape and closed the doors to Traralgon’s Les Davidson Menswear for the last time on Friday
The couple has been flooded with messages of support and sadness from long-term customers, since announcing their retirement earlier this year.
“It’s a joyful time and also a time of sadness that we have decided to shut the doors,” Russell said.
“We’d like to acknowledge those many people who are in now and who have thanked us for our service and friendship.
“(The support) has been very humbling.”
The Davidsons grew their family business from a small storefront to a successful retail store, which closed at 6pm on Friday.
“It’s been quite busy today,” Russell said on Friday.
The Davidsons’ daughter Nicole Hartley said the store had been a part of Traralgon’s history for a long time.
“(They have) become part of the lives of the families of those that shop with them on a regular basis,” she said.
“In the course of their business, they’ve served people’s children, and then their kids’ kids.
“They have personalised service, they remember people’s names and stories.”
The Davidsons said they were looking forward to an exciting future in retirement.
