Clothing retailer Trims re-opened today – a family offshoot of the original that closed its doors in May, leaving a $3.2 million debt.
The new site is just two blocks from the original, landmark King William Street location.
When Justin Trim, grandson of the company’s co-founder, bought the trading name and goodwill of Trims, he told InDaily the new business would be run without any involvement by his father Russell.
Justin’s partner in the new venture is Peta Thompson, who worked at Trims for more than 20 years as the marketing operations manager.
At today’s opening, Thompson was confident the new Trims could recapture the store’s better days.
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“Everyone knows the world has changed with online retailing, but for people who actually want some service and advice, we can still deliver that,
and better than most,” she said.
“At Trims, you won’t just find someone to help you, but they’ll actually know what they’re talking about as well.”
The new shop will stay with the old brand names it has traded on for years – Levi’s, RM Williams and Rossi Boots.
Thompson and business partner Justin were keen to get the store up and running in time for Christmas trade.
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“Traditionally Christmas is a busy time for retail and obviously we’re hoping to see a lot of our old customers come back and do some shopping with us again this year,” Thompson said.
“If we can have a good Christmas trade, we’ll set ourselves up nicely for 2014 to keep rebuilding the brand into a great South Aussie success story.”
Thompson says she hopes consumers will support the brand in the same way they’ve supported other local businesses and brands when they’ve needed it.
“In some ways, this is a classic ‘David versus Goliath’ story. We’re definitely the underdog when it comes to competing with some of the big department stores and multinational companies.”
Trims is now located at 430 King William Street, two blocks south of its original location, near South Terrace (next door to Sealink).
The old family company, established by twins Alf and John in Adelaide 75 years ago, went into administration in May this year and was liquidated shortly after, owing $3.2 million to unsecured creditors and $580,000 in staff wages and entitlements.
Stock was liquidated and the building, owned by a related family company, prepared for sale.
A huge crowd gathered outside Trims for its liquidation sale.
Justin, 38, was general manager of the business and was previously a director and secretary of Trims Finance Co Pty Ltd, the family company that owned the business.
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