Coffs Coast WEDDING Guide
T H E S I M M O N F A M I LY
The Simmon family have been in Coffs Harbour for 80 years, originally coming here to carve a career in the rag trade. Cue 2015, and today their family store, Jack Simmons mensland, has three generations of Simmons working in the business on any given day. he Simmon family have been a huge smile! in Coffs Harbour for 80 The Simmons have a history in Coffs Haryears, originally coming here bour that spans over 80 years. What is the to carve a career in the rag original heritage of the Simmon family, trade. and who were some of the first Simmons Back in 1942, Mr Jack Simmon established to pull up stumps in Coffs Harbour? an outstanding reputation in Coffs Harbour as My grandfather, Lou Simmon, arrived in a businessman of courtesy and integrity. Jack Australia from Lebanon at the turn of the last came to Coffs Harbour in 1941 from Bellingen, century, settling in Kempsey and travelling up where he owned a business at the time. He and down the coast as a hawker selling clothalso owned a store in Armidale. Upon arrival ing. In 1922 my uncle, Jack Simmon, estabin Coffs Harbour, Jack took over a men’s store, lished his first business, a drapery and mercery formerly known as Blow’s. store in Bellingen. By 1953, Jack had comHe expanded in 1938, estabpletely modernised the lishing a menswear store at store. This was entirely Armidale. Jack could see in line with Jack’s the potential growth in The business has d belief that the store Coffs Harbour and in been good to us an was to keep up to 1941 sold his interests ng vi while we do love ha date with the latest in Bellingen and rt pa our grandchildren ss, it selling trends. Armidale to establish ne of the family busi that When the store a menswear store in us is important to own r ei was first taken over Coffs Harbour. th they pursue by Mr Simmon, the What changes do careers.” staff comprised him you think this new and his manager, Frank generation will bring to Horan. Frank and Jack had the business? worked together for over 20 The business has been good to years, having a break from being colus and while we do love having our leagues only when Frank went away to grandchildren part of the family business, war. It was that period when Frank was it is important to us that they pursue their own away at war service when he brought his careers. younger nephew, Tony Simmon, into business. Right now they have their whole life ahead It was always Jack’s legacy to ensure that of them, and who knows what they’ll do. It’s the store and the family stayed up to date with difficult to predict what assets they’ll bring to current trends and good, old fashioned service. the business and to what capacity, but as long Cue 2015, and today Jack Simmons as they are happy, so are we. Mensland is owned and operated by Tony and What important lessons have you learnt his wife, Elizabeth, who work five and a half along the way, and what would you like days a week on the floor. The store is still very to pass down to your sons and grandchilpopular and completely iconic to our region. dren? Walk in store, and you’ll find three generaIt’s important to be polite, honest and sintions of Simmons working on any given day, cere, both in business and personal life. welcoming customers with a jolly greeting and Thanks guys.
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52 Coffs Coast focus
W E A R I T U P O R D OW N ?
It’s a big question: should you wear your hair up or down for your wedding day? It seems like it wouldn’t be so difficult to decide, but something this simple has a big impact on your wedding day look, so it can be a tough decision. yself and the stylists that seriously GORGEOUS hair that can last at Living Doll have through hurricanes, go for it - wear it down done our fair share of and flowing. However, if you have anything weddings, and we’ve like my hair, I’ll spend hours working on the seen it all when it perfect curl-to-volume-to-wave ratio only to comes to hairstyles. And friends, I’ve formed have my manicured locks barely last through an opinion on this. My friends always tell me cocktails, much less appetizers or dinner. I feel that I need to share more of my opinions, so like my hair knows exactly when I step out here it goes… the door, and it begins a five-minute In my opinion, the most countdown to “blah”. successful option is to Also, if you’re at all nerwear your hair UP on vous about frizzy strands es your wedding day. in the humidity, the id br y an m d I’ve ha ir Your hairstyle breezy beach having its ha r ei th r wea ed ok lo needs to last a ’ve way with your locks, ey th d down, an last ic ep e th til long time at your or curls falling flat, un us gorgeo n ai rt ce e os th wedding - at then find a gorgeous ut B . song ain type rt ce a ve ha LEAST six or eight es updo that will fit your id br their hours - and it needs personality and style. of hair that holds ell.” shape extremely w to be able to endure We’ve found over the all kinds of conditions. years that wearing your Think sweat, humidity, hair up will last longer and sun, breeze, and hugs from stay intact through the celemany, many loved ones. The bration and doesn’t have to be too chances of your hair staying in beautiful rigid, stiff and formal looking. It can still shape when it’s down is much lowbe very soft and even at times not look like er than when your hair is up. it has even been pinned up. We can work our Now, I must say that this has a LOT to do magic for you. with your particular hair. I’ve had many brides So, if you’re unsure of how long your hair wear their hair down, and they’ve looked will last, follow my rule of thumb: when in gorgeous until the epic last song. But those doubt, wear it up. The good news is that there certain brides have a certain type of hair that are so many creative ways to wear your hair holds their shape extremely well. Most of us up these days. Come and have a chat with one girls know if our hair can hold curls or volume of our Premier Stylists at Living Doll for some for an extended period of time - and we ideas, and we can try a few different styles on also know when it can’t. you. If you are one of those lucky girls who has XO Dolls.
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