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FAGANS
– what’s in a name? Perhaps the stuff
of legend! While St. Fagan might well have been
a 2nd century icon in Wales, it is fair to say
that under the stewardship of Shirley and Dave
Wilson, Fagans Furniture Beds and Homewares
store on Albert Street in Whitianga has become
something of a shopping icon of its own, a must-
see for visitors as well as a go-to signature store
for bedding, furniture, kitchenware and other
homeware products. Add to this the flagship
sister stores just down the street – Fagans
Flooring & Tile Warehouse and Resene Paints –
and there is an empire in the making!
The name Fagans actually derives from the
original owners Geoff and Christine Fagan who
opened the business 22 years ago, originally as
a second hand furniture store on Monk Street.
The store later moved to where it is today
on Albert Street, still trading under the name
Fagans. Shirley and Dave bought the business
in December 2006. “We kept the name, but
changed the dynamics of the store and over
time changed the lay-out”. Now it’s very much
a prime retail store... or in Shirley’s words
“Whitianga’s own mini department store”.
MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
Shirley and Dave’s philosophy is “you make
things happen, you take the journey’’. So
what journey brought this enterprising couple
to Whitianga? Motivation and hard work are
common attributes of our Coromandel business
couples, and another stand-out feature is risk-
taking, an eye for opportunity.
‘Morrinsville born and bred’, Shirley and Dave
are no strangers to these qualities as both were
successful in their previous professions. Dave
ran his own engineering business for 13 years,
starting with one staff member and building
to 22, before selling up in 2005. Meanwhile,
Shirley had just completed her Management
degree through Foodstuffs, which certainly
improved her customer service skills. “I really
enjoy people and would like to think we treat
people the way we would like to be treated.”
The motivation to move to Whitianga in 2006
was ‘semi-retirement’, with their original plan
being to buy and renovate houses.
They bought Fagans warehouse/storeroom as
an investment, and when the Fagans store itself
was put up for sale a few months later, they
saw a ‘great opportunity’. So much for early
retirement!
Neither had experience in furniture retail and
admit that learning has been an evolving
process. “However, Dave’s engineering brain
makes him a top man at sussing things out”,
Shirley comments. “He is very particular, very
fastidious, very business-minded”. These
qualities enabled them to survive the market
crash, “We are proud that we actually grew
In the spirit! Dave and Shirley (far right) wi
th Maree, Jane & Danielle, three of their staff
members, in the Christmas corner. Sant
a, along with Coromandel FM, popped in for a surprise
visit and broadcast
in early December
, bringing smiles to all ages. See more photos on FB.
W
hen moving to Tair
ua, I was sent to Fagans for everything! From
curtain hooks to espresso machines to great pillows and beds...all
your needs from floor to ceiling!
Then, new owners Shirley and Dave Wilson seemed to stock it all, with
that ‘olde time general store’ feeling with an upscaled showroom look.
Wander the aisles, and you’ll come upon just the right item you didn’t
even know you were looking for – it’s a real treasure trove, with the stock
changed and refreshed through the seasons.
The Wilsons have a knack for keeping things ‘merry’ whatever the
season, but this year’s Christmas decor ‘outdecked’ the halls.
Santa even came to check it out. Keeping that spirit alive, many
fun sales, workshops, and charity events are held
throughout the year! –Tovi Daly
Experience Dave & Shirley Wilson’s
Festive Spirit throughout the year
...
FAGANS
Whitianga
54
COROMANDEL LIFE 2016 SUMMER/EASTER