STEVE Tymms started out in men’s retail fashion 35 years ago when a best friend told him if he got a job, he could borrow his car to take out a girl on a date.
Tymms got a job the night before the date and the rest, as they say, is history.
Working with prestigious menswear of the day at Lord John in the city, he quickly learnt the ropes of sales and merchandising.
After travelling abroad with Cecil Gee’s in London, he returned and worked for renowned menswear retailer Frank Harding in Plaza Arcade.
Having being bitten by the retail bug, he and wife Tracee found a location in Claremont in Old Theatre Lane and decided to specialise in men’s shoes, the first exclusive men’s shoe store outside of the Perth CBD.
Tymms proudly states his first sale was a tin of shoe polish worth $4.50 at the time.
Finding it a slow process at first, people recognised the quality, value and wide range the shop carried.
It was a rewarding experience with a huge supportive clientele finding Tymms eight years later when he opened a ladies shoe store in Northbridge, retaining his men’s shoe store, Brogues, in Claremont.
Having worked alongside Tymms when I was a 21-year-old fledgling, I have personally watched the growth of this enigmatic character who after 20 years in Old Theatre Lane, sold Brogues in Claremont eight years ago and left the industry, only to find his addiction to fashion outweighing other ventures he pursued.
He returned with the purchase of the Scarpers shoe store for women six years ago, with Tracee working at the helm.
If this was not enough, three years ago, their son Reece bought Tread Shoes for Men in Subiaco.
Recently, deciding it wasn’t for him, Reece moved on and six months ago, dad took over the business and is now the proud owner of yet another men’s shoe store.
It has been a long road well travelled, losing no enthusiasm.