Tawny Phorson sells JB's, retires after almost 30 years on Kincardine's main street

After 28 years at the helm of JB's Lingerie in downtown Kincardine, Tawny Phorson has sold the business and is retiring.

“I thought it was time to step back from retail, and I'm pleased that Justine McManus is taking over,” said Phorson. “She worked for me back when she was in high school.”

McManus, who owns Tropix Sun and Swim, also in downtown Kincardine, is the new owner, effective April 1.

JB's has been in Phorson's family for longer than 28 years, however, Her mother, Jean Borys, opened the store in 1975, naming it after the initials of her name – J.B.

“I worked for my mom in the store while I was in high school,” said Phorson, “but I went away for school in Toronto and then lived and worked there for eight years.”

In the meantime, her mother sold the business to family friend, Kathy Phillips, in 1982.

So, while she was working in Toronto, and dating her future husband, Howard, who was living in Kincardine, she decided that if she got a job here, she would move back home. First, though, she needed to discover if she even liked working in retail.

“I went to work in the lingerie department at the Simpson's store in Toronto as a seasonal employee at Christmas,” said Phorson.

And she so enjoyed it that she decided to make the move back to Kincardine, purchasing JB's Lingerie, March 1,1989.

Phorson said when her mother opened the business, it was located in a tiny space in a mini-mall at the back of where the tourist information centre is now. Then the store was moved to where Mirage is, and then to the west side of Queen Street where The Loop is now.

And finally, nine years ago, the Phorsons purchased the building at 789 Queen Street, on the east side, and moved the store to its current location.

“It's been a steady business over the years,” said Phorson. “You have busy years and then not-so-busy years. Originally, we carried maternity clothes and uniforms. When I bought the store, we had bras, sleepwear and hosiery. I added swimsuits and a small men's department. And now we also provide mastectomy products and fittings.”

As for being a fixture on the main street of Kincardine, she said it's been interesting.

“I've seen a lot of changes over the years,” she said. “Businesses come and go. There used to be a bit of a rivalry between east-side and west-side stores.”

Phorson said the customers have grown with her, and range in age from 25 to 65. “I've always hired high school students to work in the store. They help me remain aware of the trends in fashion, particularly in the lines we carry.”

Currently, she has about seven staff, all part-time.



Tawny Phorson (right) shares a laugh with her employee, Mary Ellen Ross at JB's Lingerie

The major highlight of working retail, said Phorson, are the customers.

“I have so many loyal customers and I'm going to miss them,” she said. “I love the fashion part, and bringing in new items. And I love being downtown when it's busy. It's been a wonderful business.”

She said the most challenging thing over the years has been advertising and knowing how to connect properly with your customers.

“I'm not going to miss the stress of running a business and being tied to it all the time,” she said. “And Mary Ellen Ross (one of her employees) and I are going to have lunch together for the first time in five years.”

Phorson said her husband is semi-retired and they have purchased a cottage north of Parry Sound. They have two daughters, Jules, 24, a dietitian in North Bay; and Eartha, 19, who is in university.

McManus said she is excited about the opportunity to own and operate JB's Lingerie. She has run Tropix for the past 10 years and has four staff there.

“I'm looking forward to this new challenge,” she said. “I went to post-secondary school for retail management and I've always liked this store"

McManus has no plans to change anything at JB's right away, and will operate it separately from Tropix. “I want to maintain the current customer base so we'll keep things as they are for now.”

“I have received so many positive comments since I announced my retirement,” said Phorson. “I'm happy to be retiring and I'm pleased to see the business is in good hands.”



Justine McManus (right) has purchased JB's Lingerie in downtown Kincardine from Tawny Phorson who plans to retire