After 70 years, an emotional end for David Screech's Victoria upholstery shop

After 70 years, an emotional end for David Screech's Victoria upholstery shop Former View Royal mayor says decision to close involved a combination of factors, including shortage of skilled workers, an expiring lease and worries about street disorder. Darron Kloster Aug 25, 2024 3:03 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Greggs Furniture & Upholstery Ltd. owner David Screech at his furniture business.

The former View Royal mayor is closing the shop after six decades, saying one reason is crime in the area. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Listen to this article 00:04:57 On the second floor of a building on Government Street, it’s old-school upholstery and furniture restoration. There are wide tables spread across the open warehouse where fabrics are cut, stands of industrial sewing machines and rolls of felt and foam.

Workers carefully stretch fabrics over wooden frames and hammer tacks and use staples to bring new life to dated colours and patterns. There are sofas, reclining chairs and dining room furniture — even oak chairs from the legislature — all getting a fresh look at Greggs Furniture & Upholstery. David Screech has spent much of his life here, from age 20, working for and then owning a business that’s been around longer than he’s been alive.

So it was understandable that Screech, 64, started to get a little misty when he revealed Friday that he is closing Greggs Furniture & Upholstery at the end of Septem.