Latest news with #OnTimeServiceCorp
Globe and Mail
14 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
From Woodward's to London Drugs: The Watch Repair Shop That Time Couldn't Stop
Two family businesses unite: Watch repair and jewellery specialists join London Drugs. When the final Hudson's Bay store locked its doors, it could have ended an era for Chris and Lyndell Skews. Instead, it opened the door to new possibilities. For 46 years, On Time Service Corp has been the steady heartbeat inside some of Canada's most iconic department stores — first Woodward's, then Eaton's, and most recently Hudson's Bay. While retail giants have risen and fallen around them, this Burnaby-based family business has kept ticking, one precious timepiece at a time. Now, those memories have found a new home. As of June 10, On Time Service Corp is operating in 18 London Drugs locations across Western Canada, bringing their full spectrum of services — from complete technical overhauls and jewellery restoration to battery replacements and link adjustments — to communities that have been searching for trusted repair services. "We've watched retail giants come and go, but what never changes is people's connection to their most precious pieces — the wedding ring that needs sizing, the grandfather's watch that stopped working. London Drugs understands that,' says Chris Skews, co-owner of On Time Service Corp. 'They've served Canadian families for 80 years, just like we have for over 40. We know that watches and jewellery aren't just functional pieces — they're personal statements, and this partnership lets us help people express themselves while keeping their treasured items in perfect condition.' The partnership couldn't have come at a more crucial time. As Hudson's Bay faced bankruptcy, On Time Service Corp was determined to serve its loyal customers despite uncertainty. More importantly, they were committed to keeping their skilled technicians — who collectively bring over 200 years of combined experience — employed and doing what they do best. "Hudson's Bay was such a wonderful partner over the years, and we were committed to serving our customers until the very last day,' says Lyndell Skews, co-owner of On Time. 'Now, with London Drugs, we get to continue that same level of service with another family business that truly understands our values. What means the most to me is seeing our skilled team continue doing what they're passionate about — taking care of the pieces that mean everything to people." London Drugs' Vice President of Technology Solutions Nick Curalli saw a promising fit for the partnership. 'As London Drugs celebrates its 80 th year in business, it is an honour to partner with On Time Service Corp — a family-owned Canadian company with a long history of providing an exceptional level of service to customers,' says Curalli. 'We look forward to working closely with Chris and Lyndell and the team in this next chapter for their business.' For Candice Johnston, Director of Operations, who has built her career alongside the Skews family over the past 20 years, managing this transition has been both challenging and rewarding. "When everything started changing, I kept thinking about our customers who depend on us and our incredible staff who make it all happen," she reflects. "We needed to find a way to take care of everyone while we figured out our next steps. When we met with London Drugs, it just felt right — they really understand what we're all about." Johnston has been orchestrating the intricate transition of staff, inventory, and systems to the new London Drugs locations, coordinating closely with teams from both companies. "In all my years here, this feels like one of those transformative moments," she says. "I'm genuinely excited to see what we can build together in this new chapter." Beyond their London Drugs locations, On Time Service Corp is also launching a web application at this month that will extend their services to customers across Canada — including those who don't live near physical locations and areas where London Drugs doesn't yet have stores. The innovative platform addresses a gap they've long recognized in underserved markets. 'We kept hearing from people in smaller communities or those who had a broken watch sitting in a drawer for 20 years," explains Chris Skews. "They wanted our services but couldn't access them. Our new web app changes everything." The innovative platform offers instant quotes, including shipping, integrated secure payment, pre-paid FedEx shipping labels, and insured return delivery — making professional watch and jewellery repair accessible to every Canadian, regardless of location. From battery replacements to complete movement overhauls, from simple jewellery repairs to complex restoration of century-old heirlooms, On Time Service Corp brings the same meticulous attention to detail whether you're dropping off your items at a London Drugs counter or shipping from a remote community. We're grateful for every partnership that brought us to this moment," says Lyndell Skews, reflecting on their journey from Woodward's to London Drugs. "London Drugs is allowing us to grow in ways we're really excited about.' While Hudson's Bay has closed its doors for the final time, On Time Service Corp welcomes both returning and first-time customers at their new London Drugs locations. The transition has been seamless — the same trusted craftspeople, the same attention to detail, just in an even better retail environment. "Every watch tells time," Chris Skews reflects, "but more importantly, every watch tells a story. Our job is to make sure those stories keep going." The new London Drugs locations represent the beginning of an expanded partnership, with additional On Time Service Corp counters expected to open throughout 2025. All current locations and the new web application can be found at About On Time Service Corp On Time Service Corp. has been Canada's trusted watch and jewellery repair company since 1979, serving more than half a million Canadians and handling thousands of repairs each year. Specializing in expert-level watch and jewellery repairs, the company handles everything from family heirlooms to everyday timepieces with care and precision. All repairs are performed by certified in-house technicians in Burnaby, B.C., who bring more than 200 years of combined experience to every piece. About London Drugs Founded in 1945, B.C.-based London Drugs sells throughout Canada through its online store, and has 80 London Drugs locations in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. London Drugs offers customers a range of products from digital cameras and cosmetics to computers and televisions. Renowned for its creative approach to retailing, the company employs more than 9,000 people with pharmacy and healthcare services at the heart of its business. Committed to innovation and superior customer service, London Drugs has established itself as a reputable and caring Canadian company that supports Canadian brands and continues to position itself for future growth and development.
Vancouver Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Burnaby watch repair business finds new life after demise of Hudson's Bay stores
An independent, Burnaby-based watch-repair business, which had operated inside Hudson's Bay stores across Western Canada for over 30 years, is rebuilding itself in partnership with another well-known retail chain. On Time Service Corp. moved into five London Drugs locations in the Lower Mainland and Kamloops in early April, as Hudson's Bay started winding down operations. This week, it opened in another 13 locations across B.C. and Alberta, and there could be more to come. 'It's just such a warming feeling to have this new relationship with a partner that wants to see us succeed and work with us,' said Chris Skews, co-owner of On Time Service Corp. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'It's been heartbreaking to think, originally, that we were going to have to lay off all our staff, but, with London Drugs coming on board, we tried to stay open in The Bay as long as we possibly could as we transition to the London Drugs locations.' It's a fresh start for a small company that endured some bumpy last few years inside Hudson's Bay stores. Their sales went through Hudson's Bay cash registers. As HBC struggled to do regular maintenance on elevators and air conditioning systems, it also started missing regular payments to licensees, including Skews' business. 'It was really poorly managed towards the end,' said Skews. On Time Service is smaller than it once was, but still draws thousands of customers with a niche need. The original company, founded by Skews' father in 1979, was called TimeHouse and it operated in Woodward's stores. When Eaton's came about, he formed a new company and it was called D&D Time, which stood for David and Della, the names of Skews' parents. The company moved from Eaton's to Hudson's Bay stores in 1992 and at the peak of the arrangement, it ran third-party watch and jewelry repair stores in some 33 Hudson's Bay locations across Western Canada. It still had almost 20 locations when Hudson's Bay filed for creditor protection to avoid bankruptcy in March, and then went down to 13 by the company's last day in June. Hudson's Bay is nearly $1 billion in debt and On Time Service is one of many unsecured creditors owed hundreds of thousands of dollars and more that isn't backed by real estate or other assets, according to court filings. Skews said many customers have been reaching out. Some had left watches or other pieces for repair and have been worried about getting them back. 'We couldn't share the information back in the early days of where we were going to be opening. We reassured customers that we're just a licensed department operating inside the Hudson's Bay and we're working with a new retailer.' The company's retail staff replace watch batteries, remove links from watches and perform a myriad of other minor repairs to watches, but pieces that require major repairs are brought to a central workshop in Burnaby. Nick Curalli, vice-president, technology solutions at London Drugs, said On Time's company profile — 'multi-generational, Canadian, family-owned' — mirrors London Drugs' profile. 'What was really interesting, as well, was the fact that they have a very loyal customer base that they've been serving for many, many years in many locations,' said Curalli. Cathy Bachs was thrilled to hear the watch-repair company has a path forward. She was the original Hudson's Bay regional manager who oversaw On Time Service when Skews' dad first operated it and she worked there for some 30 years. 'I was one of the 825 that got laid off across the country when, just before the Americans bought the company, our CEO at the time had decided that he was going to try one last-ditch attempt to save the Canadian company from being bought, and we got let go on a Friday,' Bachs said. She still maintains a tight friendship with a group of former senior managers and they meet once a month for lunch. On a personal level, she is an avid jewelry and watch collector and has been bringing her dozens of pieces to On Time for years. 'I go around and I hit markets and rummage sales and garage sales. I've been doing that for over 40 years. I was always confident no matter what I bought, no matter what condition it was in, that I would be able to get On Time Service to get it up to snuff for me,' she said. 'My husband teases me because, if you recall, the (watches) from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, they had tiny little faces. He says, 'Can you still see that?' I can still see it. I've got glasses on.' One of her 'best' finds was a vintage watch she found for a few dollars. Turns out it is actually made of solid gold and she had it appraised for $1,400. 'They were able to do an overhaul for me and put a new movement in and I can wear it,' said Bachs. jlee-young@
