Monday 11 November 2013

Thursday 7 November 2013

Helen Wilson Celebrates 80 years in Downtown Oshawa


It’s not often that one can say they have seen it all.


But Helen (Wilson) Sherman smiles when she remembers being told she was in a crib when her father Ed Wilson  opened a used furniture store on Church St. (now Centre St) in the summer of 1934.

 




“Growing up in Downtown Oshawa was fun”,  she said.

“We knew everyone, and everyone knew us.”

 

In 1962, Helen took over the store with her husband Bob Sherman

where they both worked together for over 35 years.

Helen became the main furniture and accessory buyer, and her sense of fashion and design

made many of her creations national best sellers.

“I remember creating some unique sofa designs and fabric marriages that were picked up nationally by Eatons”, she said.

“Our customers loved to see our new designs which were sometimes a year or 2 ahead of other stores”.

 

In November 1984, while Helen and Bob were on a buying trip in the Far East, Wilson’s neighbor,

Chapman’s Automotive burnt to the ground, creating major smoke and water damage to Wilson’s.

“We had no idea that our store was almost destroyed until we came home from the trip” Helen explains.

“Our boys refused to tell us”. Sons Darryl and Jory Sherman were both at university at the time,

but came home to manage the business until their parents returned.

“We are very fortunate to have  parents with a positive vision”, says Darryl Sherman, third generation

in the family business. Darryl credits his parents for starting the  renewal of Downtown Oshawa.

 

“They invested their future in rebuilding a beautiful new store, and insisted on staying in the same location

when no one was investing in Downtown Oshawa. “, he said.

The Sherman Brothers took over the business in 2000.

 

Helen is now retired, although she regularly visits the showroom and critique’s  the displays. She continued to attend buying

Shows until the past few years.

“We have customers come in and ask for mom all the time. “ says Jory Sherman. “ Back then , they weren’t just customers.

They were classmates, and friends.

To celebrate Helen’s 80th birthday, friends, classmates and customers are invited to Wilson’s this Saturday November 9th

From 12 noon to 2 pm. Join her for cake and coffee and a walk down memory lane!



 
 
Groundbreaking of Wilson Furniture’s New showroom June 1986

L-R Wilson's Founder Ed Wilson, Helen (Wilson)Sherman, Bob Sherman, Mayor Alan Pilkey





Tuesday 15 October 2013

 
Who said casual living can't be fun and comfy?
 
 
 
 
From Home theatre to sectionals, our newest styles in fabric or leather are here.
Please drop in for a  test drive . We can create the exact size you need for your room, plus we have a wonderful selection of leathers and fabrics now at special sale prices.

Wednesday 9 October 2013

How to Perfectly Roast a Holiday Turkey



 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
For many people, the most intimidating part of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is, hands down, roasting the turkey. But with these basic tips, you’re all but guaranteed a perfectly browned, crisp-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside turkey. Now that’s something to be grateful for!
Thawing
To make a perfectly roasted turkey, preparations need to start well before the bird enters the oven. The first step is to properly thaw the bird. This isn’t only a food safety issue; safely and fully thawing your bird will promote even cooking, ensuring that every piece of turkey is as succulent as the last.
For best results, immerse the wrapped turkey in cold water for three to four hours or thaw it in the refrigerator inside of a pan. Since weight differs, follow the time chart on the label. Keep in mind that it can take up to four days to completely thaw a large turkey in the refrigerator.
Cleaning
Cleaning does not only involve removing the insides but also rinsing the turkey with water, inside and out, until it runs clear. Pat it dry with paper towels, then place the turkey in a roasting pan that has been misted with cooking spray. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water and discard the paper towels immediately to avoid cross contamination during subsequent steps.
Brining
This step is technically optional, but brining your turkey can truly make the difference between meat that is bland and dry and meat that is sublimely juicy and flavorful. Recipes for brining solutions are readily available online, but the key is to let the turkey soak in a cold, salty bath long enough to soak up moisture and the flavors of any herbs and spices you include in the brine.
Prepping
Preparing a turkey is important for it to roast properly, even if you cook it without stuffing. Slice a stick of refrigerated butter lengthwise into four sections of equal size and slide them under the skin on the breast portion of the turkey. If you are stuffing the turkey, position a piece of bread into the opening before trussing the legs. The slice of bread will keep the stuffing in place.
Cooking
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a large section of aluminum foil with cooking spray and use it to cover the turkey loosely. The label on the packaging will state how long to cook the turkey given the size, but the general rule of thumb is about 25 minutes per pound. About 30 minutes before the turkey is done cooking, remove the aluminum foil and finish roasting the turkey uncovered. This will ensure that the skin turns nice and brown without burning.
Basting is not necessary since the butter under the skin will do the job for you. In fact, basting can actually turn the skin soggy.
Do not rely on timing alone; use a meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing the turkey from the oven. After removing the turkey, let it stand for at least 20 minutes before carving it. Not only will it be easier to handle, but it will also retain moisture that way, one of the most important goals when perfectly roasting a Thanksgiving turkey.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

 

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Wilson Furniture Turns 79. We're not getting older......




Yes, the Sherman Family were off their Rockers.
L-R That's Darryl (with hair),Helen,Bob and Jory
This weekend, we celebrate  our 79th Year in Business. 3 Generations, same location and thousands of satisfied customers This photo from the archives was taken in 1985 as we were preparing  to close and demolish our old store to make way for our new showroom (opened in September 1987).
Please join us over the weekend (September 19-22nd)  for birthday cake and special deals.
PS First 10 people each day get $50 to spend on anything in the store (over $100), plus pop a baloon and save an extra 5%-79%.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Why we feature Canadian made furniture.

Why we feature Canadian made furniture
Yes, we  proudly feature Canadian made furniture. Solid wood dining tables and chairs. Mattresses. Sofas, sofabeds , sectionals, recliners in leather and fabric. Brand names like Palliser, Decorest, Simmons,  Kingsdown and many more. 

Yes Canadian made costs more than imports, but  our customers  tell us its actually less expensive, as they enjoy their furniture for longer. They also like the flexibility of changing fabrics, colours, and customizing their wood furniture.
We also feature many  quality collections made in the US. which also allows for  customization.

As the lead  buyer for Wilson's I realize that some products are not easily available locally. Many of  our unique occasional tables, accents chests, curio cabinets, are imported from around the world. We "handpick" every item you see in our 2 stores.
When shopping for furniture, feel free to ask about where our furniture comes from, and why we selected it as our best value for you!
Darryl Sherman

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Push Button Power Recliners Gaining Popularity

What used to be considered a gimmick or a 'toy' , push button recliners are coming into their own , and for good reasons.

When it comes to finding personal comfort, these power recliners alllow for infinite positions.
The new motors are quieter, faster, and many new models have small buttons tucked away.
Power reclining options are now found in sofas, loveseats, sectionals as well as chairs in all styles.
Check out our extensive selection  on display at our 2 Downtown Oshawa stores.
.

 

Friday 21 June 2013

Happy Canada Day! Celebrate with a new Canadian made sofa!

Celebrate Canada......choose a Canadian made Sofa!
Our newest runway collection (see above) from Palliser is a fresh new design, with premium fabric selection, pocket coil seating, and much more. Discover comfort and style now at Wilson's as we feature all our Canadian made sofas, sectionals, loveseats and chairs at special savings!

Tuesday 30 April 2013

New Vitual Tour of Wilson Furniture and The Leather Store

Finally...its here. Our new virtual tour showing our newest arrivals and classic favorites. Over 25,000 square feet of furniture and accessories. Take a peek, then drop in and see for yourself.

http://www.gotyoulooking.com/1wilfurn/_auto/flash/mht_1wilfurn.html

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Create your own Sectional, and Save!

Let us help you create the perfect sectional for your room. The key is comfort. We can help you design the size and fabric, or leather that's perfect for you. Extra savings through Sunday on all sectionals.

Saturday 19 January 2013

Floor model Mattress sale

There is nothing more important than a great night's sleep.Right now you can get the best...for alot less, as we clearout our 2012 floor samples.

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Old with the old....

Wilson Furniture's January Clearance is on  Now!
Save on Floor models and discontinued style as we make room for our new 2013 style arrivals.
Plus you can also save on custom orders, for a limited time!

PS Sale also  on at our Richmond St Leather Store and La-z-boy kidz gallery