THOMASVILLE — Warren Stafford will spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family this year — not an unusual thing for most, but unheard of for the Thomasville store owner.

Thanks-giving to Christmas is a crucial time for retail sales. Stafford’s business responsibilities kept him at his 715 Smith Ave. business while most others spent time with family and friends.

Stafford’s is in the early stages of closing upon its owner’s retirement, finally giving him time to spend with his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren. No more six-day work weeks.

The business was founded in June 1945, by Stafford’s father, George W. Stafford Jr., as an army/navy war surplus store after World War II.

To fill his time between customers, the elder Stafford bought an industrial sewing machine and began making and repairing tarpaulins and custom-making other canvas products.

Several years later, a farmer asked Stafford to sew eight-ounce army duck on a pair of bib overalls for hunting apparel. Soon, Stafford was custom-facing canvas blue jeans and regular khaki pants for customers and eventually for stock — becoming a pioneer in the practice.

Stafford said his father believed in making things better, not cheaper. The sewing operation expanded in 1989, from brush pants to launching George Stafford and Sons wholesale line of clothing.

The business’ catalogues were mailed to more than one million in the 1970s and ‘80s in the United states and foreign countries. Stafford’s wife, Beth, was instrumental in designing the catalogues.

The catalogue has not been printed since 2012. The business began to focus on its web store to let customers know what was available and current prices.

Stafford’s has always been a family affair. Stafford’s daughter, Kathy MacQuirter, worked closely with her father in designing the Smith Avenue store.

At its peak, Stafford’s employed 55 in wholesale, retail and manufacturing. Today, the company has eight employees.

Dale Prince, senior manager, has worked at the business for 31 years, longer than any other employee.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my job. (Mr.) Stafford always gives me challenges to keep it fresh and new,” Prince said. “I will be here until he takes my keys away.”

Prince said she is open to any “good opportunity” after she leaves Stafford’s.

Stafford, 74, said he never hired anyone who could do only one job.

“If nobody else could take out the trash, I took out the trash,” he explained.

Stafford recalled plantation visitors who came here to hunt, but had no hunting apparel. They would land at the local airport and go straight to Stafford’s to purchase hunting attire.

The visiting guests’ chosen hunting pants were hemmed in seven to eight minutes, “and they would be on their way,” Stafford recalled.

Closed for preparation of the store’s retirement sale, Stafford’s will reopen Thursday and remain open for 11 and a half weeks, depending on how quickly retail merchandise sells.

Stafford’s property is for sale or lease, including the 28,500-square-foot store and rental units and adjacent land that could accommodate an 8,000-square-foot structure.

Also for sale is the store name, website and mailing list.

Stafford said he has had a long, enjoyable run in the business since joining the enterprise in 1978.

He is proud of being a part of Thomasville.

“We were very fortunate,” he said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.