RESTORATION OF 96-YEAR-OLD SKELTON BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN CHILLIWACK IS COMPLETE

RESTORATION OF 96-YEAR-OLD SKELTON BUILDING
IN DOWNTOWN CHILLIWACK IS COMPLETE

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026

Chilliwack, British Columbia – The Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) and the
City of Chilliwack are pleased to announce restoration is now complete on the 96-year-old
Skelton Building, a building with a rich history in downtown Chilliwack.
In August 1926, Robert G. Skelton and his son Clifford purchased a wood-frame building on
Wellington Avenue near Five Corners and opened a men’s clothing business called R.G. Skelton
& Son Men’s Wear. Sadly, on March 15, 1930, a major fire on the north side of Wellington Avenue,
between Young Road and Mill Street, wiped out six wood-frame buildings and multiple
businesses, including R.G. Skelton & Son Men’s Wear.
After the fire, Robert Skelton announced that he would construct a new building which could
withstand a similar fire, and in less than four months, it was completed. On Saturday, June 28,
1930, R.G. Skelton & Son Men’s Wear opened its doors once again for business. The Skelton
Building featured a deeply recessed entrance, which allowed for extensive window displays.
Touches of the Art Deco design style were incorporated, with the name Skelton’s inlaid among
the floor tiling close to the Wellington Avenue sidewalk. At the top of the building’s facade, the
words “SKELTON BLDG 1930” were set in concrete.
In 1961, two long-time Chilliwack residents, Gordon Wiltshire and Raymond Nelson, purchased
the business, and in 1966, they also bought the Skelton Building and soon announced a name
change to Gord-Ray Men’s Wear. Over the following years, Gord-Ray Men’s Wear expanded into
buildings on either side of the Skelton Building.
As the years progressed, these high-profile buildings on Wellington Avenue fell into disrepair, and
in 2021, CEPCO purchased them as a continuation of the revitalization efforts underway in
downtown Chilliwack. This important restoration project has been supported by Station One
Architects and Gerry Enns Contracting, along with many other trades professionals.
“The revitalization of downtown Chilliwack has long been a Council priority, and it has been great
to see that dream take form over the last few years,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “Thank you to
CEPCO for making this shared vision come to life, and for preserving the classic beauty of the
Skelton Building.”
“Over the past 5 years, CEPCO has made painstaking efforts to preserve many of the historic
features of the Skelton Building,” said Brian Coombes, CEPCO President. “Original features have
been saved, such as a large skylight, exterior leaded glass, an exposed timber ceiling, and, of
course, the inlaid Skelton’s floor tile.”
The new Skelton Alley will help increase economic benefits for businesses in the downtown core
by increasing pedestrian connectivity between District 1881 and the shops on Wellington Avenue
and Mill Street.
A men’s wear store operated in the same location on Wellington Avenue for 95 years creating
many shopping memories for people over that time. The beautifully restored Skelton Building is
now the home of Amato Trattoria, a place designed to create many more wonderful memories as
the building approaches a century in downtown Chilliwack.
“We believe our newest restaurant will be a positive addition to the revitalization efforts currently
underway downtown,” stated Raffaele Aiello, President of Tiara Food & Beverage Concepts, and
Proprietor of Amato Trattoria. “We are excited to bring the timeless traditions of seasonal Italy to
Chilliwack when Amato Trattoria opens to the public this month.”

For media information, contact:
Brian Coombes
President, CEPCO
604-792-7839
coombes@chilliwackpartners.com