Thomson’s Suits has been part of the Hastings story since 1957, although its roots in menswear go back even further. Founder Mick Thomson began his career in the clothing trade in the late 1920s, building a reputation for quality menswear and personal service. In 1957, with encouragement to “go west young man”, Mick took a chance on a small shop in Heretaunga Street West and opened Thomson’s Suits Limited. The original store was less than a quarter of its present size, but a remarkable opening day and the loyalty of local customers provided the foundations for the business to grow.

The Thomson tradition continued when Mick’s son Michael joined the store in the 1960s, followed by grandson Angus in 1998, creating three generations of the Thomson family in the business. Over the decades the shop expanded into neighbouring premises, while generations of highly regarded menswear staff helped establish Thomson’s Suits as a Hawke’s Bay institution. Today Angus continues the family tradition alongside Leighton McKay, Murray Pryce and Steve McCarty, with Rebecca Wilson managing the administration, while Michael still helps out as where he started as the 'Delivery Boy'.

More than six decades later, Thomson’s Suits remains proudly independent, proudly Hastings and proudly family-owned. Its reputation for quality menswear, genuine knowledge and exceptional personal service has spread far beyond Hawke’s Bay, with loyal customers throughout New Zealand. While fashions and retail have changed enormously since Mick first opened the doors in 1957, the philosophy remains much the same — look after your customers, offer quality clothing and great value, and make every gentleman leave looking and feeling his best.