Charlie Onn Company

One of the most recognized business names connected to the family was the Charlie Onn Company.

Located on Station Street, the store became a long-standing part of downtown Duncan and was known for
clothing, tailoring, shoes, and retail goods.

Over time, the business evolved and expanded. Archival material references:

• Charlie Onn Company • Thom’s Ladies Wear • Charlie Onn Men’s Wear & Shoes

These businesses became familiar fixtures in downtown Duncan and reflected the transition from early
immigrant survival businesses into established multi-generational retail operations.

The Thom family’s businesses served not only the Chinese community but the broader public, helping
shape downtown commercial life.

​

Gilbert Thom & Community Leadership

One of the most significant aspects of the family story involves Gilbert Thom.

Archival references describe his role assisting members of the Chinese community with translation and
navigating legal and government systems during a period when language barriers created major obstacles.

Individuals who could bridge communication between the Chinese community and local institutions
became essential advocates and trusted leaders.

This role reflected more than business success — it reflected responsibility, respect, and community trust.

The family’s involvement demonstrates how Chinatown businesses often became informal support systems
for newly arrived immigrants and community members navigating life in Canada.

​

Life in Chinatown

 

Like many families of the era, business and home life were closely connected.

Families worked long hours together. Children helped after school. Businesses often operated six or seven
days a week.

​

Chinatown itself functioned as both a commercial district and social community. Families shared resources,
supported one another, and gathered through cultural organizations and social spaces.

The Thom family formed part of this larger network that helped Chinatown thrive.

​

Change & Redevelopment

By the late 1960s, redevelopment dramatically reshaped downtown Duncan.

Buildings associated with Chinatown were demolished as part of modernization projects that changed the
physical landscape of the downtown core.

Although the neighbourhood itself disappeared, the families and businesses connected to Chinatown
continued contributing to the community.

The Thom family story reflects both the growth of Chinatown and the lasting impact left behind after its
disappearance.

​

Legacy

Today, the Thom family story represents:

• Entrepreneurship • Community leadership • Resilience during exclusion-era policies • Multi-generational
contribution to downtown Duncan

Their businesses, advocacy, and presence remain an important part of Duncan’s history.