The Franchise history
History of Wesley's

AUTHORISED STOCKISTS
of Wesley’s Houseblend Tobaccos

Latest update April 21, 2023

In 1905 John Tennison Burrows founded his Newsagent & Tobacconist in Durban, and in the 1920's the Wesley family became involved. Late 1971 saw the first major step in the development of the Wesley's Group when Colin Wesley opened a Wesley's Tobacconist in the brand new Carlton Centre in Johannesburg.

A smaller shop opened in the Rosebank Mall in 1977, a prototype for the Wesley's Franchises.

The keynote of the Wesley's shop is cheerful and efficient specialist service, with the Staff being trained to help with all normal enquiries and problems, and especially to offer "we don't know but we'll find out" when necessary. The cornerstone is the excellent range of products covering just about everything a smoker could need, including a wide variety of cigars sold singly from the Humidor, a complete cross-section of Houseblend tobaccos, and prices to suit every pocket.

There is not always time in a busy little shop to tell the smoker all he would like to know about Cigars, Tobaccos, and how to get the most from his pipe. Wesley's shops offer a series of free leaflets for the smoker: "Cigars - Smoking for Pleasure", "The Perfect Tobacco Blend", "The Complete Pipe Smoker", and for those interested in the development and a brief history of smoking, the "Smoker's Handbook". You'll also find them, as well as many archived 'Across the Counter' articles, in the Library.
Wesley's maintains a Mailing List / Database, and sends an occasional Newsletter of hints and products, and some special offers. And there is a sweepstake draw in each shop for a free pipe, or travel case for cigars, every two months (provided there are enough entries).
The same draw is also available to you if you sign on to the Guest Book (and Sweepstakes Entry) on this website.

The Wesley's Franchises: These may be either a complete shop - a "Wesley's", or an area in an existing shop - a "Pipe & Tobacco Bar"' especially suited to smaller centres.
All franchises offer, or have access to, the same products and services - but each has its own additional specialities reflecting the interests of the owner and the needs of his area. Each shop offers a range of gifts especially for men, and a warm friendly atmosphere with the mellow aroma of Houseblend Tobaccos and fine Cigars.

The Wesley's Franchise

Retiring early, but you don't want to vegetate?
Like meeting new people?
Prefer to run your own business?
Build an asset that's saleable?
Think about ……………….

A Wesley's shop.

The shop is predominantly a tobacconist strongly geared to customer service. The smoking product range is comprehensive to the smallest item.
(With the consent of Colin Wesley, other ancillary products and services may be added provided they don't detract from the overall image of Wesley's. These would ideally increase profit margins and bring "feet across the door", without involving a large stock investment.)

You'd like to add new sales and profits to your business
Think about ……………….

A Wesley's Shop-within-a-Shop.

This is suitable to complement almost any type of store that can offer 10 to 12 square meters of floor and wall space. It is suitable for both existing and new stores.
For an existing store it will broaden the customer base which could benefit the core business.
For a new store it will attract a specialist type of customer who tends to be loyal.
The area will be designed by Wesley's and be identified by the Wesley’s Logo.

Colin Wesley

The Wesley family has a long association with the tobacco world. Colin Wesley learnt the basics of the small retail business through the family Newsagent & Tobacconist business in Durban (started in 1905). By the late 1960's (after some interruptions for cricket) Colin decided to specialise in the pipe, cigar and tobacco side of the business. In 1971 Wesley's revitalised the flagging retail tobacconist business in Johannesburg with its shop in the brand new Carlton Centre - the first shop in South Africa to have a proper walk-in Cigar Humidor.

Always keen to learn, he and his wife, Gillian, have travelled widely to meet many experts in the tobacco industry, and accumulated a wealth of experience, knowledge, and love of the "game". The resurgence of interest in good cigar smoking has given them the opportunity to learn from, and share their knowledge with, fellow-minded cigar aficionados.

Colin was a complete non-smoker until he became converted to cigars at a "Worshipful Pipemakers and Tobacco Blenders" dinner in the City of London. And he hasn't looked back. Cigars are his favourite pastime, his relaxation and his business.

• Port Elizabeth

Wesley's, Shop No.23 Shoprite Mall, Greenacres.
Phone 078 348 6029
Established 1995.
Owned by Pieter Human.
The only Wesley's that due to a restraint of trade clause isn't allowed to sell cigarettes, the shop has a busy, relaxed atmosphere. Jody and Florence offer personal and friendly service.
The shop carries a wide range of gifts and engraving is done within two hours.

 

Trading hours:
(If you’re making a special trip please phone to confirm these hours)
Monday to Thursday    9am to 5.30pm
Friday                         9am to 6pm
Saturday                     9am to 4pm
Sunday                       10am to 1pm
Public Holidays           10am to 1pm

 

• Johannesburg, Rosebank
Wesley's, Shop No.211 Rosebank Mall.
Phone 011 788 7413/880 1150.
Established 1977.
Owned by Colin Wesley.
This well located compact shop has a buzzing atmosphere and is staffed with several knowledgeable ladies who all strive to help. The shop focuses on pipes, cigars and other tobacconist goods. We also offer a comprehensive range of gifts especially for men, and a good selection of walking sticks. All major credit cards accepted

Trading hours:
(If you’re making a special trip please phone to confirm these hours)

Monday to Thursday      9.00am - 6.00pm 
Friday                             9.00am - 7.00pm 
Saturday                         9.00am - 5.00pm  
Sunday                            9.00am - 5.00pm 
Public Holidays              9.00am - 5.00pm  

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