Big W Tweed City: Celebrates 25 years in the community

Three founding staff members at Big W Tweed City say they are shocked how many men do not know their underwear size as they celebrate the store’s quarter century. Watch the video.

From drunk customers to men not knowing their underwear size, Big W Tweed City staff members have reminisced about some funny moments as they reflect on the store’s 25 years in business.

The store’s paint section, hardware, photo lab, Santa photos and cigarette counter are no longer as the business continues to evolve in the ever-changing retail space.

Longtime Big W customer service worker Rachael remembers the initial rush of customers coming through the door on opening day in 1997.

“It was amazing, I’d never experienced anything like it before, they had to see what was new – they were so excited” she said.

“You meet a lot of people, people come and go, and you make some good friends being here for so long.”

Customer service worker Jill revealed one of the funniest things they had to do for men during her time

“We had to check a lot of the men’s underwear sizes as they didn’t know the size of their underwear,” she said with a chuckle.

Founding opening day team members at Big W Tweed City Nicole, Rachael and Jill celebrate 25 years since the store’s opening in 1997.

Rachael revealed a gentleman once turned up drinking alcohol at the front of the store like it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Nobody knows how long he’d been in the store, but he was having a good time, and we just served him and let him leave,” she said.

“I also used to work in returns; I had a lady walk in one Christmas and slap down a set of Christmas lights on the counter, demanding her money back very strongly, and it turned out the lights weren’t even from us.”

The colleagues hoped that Big W Tweed City would continue to serve its customers as well as it could and they would still be open in another 25 years time

Rachael said the company had been easy to work for and with over her tenure at the store.

Merchandise manager Jess said everything at the Tweed store ran smoothly, and it was enjoyable going to work.

Departments may have changed at Big W Tweed City, but the store prides itself on being a "big family".

“Everyone is a big family here, we are so close.”

The three workers had some sage advice for longevity in retail.

“To relax and not take anything customers say to heart, it’s all part of the fun.”