Let’s head back to a January 1964 edition of the Optimist when the paper ran a “Know Your Friendly Neighborhood Ladner Merchant” special section.
Then mayor (known as reeves back then) Clarence Taylor was one of the merchants featured.
He owned the Taylor-Riddell Ltd. electrical store at 4862 Delta Street.
It was started by Taylor and Steve Riddell in 1946, offering round-the-clock service for radio, TV and electric appliances.
Riddell left the business in 1956 and Scotty Leach became a partner and shareholder.
In 1960, Leach became manager of the store when Taylor’s duties as mayor drew him away from running the business.
It was the only store in Ladner at the time which offered its customers recognized credit card service.
“The Down Town Credit Card Service is comparable with any large credit card service in the city. The credit card can be used at many stores in Vancouver as well as at Taylor-Riddell’s. Each customer receives a booklet with the stores listed where he can make purchases,” the article stated.
Born in Delta and educated at Westham Island School and the old King George High School, Taylor at the time was starting his third term as mayor.
