1948-1955::The Christmas Tie Exchange Bar in Victoria, British Columbia

Helping men sort out their ugly Christmas ties for nearly a decade.

"1950::The 3rd Annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar at 755 Yates Street in Victoria, British Columbia"

Photo Clip: Times Colonist (1955) Victoria, British Columbia

In 1948, Fletcher's Men's Shop at 755 Yates Street in Victoria held its first annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar. Here, a man could bring in the questionable tie he received as a Christmas gift and discreetly exchange it for one a little more suitable to his taste... without anyone knowing that the transaction had ever taken place. Whether the ugly tie was a gift from Aunt Erma, whether it was green with golden horseshoes, or whether it was from Honolulu or Kalamazoo, it didn't matter as long as it was new!

"1955::8th Annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar"

Clip: Times Colonist (1955)

Victoria, British Columbia

For nearly a decade, Fletcher's Annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar on Yates Street helped sort out the city's unfortunate Christmas ties and put smiles back on the faces of their owners... and no one needed to know.