About Us
Cowan Office Supplies Ltd. is a 2nd generation family owned and operated business established in 1972 by Gordon and Jill Cowan. It is now carried on by Andy and Paul Cowan. Prior to being purchased by the Cowan’s it was owned by former Nelson mayor Tex Mowatt and known as J.T. Mowat and Son. It was located at 110 Baker Street and occupied half of the building.
In 1976 Gordon moved the business to it’s current location at 517 Victoria Street which he purchased from John Thom when it was previously operated as Jonella Cleaners. Gordon hired well known architect Eric Clough who completely redesigned the building to house the growing operation.
Our business has changed and kept with developing trends over the 45 years we have been in the office products industry. In the 70’s and early 80’s we employed a team of machine repair technicians for servicing typewriters and mechanical machines. When these started to decline used furniture became popular in the 90’s and our building was further renovated to accommodate this new opportunity. When this market began to decline in the 2000’s, Cowan’s tapped into the growing art supplies market where we now have the biggest selection of art supplies in the Kootenays. In short we are an adaptable growing business willing to do whatever we can to help and service the community we live in and love.
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