The employees of this venerable establishment will undoubtedly be offended if their shops were referred to a clothing stores. This would lump them together with retailers such as Mr Price, Jet or Ackermans. Instead they should be referred to as outfitters which more befits their role and image in establishment circles in Port Elizabeth.
This is a succinct history of this 150-year-old establishment which still has ties back to its founder, Mr Trenley Birch.
Main picture: Mr Trenley Birch, founder of T. Birch & Co