Dobson’s is the longest successful running family-owned business in Duncan, starting out as Dobson’s Paint in late 1898 by William Dobson.

William Dobson arrived in Duncan from Lancashire, England in 1898, following his brother Christopher who was already the proprietor of a wheelwright shop at the corner of Craig and Station Streets.

In 1903 Dobson’s Paint became a limited company with William working in the valley as a sign painter, and a paint contractor out of his home.

In the early days William would put his equipment onto a wheelbarrow and wheel it over to the work site, renting a horse and buggy if it was further away. He would then set up a tent and stay until the job was done.

In 1930 William moved the business to a stable on Kenneth St. then in the early 1940’s William opened the glass shop. Sadly, in 1948 William passed away and Dobson’s Paint & Glass was taken over by William’s Sons George Dobson and Jack Dobson. George Dobson bought out his Brother Jack 10 years later. George ran Dobson’s as a successful paint and glass shop alongside his two Sons Bob and Rick and his Daughter Dee.

In the early 1980’s Rick Dobson started running Dobson’s Paint & Glass and eventually buying out his Brother Bob and Sister Dee after George passed away in 2000. Rick continued running Dobson’s Paint & Glass until 2009. He then chose to retire and split the glass and paint sides of the business. Rick sadly passed away in late 2009. 

Ralph Pritchett grew up living across the street from Dobson’s Paint & Glass (where the CVRD building is now). He was hired by George Dobson as a clean-up kid in 1976 when he was 16 years old.

Ralph Pritchett and Rick Dobson worked alongside each other for 33 years, Ralph moving up from clean-up kid, to Glazier, to managing the business. In 2009 Rick and Ralph split up the business with Ralph purchasing the Glass side and renaming it Dobson’s Glass Ltd.

Ralph continues the Dobson's legacy alongside his 4 children: his son Lucas and three daughters Stacie, Jillian and Tori, along with their 5 other staff members, Justin, Mike, Marc, Steve, and Kaylen. 

meet the staff:

Steve, Mike, Lucas, Justin, Marc

Tori, Stacie, Jill

William Dobson 1877 - 1948

Rick Dobson 1952 - 2009

George Dobson 1916 - 2000

 Ralph's kids: Stacie Eastman, Tori Hegglund, Lucas Pritchett, Jillian Broda