After 35 years of running International Sports Shop William Minors could probably do the job in his sleep, but the veteran sportsman and Hamilton retailer said he prefers a "hands on" policy.

In celebrating 35 years in business, Mr. Minors said: "It has been 35 years, but it does not seem like it. How time flies."

The shop first started out a few doors from its present location but Mr. Minors said the store has always been on Bermudiana Road and the shop has always had the same landlord.

Back in the mid-1960s Mr. Minors was a keen cricketer, playing with the Bermuda Wanderers.

While on tour in Canada in 1966, he said several team members - Mr. Minors, Calvin Symonds, Dennis Wainwright, Eldon Raynor and the late Charles Daulphin - were talking and hatched the idea to start the sports shop.

Mr. Minors said running the shop was a natural fit for him as he had always liked retail and he had a long history in cricket and soccer.

He claimed cricket was the impetus for opening the store, but later the shop began to cater to soccer. Eventually, it expanded to carry equipment for tennis, golf, darts, American football, volleyball, squash, martial arts, field hockey, basketball, softball, badminton, rugby, netball, archery, skateboarding, rollerblading and skating.

Mr. Minors said another earner for the shop is bringing in gym uniforms for nine Island schools. And he said his clientele is largely local but the store also deals with a number of the hotel properties.

He added that previous to opening the store he had ordered items for the cricket team.

Mr. Minors said he is the majority shareholder of International Sports Shop and that Mr. Symonds, Mr. Wainwright and Mr. Raynor are all directors of the limited liability company.

Looking forward, Mr. Minors said he has always been "hands on" in the running of the business and he intends to continue that way.

"I still have my health," he said, and added that he always knows what is going on in the shop, down to the goods that have been ordered.

When asked what he attributes his success to, Mr. Minors said: "You have to give it all your attention - it has to be your top priority."

Mr. Minors said he is in the store six days a week. And when he goes abroad, he said it is often for business. Mr. Minors also praised his small, but "loyal" staff.

Speaking of retail, he said that one has to be conscious of costs and "keep an eye on expenses", especially when there is a downturn in business.

Mr. Minors added that he has always been conservative in stocking the store. He also said he has been careful to not have too many staff while having enough people to maintain good customer service.