Frank Edward Riley was a draper, selling clothes either off the peg or as an agent for made to measure. For some time he also sold gramophones and gramophone records - probably from 1910 until the 1930s.

His son, Frank Henry Riley, joined the management of the business on his marriage in 1947 and they added floor coverings (lino, mats, carpets, etc) to their range.

Frank Riley senior continued working in the shop until after his 90th birthday.