Visit Our Boutique in Beautiful Downtown Brockville 

The Lady Behind the Legacy.

Pauline Marshall found her calling in corsetry and lingerie after moving to Brockville from the Maritimes in the 1950s. She began her legendary career at Walker's department store, where she remained the lead in the intimates department until shortly after Walker’s became Marks & Spencer in 1974.

Pauline trained in corsetry with Dominion Corset Company of Canada (1964), the Formfit School of Modern Corsetry (1964) and Warner’s-Parisian. After her retirement, she decided she would open her shop, knowing her clients would follow her.

The original store was Pauline’s Corset Salon, and she opened in a 400 square foot space that she soon outgrew. She outgrew her second location and moved to a larger storefront on King Street within a year, eventually purchasing the building where Pauline’s Lingerie still resides today.

Pauline was a trend-setter, well ahead of her time. She started her business when women were not leaders in the business community, and her legacy continues, a testament to the incredible knowledge and skills she had. She worked hard to ensure the needs and wants of her clients were met and always maintained the highest respect for them. She was adept at what she did, right through the later years of her career, all the while remaining involved and present at Pauline’s through her 100th year. Just ahead of her 100th birthday and in the 40th anniversary year of the store, she attended her last Profile buyers Show, where they honoured her for both 40 years in business and her 100th birthday coming up. She decided later that year that she would take the winter off; it was time to take it easy. 

While we have all considered her remarkable, and many fondly refer to her as quite legendary, she never deemed herself any of those things; she did not think she had done anything spectacular at all.  Putting all the accolades and awards aside, she was only doing what she was good at and truly loved.

Pauline shared her vast knowledge, skills, and love of this business with her granddaughter Cathy Maggio-Howley. Cathy now continues her legacy with the same passion as Pauline. There is nothing I would rather be doing, and I had the great fortune to have spent a good portion of my career with my grandmother. I have the same passion and love for Pauline's as she did. Pauline's Lingerie still offers the exceptional range of products combined with proficiency in fitting and client care that Pauline herself offered. Come see us today, and share your favourite memory!