Historic Skelton building to welcome new Italian restaurant in downtown Chilliwack

Published 4:01 pm Wednesday, March 11, 2026

A painstaking restoration of the historic Skelton Building on Wellington is now complete ahead of this month’s opening of the new Amato Trattoria restaurant.

Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) announced it had completed work on the 96-year-old Skelton Building, a storied building in the downtown core.

When the original R.G. Skelton & Son’s Men’s Wear building on Wellington burned down in a fire they rebuilt a new structure, The Skelton Building, with a deeply recessed entrance and art deco flourishes.

The name was inlaid in the floor tiling with the words Skelton Building 1930 set in concrete, and it became the home of Gord-Ray Men’s Wear when Gordon Wiltshire and Raymond Nelson bought the building, and the business.

Fast forward to 2026 and many of the original features that made the building stand out were able to be conserved.

“Over the past five years, CEPCO has made painstaking efforts to preserve many of the historic features of the Skelton Building,” said Brian Coombes, CEPCO president.

They kept a large skylight, exterior leaded glass, an exposed timber ceiling, and the inlaid floor that said Skelton’s.

The newly named Skelton Alley will help boost traffic and benefits for businesses in the downtown core by increasing pedestrian connectivity between District 1881 and the shops on Wellington Avenue and Mill Street.

Store selling men’s wear operated there for almost 100 years.

The beautifully restored Skelton building is now the home of an Italian restaurant that is preparing to open.

“We believe our newest restaurant will be a positive addition to the revitalization efforts currently underway downtown,” stated Raffaele Aiello, owner of Amato Trattoria.

“We are excited to bring the timeless traditions of seasonal Italy to Chilliwack when Amato Trattoria opens to the public this month.”