Mountainchic
FASHION FLOURISHES IN CANMORE AS RETAILERS EVOLVE
Once commonly known for lodging skiers and sightseeing tourists, nowadays, it seems as though people are making Canmore a destination shopping excursion.
Imagine if you could find exactly what you were looking for — or even better — something unique that you just couldn’t resist. With friendly service, accessibility and the view of a lifetime — wouldn’t you rather spend a few hours shopping with family or friends in a charming mountain community that’s less than an hour away?
These four prosperous locally owned establishments share their insight on the transformation and flourishing evolution of fashion retail on Main Street in Canmore.
Indigo Bay, Clair Duff’s very hip boutique (woman’s clothing, footwear and accessories), has been in business for 13 years — moving loca-
tions twice due to expansion. “When we first opened, people were not wearing anything too fussy here and we were constantly questioned. ‘Who was going to wear these fashions?’ And yet, each year, our numbers have always gone up — consecutively — never a lull,” says Duff. “I knew there were the people in Canmore or visiting here to wear these clothes.
“Canmore fashion has changed a lot,” she continues. “Today, we can sell brands that even stores in Calgary are having a hard time selling.” Brands like Free People, Velvet, Frye, J Brand, Splendid, Dex and Ted Baker.
Duff explains that her concept has always been about having fun getting dressed. “Not to follow rules and what fashion dictates but rather to be able to mix and match brands, lines — even seasons that all ages can wear and interpret in their own way,” she says.
Also in its 13th year of business is Glacier’s Edge, a
children’s wear store. “When I first moved to Canmore, I couldn’t find any clothes for my kids,” says owner and operator Karen Beringer. “Parents have moved on from just the basic necessities to more stylish apparel for active kids. The mountain lifestyle has influenced fashion. They want their children to look just as good or better than they do.”
Glacier’s Edge is known for its wide range of sizes and prices. They carry everything from infant to size 16 for both genders, including clothing and footwear. Her designer lines include Blu, Deux Par Deux, North Face, Columbia, Merrell, Sorel and Pediped just to name a few.
Today with online and big-box shopping, the average consumer has a preconceived notion that buying from small independent merchants comes with a premium but that’s not the case. Beringer says, “Our prices aren’t higher than anyone else’s and our customers are pleas-
antly surprised when they see that they’re not.”
Unlimited Skate and Snow in Canmore originated more than three years ago. Its owner Dave Carlson has a passion for the town and its families. With one store already in Banff since 1995, he decided to expand in Canmore because there was nothing like it.
“Our Canmore store is more mature and family orientated. We consider this when we buy our product,” says Ryan Belder, menswear buyer and manager. “I’d like to think that we had something to do with the progression of men’s fashion in Canmore. We have choices now that we never used to.”
Unlimited carries some of the most innovative men’s lines; Naked and Famous, Lifetime, WeSC, Vans, and Altamont. Their clientele appreciate the unlikely combination of buying these contemporary labels in such a “chill” atmosphere.
“It’s just not so
hectic,” says Belder. “Totally different environment than you’d experience at a store in the city.” A chic shoe store might be the unexpected gem on Main Street. In the past, if you wanted to find Birkenstocks or hiking boots in Canmore there were many choices. “At the time Gingerella came to fruition (seven years ago), there was a definite need for a fashion shoe store,” says Gayl Cryer (a.k.a. Ginger), owner of Gingerella, which focuses on ladies shoes and handbags. “People are amazed when they come upon this whimsical shoe store in a small town in the mountains and are always surprised and impressed with the personal service and “one-of-a-kind” styles.”
Claire Duff from Indigo Bay concludes by saying that her customers in Canmore can be best described in three words; “fashionable, comfortable and individual.”
Coincidently, this best describes a few hours of people watching on Main Street.