Locally-Based Retailers Who Have Stood the Test of Time by ellis choe
( Above ) Margittes outfits from La Chic ; ( Below ) Carati custom ring sketch and final ring
Made in
Locally-Based Retailers Who Have Stood the Test of Time by ellis choe
Calgary
PHOTOGRAPHS : ( TOP TO BOTTOM ) COURTESY LA CHIC ; COURTESY CARATI
Calgary is a city of entrepreneurship and industriousness . For some , it ’ s difficult to see the silver lining around the dark clouds of low oil prices , the loss of jobs , and continual news of a shrinking economy . But for some Calgary business owners , this too shall pass . They have seen their fair share of boom and bust cycles in this town and have weathered them all . In fact , the luxury women ’ s wear retailer La Chic is entering its 41st year in business , Carati has been adorning Calgarians with custom jewellery for 38 years , and Supreme Men ’ s Wear has been a sartorial destination for 44 years .
Alongside the tried and true , the sluggish economy also reveals that Calgary ’ s trademark entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking . Business owners have braved the storm that has caught them unaware by bringing in brands from across the ocean and border . Neal ’ s Yard Remedies in the trendy 4th Street district and Southcentre Mall are the first and only locations in North America . Oska , a popular European brand , made its Canadian debut in downtown Calgary . And American fashion retail giant Nordstrom opened its first Canadian location in Calgary ’ s Chinook Centre . So forget the silver lining — it ’ s gold .
Carati
As soon as a 3D printer was made available for jewellery application , Justin Ng snatched up the first one in Canada .
“ I know it may sound arrogant , but I ’ m pretty sure we ’ re ahead and unique in that sense ,” says Justin , the peppy and cheerful owner of the luxury jewellery stores Carati and Gem by Carati . They ’ re also unique in that they are one of the rare gems in the city that have specialized in custom-designed-and-made jewellery for 38 years . Originally established by his uncle Henry Ng , Henry ’ s Jewellers was situated in the historic Lancaster building in 1979 . Justin Ng ’ s father , Norman , joined the business after abandoning a career in chemical engineering , then eventually took it over in 1994 .
In 2003 , the Ngs opened Carati in Bankers Hall followed by Gem by Carati in 2011 at Scotia Centre and closed Henry ’ s last year . Even though foot traffic has dropped 40 per cent due to the sour economy , Justin remains optimistic .
“ We opened our last two stores on the backs of economic downturns ,” says Justin . “ There ’ s always opportunity . It doesn ’ t feel great out there but I ’ m still confident in the city and us and that we ’ ll be fine .”
Justin contributes the stores ’ success to years of hard work , adaptability , and their “ amazing loyal clientele .”
“ There is no secret to success ,” says Norman Ng who immigrated to Calgary from Hong Kong
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