SHOPPING
Retail Spotlight
In the early 1900s , a young man named J . Vair Anderson finished his watchmaking training in Montreal before heading west in search of work . He decided to make a quick stop to visit his brother in Calgary before moving on to the coast . Little did he know at the time that the city would become his home , and he would start a business that would flourish for nine decades and be passed down through three generations .
In Calgary , J . Vair Anderson was introduced to jeweler D . E . Black , who convinced him to stick around and work for him . In 1925 , he decided to strike out on his own with J . Vair Anderson Jewellers ( page 50 ). After 92 years , and a few location changes , the company is still serving customers in the downtown core .
The founder ’ s grandson , Ken Anderson , has spent 45 years with the business . Anderson worked with both his father and grandfather before the business was passed down to him , and many of the store ’ s customers have stayed loyal through generations .
" My customers are more my friends than customers . You get to know their family ."
J . VAIR ANDERSON
“ My customers are more my friends than customers ,” Anderson says . “ You get to know their family . They ’ re getting married and suddenly it ’ s their 25th wedding anniversary . And then their kids are graduating .”
Anderson says that despite the challenges facing retail businesses with the recession and rise of online shopping , service keeps bringing people back .
“ A young couple will come in and say , ‘ My grandpa got his ring from your dad .’ It ’ s a wonderful feeling when they are that loyal because people can shop anywhere . They can shop online or anywhere in the city .”
Anderson says his vision for J . Vair Anderson Jewellers is to continue far into the future , “ I ’ d love to be a Calgary-based family business for 100 years .”
— Silvia Pikal
PHOTOGRAPH : COURTESY J . VAIR ANDERSON JEWELLERS
The following listings include shopping areas , malls , department stores , and independent shops that the editors judge worthy of your attention , including advertisers in Where Calgary . The map coordinates at the end of each listing ( E4 , E8 etc .) refer to the city maps on pages 59 to 60 . If you have an observation regarding any of our listings , please email editor _ calgary @ where . ca .
ADVERTISER
FOR FULL LISTINGS , PLEASE VISIT where . ca / calgary
ACCESSORIES ADORN BOUTIQUE Carrying clothing lines such as Nougat , Darling and Henri & Belle , Adorn is feminine but not frilly . The boutique also stocks a range of handbags , jewellery and Lollia bath products . 1216A - 9 Ave SE , 403-261-9919 . Map 1 , H7 www . adornboutique . ca
CHAPEL HATS This chapeau shop specializes in fashionable hats from cloches to berets . They also offer the furry , animalistic SpiritHoods and steampunk-style top hats . Chinook Centre , 6455 Macleod Tr SW , 403-252-7560 . Map 1 , J6 www . chapelhats . com
COACH A principal design house from New York that carries women ’ s and men ’ s lifestyle collections , as well as modern luxury accessories . Products include bags , outerwear , footwear , jewellery , fragrance , small leather goods and travel accessories . Chinook Centre , 6455
Macleod Tr SW , 403-252-5005 . www . coach . com
INGEAR STORE Unique and upscale jewellery , handbags , furniture , fashion and travel accessories . Over 50 artists represented from around the world . Map 1 , G5 www . ingearstore . com
LIVERY SHOP , THE Located in an old heritage building , The Livery Shop sells cozy upscale clothing , accessories , and home décor items from local and national makers . 1130 - 10 Ave SE , 403-453-7711 . Map 1 , H7 www . theliveryshop . com
KRICKET ’ S This tiny boutique specializes in unique , hard to find greeting cards , photo albums , jewellery and handbags . 2306 - 4 St SW , 403-244-9330 . Map 1 , H5
BOOKS & MAGAZINES AQUILA BOOKS Beautiful bookstore with hardwood floors and shelves holding historic first editions , antique maps , prints , photos , letters and postcards , as well as vintage scientific instruments and bookcases . Specializes in books on polar exploration , Western Canadiana , mountaineering , the Canadian Pacific Railway and early voyages . 826 - 16 Ave NW , 403-282-5832 . Map 1 , G5 www . aquilabooks . com
CHAPTERS / INDIGO / COLES Browse books , sip a latte
TIP at Starbucks , or visit the newsstand with newspapers and magazines from all over the world . Canada ’ s largest chain of books and lifestyle products . Chinook Centre , 6455 Macleod Tr SW , 403-212-0090 . Map 1 , L6 9631 Macleod Tr S , 403-212-1442 . Map 1 , K5 66 Crowfoot Terr NW , 403-208-8490 . Map 1 , D2 212 , 16061 Macleod Tr SE , 403-201-5660 . Map 1 , N6 CrossIron Mills , 261055 CrossIron Blvd , 403-226-2837 . Map 1 , A8 4916 - 130 Ave SE , 403-257-5438 . Map 1 , M8 TD Square , 317 - 1 Ave SW , 403-263-1333 . Map 2 , F4 North Hill Shopping Centre , 1632 - 14 Ave NW , 403-282-5668 . Map 1 , G5 2555 - 32 St NE , 403-250-9171 . Map 1 , F8 Market Mall , 3625 Shaganappi Tr NW , 403-288-1611 . Map 1 , F3 Marlborough Mall , 1425 - 3800 Memorial Dr NE , 403-246-2221 . Map 1 , G8 5570 Signal Hill Centre , 403-246-2221 . Map 1 , I3 5005 Dalhousie Dr NW , 403-202-4600 . Map 1 , E3 www . chapters . indigo . ca
FAIR ’ S FAIR Family owned and operated bookstores with shelves upon shelves of used merchandise . The selection is extensive , but easily accessible with the help of Fair ’ s friendly staff and their searchable database . 907 - 9 Ave SE , 403-237-8156 . Map 1 , H6 1829 Ranchlands Blvd NW , 403-241-2926 . Map 1 , D2 1609 - 14 St SW , 403-245-2778 . www . fairsfair . com
THE OWL ’ S NEST BOOKS & GIFTS This independent neighbourhood bookshop specializes in quality literature .
A new beauty brand just launched in Calgary . Velvette Organics ' hair oil is a blend of five organic oils that enrich hair with nutrition and deep moisture . The online-only store offers free shipping in Canada and U . S . velvetteorganics . com
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