Thursday, April 23, 2009

[locale: retail store] GumDrops @ Kitsilano

Having moved to Vancouver less than a year ago, my first introduction into the city is over at the funky Kitsilano neighbourhood (fondly called "Kits") which reminds me of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district due to its similar hippie culture feel. In fact the renowned international organisation that agressively aims to help protect and conserve the environment, Greenpeace, was founded right here at Kits in 1971. How about the yoga-inspired athletic clothing company, Lululemon Athletica, being founded here as well back in 1998. And don't forget to drop by The Naam which has been in existence since the 60's - open 24 hours a day and famous for it's vegetarian and vegan dishes. To drive the point home, let's just say that the popular Kits Beach wouldn't have come into existence today without much thanks to it's private citizens who raised money to buy the beach front land back from the Canadian Pacific Railway company. That's Kitsilano to you.

Today Kitsilano is lined with yoga studios, organic markets, cafes as well as filled with modern retail stores with brand names recognized worldwide. But the heart of Kitsilano still beats strong as walking along 4th Avenue you'll find small shops that truly reflects the soul of Vancouver.

One store is called GumDrops which specialises in apparel for the wet weather. Let's just say that for a place famous for it's wet weather and a store that caters to it by offering specialty and stylish items, it was only founded in late 2007 by an Australian, Shanda Jerrett (who was actually born in Victoria, BC but migrated to Australia soon afterward).


GumDrops
is hard to miss among rows and rows of Earth-tone coloured stores. Suddenly there is this aqua pastel hue that jumps right out. For a store that caters to the rain, the interior is bright, cheerful and chic. The various shoe offering are resting against their own glass stand hanging against a bright white wall. The effect is that the hanging gumboots stand out on it's own like falling individual raindrops. Which brings me to the play on the store's name - gumboots and raindrops.


The store caters to anyone who wants a stylish apparel for the rain including men, women, children and pets. And the best part about a store like this - the customer service and support. They are there to ensure satisfaction of the products they sell. They are also there to help with the availability of the products. In fact twice I have placed a specialty order for wellies that had no size and and colour. With those two times they have helped procure the products and even informed me throughout the process of any expectations of product arrival.

I must admit the first time I placed a special order for a pair of Kamik rainboots (a Canadian company founded in Quebec), it took a while and I thought they had forgotten about me. Of course at this point the delay lays on the supplier side. But when the shoes did arrive, I received a follow-up phone telling me they are in the store ready for pick up.

The second time I placed an order were for a pair of Hunter boots. This time the order process was fast. Initially when the boots arrived they were the correct colour and size, but with the incorrect style. That was on a Friday. By next Wednesday, I received another follow-up phone call stating the correct pair has arrived. All throughout the process they were apologetic of the mix-up and even sped up the process of getting the correct pair by sourcing the footwear from another dealer and picking it up themselves. You can obtain a list of Hunter dealers and start calling them one by one for the available size, colour and style that you want (I did and didn't find one single available pair or even greeted with enthusiastic customer service to find one for me). I didn't find any other store that would go the extra length except from GumDrops.

And after having finally received the correct boots, I receive a follow up email from the owner, Shanda, asking if I have finally received the boots and if I am enjoying them. Seriously, try that with another retail store.

Lately, GumDrops has expanded to having an online store - GumDropsOnline - which I am glad will hopefully help garner a larger following and sales. I am confident with the direction of Shanda Jerrett and her original concept that the customer service and support will remain the same as the company grows.

If you're in the area, feel free to drop by their store at:

GumDrops
2029 W 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1N3
Phone: 1-800-418-4637
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday and Holidays 12am-5pm

Thanks to the concept of GumDrops there is nothing depressing about the rain when in Vancouver. As their motto states: "Get Wet in Style!"

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