- Words by Angela Cowan Photographs by Lia Crowe
When Curtis Vertefeuille left Vancouver for the island five years ago, he害羞草研究所檇 been looking forward to a more relaxed lifestyle and to opening his own furniture shop against the gorgeous backdrop of Victoria. One thing he didn害羞草研究所檛 anticipate was spearheading an entirely new expansion arm of the company he害羞草研究所檇 been with for nearly a decade.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檇 worked for Moe害羞草研究所檚 [Home Collection] in Vancouver off and on for 10 years,害羞草研究所� he explains. His daughter had just graduated high school, and the family had decided to cross the pond, with Curtis opening his own store but still using Moe害羞草研究所檚 Home as a wholesaler.
害羞草研究所淟iterally a week before I was leaving, Moe said, 害羞草研究所榃hy don害羞草研究所檛 you open it up as a Moe害羞草研究所檚?害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟
The flagship franchise store was launched to great success, and new franchise stores quickly followed.
害羞草研究所淚 think we害羞草研究所檙e up to 12 or 13 franchise stores now,害羞草研究所� says Curtis, whose own shop has done extremely well. recently moved into the large brick building on Swift Street (former location of Ocean River Sports).
害羞草研究所淭he space is incredible,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淲ood beams, brick walls, lots of windows.害羞草研究所�
It害羞草研究所檚 all about creating a vibe, he says, through music, scents and the flow of the furniture.
害羞草研究所淭he biggest compliment is when people walk through and say what a beautiful store it is,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淚 try to create a cohesive feeling so when you walk into the store it all makes sense, and it gives you a sense of good design. I love merchandising. It害羞草研究所檚 my favourite part of my job now. I love being there late at night, flipping the store. It害羞草研究所檚 such a creative outlet,害羞草研究所� he adds.
And as of March of next year, he害羞草研究所檒l have double the space in which to play with his creativity; Moe害羞草研究所檚 Home Victoria is opening a second location in Langford.
害羞草研究所淥ur range is so big, this gives us the opportunity to bring in things we couldn害羞草研究所檛 before,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e going to try and bring the same vibe over there, but it害羞草研究所檚 a living, ever-changing thing. It害羞草研究所檚 going to be a completely different line. It害羞草研究所檚 almost like having a 10,000-square-foot store now.害羞草研究所�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
P!nk. My daughter and I went to see her last concert and it was life-changing. Alongside her incredible talent, all of her amazing feminist uplifting and empowerment vibes害羞草研究所攈er energy is so contagious!
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and
over again?
I have quite the sweet tooth, so I害羞草研究所檒l have to say anything sweet! Cinnamon buns, chocolate害羞草研究所 love going to La Roux Patisserie on Fisgard for an almond croissant.
Greed:
You害羞草研究所檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
A luxurious getaway just for me. I would hop on a plane to stay at the Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora. I害羞草研究所檝e always wanted to go there and just spend my time hanging out, lounging on the beach, indulging in everything.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
Oh, the wrath. When pictures are hung too high, when you bite into a popsicle with your front teeth, when cupboard doors are left open. I also have to say a poorly designed or merchandized store and unsatisfactory customer service.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
Sorry, I don害羞草研究所檛 understand this question. What do you mean doing nothing? I害羞草研究所檓 rarely seen doing nothing. I have too much energy!
Pride:
What is the one thing you害羞草研究所檙e secretly proud of?
I害羞草研究所檓 proud of not taking life too seriously and taking pride in the little things that present themselves every day. There will always be ups and downs, but I recognize that I am very fortunate and blessed in so many aspects of my life. When things go wrong, I do my best to take responsibility and learn from it. Life is short, you害羞草研究所檝e got to enjoy it.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
All the exercise! But in all seriousness, I love walking into a freshly painted room or a newly built house, or just seeing well-thought-out design in general. I love all the sensorial, the see, touch, taste, all of that.
