20 ~ Wednesday, October 27, 1993 - North Shore News “I've been in retail for 25 years, one end of it or another, usually in the creative, artistic and design end. 1 also taught fashion mer- chandising for 1 0 years.” Phoenix has been so successful that on November 1st, Linis scheduled toopena lingerie and lounge wear store at - Park Royal (South Mall near the ..Chess board). . With her growing business, “she is thankful to have some ‘helping hands. Husband David, a chartered accountant, helps out _ with everything from changing light bulbs to serving champagne at Phoenix gatherings. Her daughter Sasha has recently joined Phoenix fulltime. “Sasha came down one day and helped unpack some boxés and she’s “been nere fulltime ever since. _ think she's been bitten by the retail bug -the fashion, the excite: ment.” A second daughter, - Stefani, is going to school in - hopes of following in her Dad's profession. -- Lin Rockwell and her family live in West Vancouver. “I don’t think there is a nicer place in the world or nicer people than on the North Shofe, and I've travelled the world. There's no question, "this is the place to be.” Dan Interiors Johanne Olsen/ Erica Fonseca When you meet Johanne Olsen and Erica Fonseca, you can understand why their business is so successful. This mother/daughter combination is So positive and optimistic. Erica left the hotel industry to join her mother at Dan Interiors (Park Royal South) because working for herseif meant no limitations. “when you work for someone else like i did, you are put ina box and that's all you do. I didn't want to miss this opportunity.” And Johanne could not be happier that her daughter joined the company. “We don't have a down side. It has been pure satisfaction- wonderful and rewarding.” Dan Interiors has been at Park Royal for 25 years, the last four years under the guiding hands of owners Johanne and Erica. Erica compares Dan Interiors toa small department store. “we have one of the largest selections of linens, candles (imported and all dripless), furniture accessories, lamp fixtures and a huge variety of kitchen items (mid to high end, good quality European design). Johanne says customer expectations have changed. “They expect good Service from a knowledgable staff.” Erica adding “we can order directly to satisfy a customer's needs. Everything starts and stops right at our store. The decision makers are on the floor.” Johanne and Erica believe in _ their Slogan: “For those who appreciate the difference.” And what a difference at - Park Royal Shopping Centre. “We applaud the owners of Park -- Royal who went out and spent ‘the money to move forward,” @ Says Johanne. “The shopping centreis very renewed, very fresh for the custom: ‘ers of Park Royal. itmeansnew _ stores combined with old friends like us.” Ba" La. Exquisite Boutique Peggy Chroust For 26 years, Exquisite Boutique in Park Royal has been synonyrnous with excellence in women's clothing. Owner Peggy Chroust has created a reputation in the city for having one of the finest _ selections of exclusive clothes from some of the top designers in Europe. “make two trips a season 10 Europe to do my buying. Every season we have a fashion show at the Georgia Hoielto keep our customers informed about what is current, or to show them how to add to their ward- robe.” Mrs. Chroust believes in offering ner customers a good selection. “Ifa woman is looking for along black skirt -! willhave ten of them." In addition to providing an unusually wide selection to choose from, Mrs. Chroust ensures that customers will find clothes in sizes ranging from 6 to 20. Exquisite Boutige Boutique also does its own alterations and all the staff are Europeantrained. “Our sportswear and coats are from the best factory in Ger- many, and Jobis is a particular beautiful line exclusive to us. Our customers value this make. in our elegant line, we favour Louis Feraud and Renzo and many more. Our evening gowns are - Laborn-exclusive to us.” Tasteful and elegant styles are the hallmark of Peggy Chroust's ability to choose what her customers are looking for. ~ “i Know my customers and 1 know what they want to buy. My customers can travel here from any distance, and with this selection, they can put together a whole wardrobe for the season. Everything is here.” Eleanor Mack Lynne Stevenson The most frequently question asked of Lynne Stevenson by new customers is..."Is there an Eleanor Mack?" You bet there was. Eleanor Mack was Lynne’s mother. Her mother opened the store in Park Royal over. ‘38 yearsago. “When mother passed away in 1990, the © hardest thing was to assure our loyal clientele that everything: . ;- was going to be OK. It was like they had lost their best friend. Once they find out I'm Eleanor’s © daughter, it's almostlike a safety blanket.” — Park Royal has always ; been in Lynne'siife. “Our family’ - moved to West Vancouver in 1945. My mother was a well. known, wellrespected milliner in downtown Vancouver and when we moved over to West Van, she decidedtouseher - years of New York training to open her own business.” — Eleanor Mack is unique. to say the least. There are only about five millinery shopsleftin Canada. “We focus on our: custorn bridal hats, trims, and _ blocking: We're a fullservice.. hat shop.” Like most businesses in the ‘90's, change is inevitable. anda stroll through Eleanor Mack will reveal the addition of - a children’s hat line. “We havea whole new market in children's hats in a nice price range ($ 1 8- $35) for little boys and giris from ‘ages 6 months to 10 years.” Lynne also pointed out that the demand for hats is on the upswing. “Hats play a big part in ., fashiontoday. And| .. ayaye think people are more « concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer and the ill effects of long-term 4» ©xposure to the sun.” Whatever the type or style, when you think ofhats, you should think of Eleanor Mack..