30 ~- North Shere News - Sunday, June 25, 2000 When it comes to vacuuins .... “It's Air Flow, Not Amps that Count!" Serving the North Shore for 12 years Insuring the North Shore since 1906 A family business locally owned & operated Then you've been doing business on the North Shore for almost a hun- dred years, you must be doing something right. Irwin & Billings Insurance Brokers have been offerizsg personal and commercial insurance since the office was first opened by W.J. Irwin in 1906. Irwin, who served as NorthVancouver's second mayor and helped found the Chamber of Commerce, built his customer base on a commitment to quality service and reasonable rates. - Not much has changed since those days. Current President Bob Stewart _ likes to get to know each and every one - of his customers and prides himself on prompt and friendly service. Since rwin & Billings deals with several major insurance companies, it allows * them to shop around for the best rates. The brokerage also offers after-policy . advice for customers who might : . require help explaining their policy or - who need assistance with their claim. », With a track record like theirs, Irwin & Billings will likely be around for the qe next hundred years a3 well. IRWIN & LJ | BILLINGS Capilano Hair Design opened it’s doors in .1967 when Capilano - Mall was first built. This salon is. “the only Business that has remained in operaton since the begjaning.: : Now. with - 10 siiss ‘and an average of 500 customers per week it looks like Capilano Hair .. Design will be around for another + BB years, = Norine Neves (a sist in her own tight). became 4 partner in the business ‘in’ 1986 joining her parents who opened the salon: years. ago. Norine and her “husband Arthur Silva manage the store and Norine’s mom ...Odetie ‘Neves works in the salon, . Norine believes that one of the reasons her salon is so popular is the friendly atmosphere. “We all - work together as a team, it's a fun place to be. Collectively we have over 100 years of experience to draw from, so as consultants we share information all the time.” says Norine. “Capilano Hair Design has the largest selection of retail hair care products on the North Shore. Much of their business results from their wide selection and moderately priced merchandise. i _@APILANO.MALL~ This busy, full service hair saton has become a fixture at Capilano Mall. After all these years many of the clientele are like family, returning again and. again for great cuts, the right highlights and to their trusted friends. Obviously Capilano Hair Design does many things right but Norine says what's most important is customer satisfaction. “Not just the first time they come to us, but every time.” it's this kind of commitment that will ensure Capilano Hair Design has a great future ahead as well as a great history behind it. 985-3174 ohn Schleimer and his pariner Arthur Bovill know vacuums, They've been in business together for 15 years, and in Dundarave as owners of West Van Vacuum Centre for 12. Some people think they can’t compete with the box stores. John says they can. They not only offer customers a better quality produ, they compete on price too. And they will service your vacuum right in the store. “Half the time it’s something small, just a minor adjustment and you don’t have to wait a few weeks to get it back,” says John. People are getting burned all the time,” he adds. “The majority of vaccuums in people's homes today don't have sufficient air low.” Air flow and design determines how well 2 vacuum works. Ainps (highly touted in adverising) have nothing to do with cleaning power. An amp rating is merely the amount of electrical consumption at peak performance. West Van Vacuum Centre sells products from about 10 different manufacturers — from mid-range vacuums like Hoover, Panasonic, Samsung and Sanyo, to the more expensive Miele, Lindehaus, Sebo and -. . the Cyclo Vac. Over the years, their store has been getting busier as more and more people see the benefits of paying as liwe more for a better quality product. “We have the expertise and everything we sell, we service. We have to answer for our products with that service.” West Van Vacuum Centre “omnes. | 2433 Marine Drive, West Vancouver Helping Us. Cock on- the North Shore for 26 years. The first-store opened in Vancouvers: China Town in 1917 - ing Wo Cookware at Capilano Mali has been restocking ‘it’s shelves - for over two and a half decades, Store Manager. Lois McOuat is proud to say that she’s helped — prestigious. chef's find that - perfect tool or pot and the new: ei bride decide on just the right . wooden spoon for twenty years. “We have outfitted brand new” kitchens, provided Bakers with all the decorating tools they need, as well as taking special orders for little items, it's all in a days work.” says Lois. ‘ fun is all the repeat customers we see. About 70 percent of our Customers come back again and again. We. work.. hard at providing friendly customer service and offering lots. of product knowledge. Training staff is extremely important at my store.” Lois and her dedicated. staff opened Ming Wo Ming Wo, (affectionately referred to as min WO S : mo fee : store number 2) next door” to the original Ming Wo this past November. With mor2_ total “square footage Lois has been: — able separate the chop it, bake it, cook it merchandise from table - top goods, stemware and cutlery. Ming Wo sees just ‘under 1000 buying customers each week”. -. between the two stores, and they are served by 13 well trained full : and part time staff. Ming Wo has the unique — distinction of being the oldest kitchen shop in Vancouver. The first store opened in China Town in 1917 and has grown to _ 10 shops since then. ok: eheiwoMin _ 922-9335 selection .. of : : anything ‘ain your ‘Aitchen, : Capilano Mall .is definitely the: cook's place io shop. Lois says if you visit more than a couple of ; times you just: might end © up: getting a Ming Wo hug... That's you decide to buy one of their 1 different woks, or not. 980-921: 980-926