These entrepreneurs are proud Canadians

WHAT COULD be more American than two flag-waving,

outgoing, sports-loving young entrepreneurs? Think again.

These guys are Canadian. Canadian to the core.

Rob Arthurs and Dony Sawchuk even know all the words to the ‘national anthem (the Cana- dian one, that is) and not the abridged version the rest of us stumble’ through at the hockey arena before face-off. These two dynamic owners of the True North Clothing Co. can even boast. of knowing the verse that goes something like:

Where the pines and maples grow, Great Prairies spread and lordly -rivers flow...

_O Canada in french is a bit of a

challenge, mind you, but they

Name: Rob Arthurs; Sawchuk

Age: 35; 31 Occupation: trepreneurs Birthplace: Edmonton, North Vancouver, B.C. Residence: North Vancouver Hobbies: Skiing, golfing, sailing, designing

Dony

Clothing en-

Alta.;

assure me they’re working on it.

It’s all part of a bold new ini- tiative — ‘Unification of the na- tion by clothing’? — the two 'em- barked on this time last year.

Fed up with the lack of en- thusiasm. displayed by apathetic Canadians during the singing of the national. anthem at hockey games, and by the prevalence of American flag-laden fashions on city streets, Arthurs and Sawchuk . decided to do something about it.

“A huge American flag on 2 $500 leather coat drove me crazy,’’ explains Arthurs, 35, “because I kiew they had no ties to America.””

A former ‘California ‘‘surfer dude” wannabe, the reformed Ar- thurs now sings the praises of his native land and laments the na- tional pastime of nation-bashing.

“We live in the best place on the Earth to live, and we’re not proud of it. We're so. well respected around the world, but we as Canadians don’t respect ourselves.”’

So Arthurs Sawchuk designed their first na- tion-building T-shirt, with . the words ‘‘True North Strong and Free’’ embroidered across . the front and each wore one to the fireworks display, at English Bay last August

The reaction was .‘‘phenome- ‘nal,’? according to Arthurs, and from there the two went back to the drawing board. The True North logo was ‘reworked and

Tiley Endurables

North Vancouver 1194 Marine near Pemberton 987-6424

‘and 31-year-old’

By Layne Christensen Feshion Reporter

refined, a computer program for the embroidery was commission- ed, and the first sweatshirts and T-shirts were manufactured and sold through a Below the Belt store in Victoria.

A small office Arthurs and Sawchuk shared on West First Street was converted, businesses were sold (Arthurs sold his maid service in October; Sawchuk had a building contract service) and the first True North Clothing Co. outlet and showroom was opened at 340 Lonsdale Ave. on Nov. 1.

Since then, sales of True North Ts and sweats have increased 400% according to Arthurs,

There are now six embroidered logos to choose from (each with no fewer than 20,000 stitches, I am told). T-shirts retail for $24.95 and $28.95; sweatshirts, $49.95

and $56.95.

Dressed in rib-knit T-shirt, leopard-print vest, casual pants and cowboy boots (Canadian- made, of course), the tanned and long-haired Arthurs is just as pas- sionate about his country as he is about his business.

How does he feel about cross- border shopping?

‘It sucks!’ is the response as he tells me that anyone who shops across the “border just doesn’t know how to shop.

The interview at Lonsdale storefront and showroom is punctuated with telephone calls. First, a call from the owner of a limousine ‘‘ex- pressly made for Ronald Reagan.”’ “We're looking for a limo to drive,’ explains Arthurs of the interruption. ‘‘We thought we could put magnetic signs on it that.say ‘True North Clothing Co. — designers at work inside’ — kind of an advertising vehicle, lit- erally.”

Then Arthurs’ account of his Christmas vacation to Hawaii — where, on Waikiki Beach, one American donned a True North T-shirt and offered’ an off-key rendition of O Canada — is cut short by another call.

This time it’s Sawchuk on the phone. His sales cali to the Gran- ville Island Marina must. have gone’ well because Arthurs’ end of the conversation goes something hike: ‘‘Good going. ...Is that right, eh? ... They liked them?.... Right

on... Wow ... Incredible.’”

See Clothing page 3 4

Dear Alex,

During a visit to Ship Harbour, Conception Bay, Nfld., FDR and WSC grabbed for my Tilley Hat!

The attempted ‘theft’ was at the monument commemorating the meeting .

" between the two great leaders in August

1941 - 52 years ago this year. Was that the firsl time a Former Naval Person wanted a Tilley? * Frank Kempster Bedford, N.S. Perhaps, but it looks like it won't be . the last! Alex Tilley

fern Inc., Barbara ond John Tiley, independent tetailers,

‘Vancouver 1537 Broadway near Granville 732-4287

Open 10 - 5:30 Monday thru Saturday

his Lower *

NEWS 5 photo Mike Waketleld

TRUE NORTH clothiers Rob Arthurs (left) and Dony Sawchuk raise the flag outside their Lower Lonsdale storefront and showroom.

THE GRE

AT CAPILANO RIVER QUACK UP

ENJOY A DAY OF REDUCKULOUS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY featuring children’s entertainer Kathryn Nicholson singing at . 12:30 and 2:30pm, the Sweet Adelines singing at noon and 1:30pm and Devin the Juggler demonstrating and teaching the art of juggling at

11:30am, 7:00 and 2:00pm. Children of all ages will enjoy the Fowl Play Mystery and Colouring Contest. |

CHILDREN UNDER 72 FREE when accompanied by an adult. Special 2 for 1 Annual Pass sale for adults. (2 for $7.00).

The Groat Capliano River Duck Race takes place March 14, 1993 at 1 p.m. at Park Royal South (behind the Bay). Ducks are $5.00 and are available at ail major malls, North Shore Credit Union offices, Save-On-Foods, Royal Bank, BC Hydro, Jim Pattison Toyota and Dick irwin Chevrolet Oldsmobile. Or simply call 980-DUCK.

CREDIT UNION

Feiler ingown Communily-

a

Net NORTH SHORE