Today’s Friday Find isn’t so much of a find as a discovery. Last night, Ingledew’s Shoes held a celebration at its new downtown Vancouver location at 900 West Hastings Street. The discovery from the fact that the part was also for the venerable shoe store’s 100th Anniversary. I knew the store had been around Vancouver for a long time but not for a century. In a city that’s only 129 years old, it’s impressive for any establishment to hit the century mark.
At the new downtown shop, third generation CEO Bill Ingledew told me the flagship store had been on Granville Street for their entire first century, having opened February 1st, 1915 before this move to Hastings Street. In three generations, the family business has seen a lot of changes to the footwear landscape, beginning as a dress shoe only shop, the post-war climate saw casual shoes gain traction and today design advancements allows athletic shoe technology to permeate even the dressiest of shoes.
The new store is a way to refresh and revive the brand, and, even though it’s just a few blocks away, bring it to a new demographic of shoppers. The bright and open store located at the corner of Hastings and Hornby takes advantage of the recent revival of the area since the opening of Jameson House, with close proximity to the Vancouver Convention Centre, many hotels and the central Business district. Men’s, Women’s, casual & dress shoes, plus a selection of handbags are elegantly displayed throughout the shop. The shop didn’t forget about its history either with the walls lined with images and clippings from the life of Ingledew’s.
Known for quality, stylish comfort, if you can’t experience the great service of Ingledew’s Downtown Vancouver there’s 6 other locations (plus 2 ECCO Shoe Stores) around BC and online shopping at ingledews.com.