- Words by Angela Cowan Photographs by Lia Crowe
When Curtis Vertefeuille left Vancouver for the island five years ago, he乌鸦传媒檇 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乌鸦传媒檛 anticipate was spearheading an entirely new expansion arm of the company he乌鸦传媒檇 been with for nearly a decade.
乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檇 worked for Moe乌鸦传媒檚 [Home Collection] in Vancouver off and on for 10 years,乌鸦传媒� 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乌鸦传媒檚 Home as a wholesaler.
乌鸦传媒淟iterally a week before I was leaving, Moe said, 乌鸦传媒榃hy don乌鸦传媒檛 you open it up as a Moe乌鸦传媒檚?乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕
The flagship franchise store was launched to great success, and new franchise stores quickly followed.
乌鸦传媒淚 think we乌鸦传媒檙e up to 12 or 13 franchise stores now,乌鸦传媒� 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).
乌鸦传媒淭he space is incredible,乌鸦传媒� he says. 乌鸦传媒淲ood beams, brick walls, lots of windows.乌鸦传媒�
It乌鸦传媒檚 all about creating a vibe, he says, through music, scents and the flow of the furniture.
乌鸦传媒淭he biggest compliment is when people walk through and say what a beautiful store it is,乌鸦传媒� he says. 乌鸦传媒淚 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乌鸦传媒檚 my favourite part of my job now. I love being there late at night, flipping the store. It乌鸦传媒檚 such a creative outlet,乌鸦传媒� he adds.
And as of March of next year, he乌鸦传媒檒l have double the space in which to play with his creativity; Moe乌鸦传媒檚 Home Victoria is opening a second location in Langford.
乌鸦传媒淥ur range is so big, this gives us the opportunity to bring in things we couldn乌鸦传媒檛 before,乌鸦传媒� he says. 乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e going to try and bring the same vibe over there, but it乌鸦传媒檚 a living, ever-changing thing. It乌鸦传媒檚 going to be a completely different line. It乌鸦传媒檚 almost like having a 10,000-square-foot store now.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒攈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乌鸦传媒檒l have to say anything sweet! Cinnamon buns, chocolate乌鸦传媒 love going to La Roux Patisserie on Fisgard for an almond croissant.
Greed:
You乌鸦传媒檙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乌鸦传媒檝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乌鸦传媒檛 understand this question. What do you mean doing nothing? I乌鸦传媒檓 rarely seen doing nothing. I have too much energy!
Pride:
What is the one thing you乌鸦传媒檙e secretly proud of?
I乌鸦传媒檓 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乌鸦传媒檝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.
