Simons Opens First B.C. Store in West Vancouver

Simons brings their signature style and service out west

Quebec-based fashion retailer Simons has finally opened the doors to its West Vancouver location. Last week, over 800 guests joined the Simons brothers, Peter (CEO) and Richard (VP of Buying), to celebrate the opening of their first B.C. location at Park Royal. Simons began in 1840 in Quebec City as “La Maison Simons” and remains a family-owned, wholly Canadian business.

Simons’ eleventh location boasts 100,000 square feet of retail therapy. With a Quebec sensibility, B.C. shoppers will find a fresh, more Euro-centric style of clothing, shoes and housewares. Expect to see private-label brands in addition to well-known international designers like Paul Smith, Elizabeth and James, Theory and Diane Von Furstenberg.

As equally well known as their fashion is Simons’ famous level of customer service. Making community and personal connections is important to this family-run business. It’s not uncommon for Quebec staff to see Peter or Richard lending a hand on the floor with anything from cleaning the bathrooms to assisting with sales. And on a larger scale, the Simons family has a long history of philanthropy and community service in Quebec.

Click through to see more of the store.

The Artful Approach

You’ll see creative art installations throughout the store, commissioned from local artists to give this Park Royal location a distinctly West Coast feel. In fact, each Simons store is unique in decor—no two are alike.

West Vancouver’s store features: Kayachtun (“welcome”), a sandblasted granite-relief on the exterior south entrance created by Coast Salish artist, Jody Broomfield; Innocence Disobedience by West Vancouver painter and sculptor, Bobbie Burgers, who created a wall sculpture of more than 50 ceramic flowers that adorn women’s fashions on the first floor; and Bow Tie, a graphic and whimsical sculpture of two brightly coloured striped cones that meet at a nearly imperceptible point hanging in the atrium above the escalators, by famed West Vancouver novelist and artist, Douglas Coupland.

Simons’ Private Labels

In addition to familiar international brands, Vancouver shoppers will be introduced to Simons’ own private labels for men and women. Check out: Contemporaine for women’s career and casual wear; Twik for eclectic fashionistas; Icône for women’s urban chic; Miiyu for women’s lingerie and lougewear; i.Fiv5 for men’s performance sports fashion; Le 31 for casual men’s fashions; and Djab for men’s streetwear.

And happy days for those of us desperate for some new options in the bed and bath departments: the Simons Maison collection offers a nice selection of beautifully designed textiles, towels and throws to scratch that design itch.

The French-Canadian Café

On the top floor is Ève, a 50-seat café inspired by Simons’ Québécois roots that offers fresh casual items—including beignes, French onion soup and Chicken Fricassee—as well as favourites like bagels. From its second-floor vantage point, the views of the Lions Gate Bridge and Ambleside Park outside are breathtaking. And inside, the café is adorned with student artwork from the not-for-profit Arts Umbrella education centre.