It’s always fabulous to hear success stories. It’s been tricky navigating for small businesses these last few years, but for some, like Ikhaya in Lower Gibsons, energy and vision have lined up with demographics and opportunity. Ikhaya started as a small boutique decor shop less than five years ago. When the opportunity to expand to a new location on Marine Drive opened up, owner Genevieve Meyer seized it.
Genevieve has made wonderful use of the additional space to offer larger and more diverse items such as beds and sofas, books and art, and jewellery. She is excited:
“It’s been really fun! The newest development is our furniture line. I am having my own personalized line of sectional sofas and other upholstered furniture made in Europe and shipped to me here on the Coast. It is going really well and we have already pre-sold most of the second container, arriving any day now.”
High-quality and unique items of decor, furnishings, and lighting are often difficult to find in smaller communities. With so many new families moving to the Coast in the past two years, along with many newly-built homes, Genevieve has found that there is a big demand for Ikhaya’s wares. Even visitors to the Coast are finding unique items that they want to bring home. This suits Genevieve perfectly, she says, “I love to think about our products making homes cozy all over the country.”
