Back in 2012, sisters Justine and Kendall Barber launched an online shoe brand based in Edmonton.
Since then their business has grown, adding bags and small accessories to its repertoire, and partnering with family-owned factories in Mexico and Europe to become a popular sustainable Certified B-corp with stores in both Calgary and Edmonton. In that time, however, they never opened any other locations in Canada, until now.
After years of pop-ups, Poppy Barley will set up shop permanently in Vancouver with a brick-and-mortar location opening in Kitsilano on May 5.
The 1,200-square-foot West 4th Avenue space is long and narrow (about half the size of both Alberta stores) which was apparently a challenge for Visual Brand Lead Haley Wallace when planning the store's layout.
In a blog post for Poppy Barley's website, she says: "Good design is problem-solving and understanding our constraints is a really important step early on to maximize space and create a layout that flows effectively."
The space is reportedly full of creative space-saving storage solutions including rolling shelving and an integrated display and try-on stations with multi-functional furniture.
The Vancouver location is not only the first store opening for the brand since the pandemic but it's also the only "street front store" (the other two are in malls) which means the customers can expect natural light and live plants incorporated into the design.
"The look and feel of our brand have also evolved since our last store opening and this is reflected in our YVR store design," says Wallace. "We’re leaning into more natural materials like stone and wood, while also keeping the design fresh and light."
