– by Lara Gladych –
This is the first in a series showcasing some of the unique fashion boutiques in downtown Sidney.
If it’s been a while since you last visited Seaport Place, extend your walk through Sidney, and take a look at what’s going on. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
One of the first businesses you’ll come across is Ecotopia. They have been in their current location for a year-and-a-half now, and in business for four. Owners Mara and Morgan graciously welcome me into their store, and show me around their beautiful boutique.
Ecotopia is primarily an “earth-friendly eco-clothing store,” but their retail extends beyond just clothing. They also stock unique and local jewelry and accessories, and natural, refillable body care and household products. They are, notably, the Peninsula’s authorized Soap-Exchange refill centre, and it’s a cornerstone of their business, according to Morgan.
This visit to Ecotopia is my first, and I am immediately struck by the vivid colours of the FIG clothing line, and the fresh and earthy scents of the natural oils that fragrance their body care products.
At Ecotopia, they specialize in natural-fibre clothing. You’ll find fabrics made primarily of organic cotton, hemp and bamboo.
The Boutique is the culmination of more than an affinity for natural clothing: Mara and Morgan wanted to create a welcoming space that offers not just ethically sound and beautiful things, but also somewhere for the community to frequent and gather. “This is our passion, our bliss, and we want to share it with other people.”
“I love when people leave happy, and I love making this space beautiful … our interactions with people are very important to us, and we want to establish ourselves as a destination for customers,” says Mara. Morgan tells me that beyond their local clientele, they have customers who come in regularly from Victoria, as well as those who return every time they visit Sidney on vacation.
“It’s easy to find something beautiful and unique here,” says Mara. They carry clothing primarily for women, but for men and children too. And don’t be intimidated by the look of the store. Mara says that customers sometimes confess they were reluctant to come inside because the store looks expensive; she assures people that they carry an array of products that vary in price, and that they have a great selection of accessories and body care that is very affordable.
Mara and Morgan exude warmth and friendliness, and they made a customer of me. I confess, I left the store with a new dress. Like Ecotopia on Facebook, and stay abreast of all their new pieces and happenings. Photo by www.nuttycake.com.
