One of the first boutiques I grew to admire is Lafontaine. Established in 1989 they have been one of the few unique shops in Whitby to maintain a loyal following of customers by offering a selection of home decor, gifts and apparel. The shop started off in a modest space which it outgrew and they exchanged their cramped yet cozy boutique for a larger showroom across the street. Their product assortment can be slightly inconsistent as they struggle to experiment with attracting different demographics – such as offering men’s wear and a limited range of women’s shoes. But their real challenge has come from featuring apparel lines that can be regularily found discounted at department and designer discount stores.
The inspiration? I’m continually amazed that Lafontaine has been able to stay in business while situated in the decayed and uninspiring hub of downtown Whitby. Their commitment to the business and loyal customers shows that there is a need for the personal experience that boutiques like this one can offer.
Lafontaine
