People who call old age “the golden years” are full of it — and I don’t mean gold.
But in this scenario, good things do happen especially for residents of participating seniors’ residences like The Maples Residences.
At aged 93, I really don’t go running out to stores but believe it or not, stores come to me.
For example, a couple of weeks ago I wanted a new blouse for a special occasion.
Lack of mobility precluded shopping around. But advertised on the Bulletin Board of this residence was that one of the two visiting clothiers, FashionCloset and CoCo, was arriving on a certain date and time.
The vendor coming within days was FashionCloset
As promised, the clothes arrived, hanging and swaying on six metal, wheeled racks carrying both men’s and women’s wear.
For women, there were skirts and blouses, slacks and jackets and dresses in all sizes, colours and designs for our selection.
The men’s single rack wasn’t as fully stocked but then neither are men’s needs.
Nevertheless, there were men’s shirts, pants, and sweaters all with a varied selection of sizes and colours.
Being very curious, I wanted to learn more about this helpful service so I cornered the owner and this is what I found.
Fashion Closet’s vendor is named Heather. She told me she prides herself on buying Canadian whenever she can and from other wholesalers where she can purchase new clothes inexpensively and sell them to us at down-to-earth prices.
“I just wish I could buy more plus sizes but they are hard to come by,” said this slim 54-year-old who has been in the business for six years.
I asked her about the physical effort required to trundle in such heavy racks loaded with clothing.
“I have a retired lady friend who helps me and she and I have it down to a science. I am lucky to have an ex-Handi Dart bus which easily holds all the secured racks. They are on wheels so with ramps they really don’t present a problem.”
This busy lady travels many kilometres a week servicing almost 40 facilities from Chilliwack to West Vancouver.
She loves her four-to-five-day work week but says, “The business is by guess and by golly and customers have specific needs, so I can’t always please everyone. I wish I could.”
She buys for months ahead, “That way I can plan holidays. For instance, I have bought everything I need until next November.”
No butchers or bakers or candlestick makers make the rounds to Seniors’ homes — at least not this one — but with FashionCloset and CoCo, we residents are well-supplied with choices of clothing.
Three jewelers plus Purdy’s Chocolates also make their offerings available.
Purdy’s scrumptious chocolates are always popular as gifts — or for home consumption.
I personally am not in the market for jewelry but a lot of residents love to inspect and buy glitter and bling.
Heather is equipped to take cash or cards so after trying on a few blouses in my suite, I happily bought two at $31 each including tax.
I also received a lot of information to pass on to you about an interesting and quite unique business.
Nadine Jones is a former journalist for the Vancouver Sun.
