Maintaining a diversity of retail products and services in a small town like Revelstoke is a challenge. Revelstoke can easily support many tourist-dependent businesses, like restaurants, but keeping open locals-focused shops and services is a multi-faceted challenge.
Bette’s Underthings & Clothing is opening this week to fill a much-needed niche in the women’s clothing market, providing a full spectrum of undergarments as well as yoga and active-wear clothing.
“There was a real gap in the market,” said owner and business developer Yvette Pendergast. After years at Community Connections, she opted to make a change and developed the concept with the help of Community Futures.
Pendergast carries mid-range to high-end undergarments for women. So of their lines are Marie Jo, Prima Donna, Freya, Elomi, Eveden, Fitfully Yours and Triumph.
They also carry pyjamas, robes, shape-wear and accessories like carrying cases for bras.
Providing correct fittings is a cornerstone of the business; a lot of women, Pendergast said, aren’t aware of their correct size.
The back third of the store is devoted to yoga wear. They carry two yoga and active wear labels.
Public Myth is a Vancouver-based yoga line designed by Kerry Pollock that adds sexy, flirty details to their line of energized activewear, bringing a bit of Southern California flair to their fits.
Karma is another Vancouver line, which includes form-hugging yoga basics combined with flowy, loose-fitting accent pieces that break up the yoga uniform with asymmetrical cuts and alternative colour blocking.
Pendergast provides turnkey solutions for men searching for the perfect gifts for big occasions like Christmas, birthdays and, of course, Valentine’s Day. Bette’s staff does bra and underwear fittings for clients and maintains a gift registry, so men can walk away with the perfect gift each time. They also do gift certificates and gift-wrapping.
The long-time Revelstoke resident said providing top customer service is the key to her business. “If people come in and see something they want, I am more than willing to bring them in,” Pendergast said.
Their 202 First Street West shop has been transformed, and even has a Halloween display ready for the reveal on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The interior renovations were a combined effort, with design consulting from Kelsey Kindret and Angela Wiley. Kyle Buhler Cabinetry created the sleek retail counter and partner Doug Pendergast put in the long hours to help complete the renovations. They’ve got two fitting rooms and a large bathroom that can act as a third.
In the new year, Pendergast plans to start selling bathing suits.
Their exact opening date is dependent on getting some more stock in, but they should be open by about the time you read this.