Image: Facebook
A Vernon business is getting national attention after winning a major award from the Retail Council of Canada.
The RCC announced today it’s giving Birch Hill Studio the Excellence in Retailing Awards 2018 Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year.
The award recognizes the “outstanding contributions of a local independent retailer” that has set itself apart as a “visionary and innovator” in its community.
Birch Hill Studio owner Sierra Harris says she was floored when she first learned about the honour.
“It’s a huge deal for us because we’re just a small shop in Vernon,” Harris told Okanagan Edge today. “We’ve been buzzing ever since we found out—and today we finally get to announce it publicly, we’re like vibrating at everybody’s well wishes.”
Harris said she had no idea Birch Hill was even being considered for the award until she got a call (from a woman she initially thought was a bill collector) telling her she had won.
“I actually thought it was a joke; I didn’t believe her at first,” she said.
Image: Facebook
Sierra Harris and Kaitlyn Clarkson
She later learned that members of the RCC follow Birch Hill Studio on Instagram and were impressed with the shop’s social media presence, so they nominated it for the award.
In a press release announcing the win, RCC president Diane Brisebois even specifically mentions the shop’s social media feeds.
“Birch Hill Studio is a remarkable retailer not only because they’ve become one of downtown Vernon’s leading businesses, but because they have achieved this by finding fresh ways to support local artists and designers,” Brisebois says. “Birch Hill Studio also offers a unique customer experience that extends beyond its store; their playful posts and growing community on social media are also an indication of that unique customer experience.”
Harris says her shop has become popular on social media largely because of the relationship she has with her store manager, Kaitlyn Clarkson.
Harris opened Birch HiIl Studio shortly after she and her husband moved from Terrace to Vernon. Clarkson had worked as a server at the couple’s Terrace restaurant, and when Harris decided to set up shop she called Clarkson and asked her to move down and manage the place.
Since then, Harris says Clarkson has been the rock keeping the shop running, and their goofy friendship inspires a lot of Birch Hill’s social media posts.
Harris says the RCC will fly her, her family, and Clarkson to Toronto to receive the award in late May.
Until then, Birch Hill Studio will continue to sell its selection of Canadian-made and Canadian-designed products across the country, as well as to the local customers Harris says have made it all possible.
“We love the Okanagan and we love Vernon and we’re so grateful that Vernon and the rest of the Okanagan has embraced us the way they have—because without the local people loving us and coming shopping here it wouldn’t be what it is now,” she says.
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