Well this has been quite the ride…
First off, we hope you are well. We know we’re just the shaving shop, but we really do hope you’re doing ok. It’s been a bumpy couple of months and whether you’ve been impacted a little or a lot, we wish you well.
Next up, an update on our store. You’ve likely heard that some retails shops are opening back up in BC this week. We’ve thought long and hard about this one, and have decided that because our store space is tiny and it lacks running water, we can’t open back up safely. Physical distancing inside our store is impossible and hand washing requires us to lock up the store each time as there is no washroom on site. We pride ourselves on giving you top notch service and allowing you to pick up razors, smell shave soaps and try on aftershaves and body butters – it appears that those things are no longer in the cards. This decision is a big one for us, because we continue to pay rent on our storefront as we have throughout the pandemic.
The good news: as always, we have our web store and our telephone! Our website contains all of our products and lot of extra shaving info. For folks adverse to the internet (don’t worry, we get it!), give us a call – we’ll happily help you choose the shaving supplies that are right for you. 778-433-4626
How will you get your stuff, you ask?
We continue to offer free delivery in and around the greater Victoria area! For all other orders in Canada, we charge a flat rate of $5. When you place your order, the option applicable for your address will appear.
Thank you for supporting us over the years! Whether online, in the store, or at a market, we truly appreciate you coming along with us on this journey. We’d also like to thank the folks who have placed orders with us these past 2 months. We honestly had no idea what would happen when we locked up the store on March 15th and we are so grateful that orders have still been coming in. Thank you!
A few of our thoughts ….
COVID-19 has affected almost everyone, and in many different ways. All we can speak to is what it’s like to be an owner-operated micro business right now. We are lucky and we are privileged to own our own business, live in our home, buy food to eat, and take care of our health. We know this is not the case for many people. We understand that sometimes there is no choice when it comes to shopping, but if you are in a position to choose where you shop, please shop small. Amazon will come through this just fine. Many small businesses will not. Like us, many small businesses rent space from property owners who have not deferred rent payments or taken advantage of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. This means that while store fronts have been empty and sales have been low or non-existent, tenants have been paying the full rent on spaces they cannot use. Also like us, many owner-operated small businesses are not eligible for the federal wage subsidy or CERB.
Why mention this? Because shopping small helps, a lot. It doesn’t take much to make or break a family run business in your community. If you can, try to source from a local shop rather than Amazon – it make a big difference and it’s how we protect our local economies and communities.
We hope you are doing well and we hope to see you in the future in some form or another! Please drop us a line by email or give us a call if you have any questions or just want to chat – we miss you!
Take care,
Brad & Kate