Chickadee Boutique
Chickadee Boutique is a one-of-a-kind ladies’ clothing shop on the Heights. Opening its doors in March 2011, this one-stop shop offers a selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and makeup from local and international labels.
Although boutiques are new to the Heights, Anna Santorelli is no stranger to the industry. Having worked for the retail team at Eaton’s, and then for the visual team at Holt Renfrew, she felt like the community was finally ready for a shop like Chickadee. So, she decided it was time to “bring fashion to the Heights.”
Originally, “Chickadee” was a term of endearment that she used on her children. Now that they’re grown up and flown from the nest, Anna says that she has “a new baby, so [she] called it Chickadee.”
In many ways, the shop really is like her new baby. Anna runs the store with one of her other chickadees, daughter, Larissa Santorelli and together they select every item they sell. Quite simply, if they don’t like a piece, or can’t see themselves wearing it, they won’t bring it to their store.
With the boutique’s name being so deeply connected to family, it only made sense to open their business close to home, which allows them to have a great work-life balance. They also love the Heights’ sense of community. “There are two communities,” explains Anna, “the residential community and the merchant community, and both have been very supportive.” She is also very loyal to her community, often grabbing coffee and shopping for groceries at one of her fellow Heights merchants. Chickadee may be a new shop, but it’s already cemented its place on the Heights.
Even when Anna is not working at the store, her mind is still on fashion. Making trips to go stateside to spot out the different looks and trends, reading different magazines and following boutiques in Europe are all things she does in her spare time to ensure that her boutique is up-to-date with the latest fashion crazes.
Chickadee is open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, leaving Sunday, as it should be, a family day.
Chickadee Boutique is located at 4347 Hastings Street. For more information, visit www.chickadeeboutiqueburnaby.com, or call 604-569-1116.
Written by Angela Jung, 2011 HMA Summer Student