Bridal shop serving Calgary 54 years ends tradition, unveils new plan
As wedding dress styles change through the decades, one Calgary shop has remained a constant option for local brides for more than half a century.
Ethos has operated out of the historic Devenish Building on 17 Avenue since the 1970s but has left the space behind because of a shift in the industry.
“For so long we had people walking in but, all of a sudden people wanted that one-on-one appointment,” said manager Jamie Nazer.
Staff say they only shifted to that model because it was necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic, but found brides preferred it and were more likely to buy.
So Ethos is moving to a smaller space, just two blocks down at 1020 17 Ave. S.W.
“Serve (fewer) people during the daytime and give them the service they’re looking for.”
It will continue offering a variety of styles, complete customization and dedicated staff.
“I’ve been with Ethos for 37 years,” said Nazer.
In many cases several generations of the same family have chosen the local business for their wedding.
“Everyone says, 'Who didn’t buy from Ethos, my grandma did, my mom did my aunt did,'” said Nazer.
The Omar family is pleased to be one of those families.
Miya Omar is getting married in June and picked her wedding dress in the very same shop as her mother.
“It’s very special, it’s a very wholesome moment,” she said.
Though her sisters won’t have the exact same experience, they’re hoping to continue the trend.
“I mean it definitely sucks that I don’t get to come to the same location because it does feel so welcoming and comforting but the staff here, all of the different options and customizations; I think the services will just be enhanced in a new spot,” said Ayah Omar.
Staff feel the same way about leaving the special space.
“We definitely will miss it but we look forward to the new adventure in the other building,” said Nazer.
But they are excited to continuing the tradition in a more modern way that gives brides the experience they want.
Ethos staff say Calgary designer Kate Hewko plans to take over the former bridal space.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
Conservatives kick off return to House with new call for Speaker Greg Fergus to resign
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday with a renewed call for Speaker Greg Fergus to resign, this time over 'very partisan' and 'inflammatory' language used to promote an upcoming event.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Nestle to sell $5 pizza, sandwiches in the U.S. for Wegovy, Ozempic users
Nestle NESN.S will market a new, US$5 line of frozen pizzas and protein-enriched pastas in the United States which it says it designed specifically for people taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss.
How much more Canadian consumers are paying, compared to this time last year
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.