Clothes for kids can be fashionable and functional – and God knows on the North Shore cheery waterproof clothes can go a long way in November.
Fashion and functionality is the philosophy behind new Edgemont Village kids lifestyle store, Pebble, situated in the heart of nature on the North Shore.
“We have a pretty good selection of raingear,” says Pebble owner Jordan Proulx, with a laugh, alluding to the North Shore’s normal weather pattern. “We definitely cater to what our environment is.”
So why not curate cheerful kids clothing and accessories for the store?
Pebble’s biggest selling item are Native slip-on shoes, which come in a rainbow of colours and are dubbed “cool Crocs” by the designer.
While trendy can be lucrative for business, at the same time Proulx is trying to bring in items which promote a healthy lifestyle.
“They are all products that I believe provide good value. We’re not just chasing trends,” she says.
Which is why you won’t find fidget spinners at the store.
Pebble opened its first location on Arbutus Street in Kitsilano in 2008.
“It was because of my son,” explains Proulx of how she got into the kids’ retail arena.
Proulx had a moment of clarity during her maternity leave and decided to leave the corporate world behind.
While she loved the job, Proulx had a demanding schedule as manager of business support services for a Vancouver-based gaming corporation.
As luck would have it, a commercial space came available in Kitsilano, where Proulx lived at the time, “And I thought: ‘You know what would be really good there? A kids store.’”
This past spring Proulx applied that same vision to Edgemont, bringing in a dedicated kids retail store, as the Village undergoes an entire refresh.
“I stumbled upon Edgemont Village and thought what an amazing community,” says Proulx, who now lives in Pemberton Heights. “Just it’s got such a great vibe. Family oriented, obviously.”
Proulx describes the 950-square-foot space as having an industrial-contemporary flair, with some brick material and iron fixtures.
“There’s no peg walls,” she promises.
Proulx uses the modest space to set Pebble apart as an independent retailer.
“For me, supporting local is a priority,” explains Proulx.
“So wherever possible I do try to bring in brands that are small and local makers or ones that have some sort of story to them. I do believe in that economic cycle, how if I’m supporting the businesses around me by purchasing my coffee at Delany’s or my lunch at BjornBar – the same thing applies with the products that we sell. If we are supporting that local economy … that just improves our society as a whole is my belief.”
Pebble carries a curated selection of kids clothing, shoes, bedding, and feeding products.
Most of the items you’ll find in the store are either locally made, organically made, or made from natural materials.
One local line Pebble carries is Molly & Frankie, developed by North Shore entrepreneur Hannah Stephens.
Molly & Frankie is a European-inspired children’s clothing line made from 100 per cent cotton and produced in Vancouver, for little ones aged zero to three years old, and which aims to reflect the sweet simplicity of childhood through timeless pieces.
“She’s an amazing local talent. The esthetic is amazing. It’s classical. It’s very well-made,” says Proulx, who hosted a pop-up at Pebble for Molly & Frankie in July.
Just in time for back-to-school shopping, Pebble stocks must-have backpacks and lunch kits by the popular Herschel brand, which was developed by a couple of Deep Cove brothers.
The trend in kids clothes these days is gender neutral, says Proulx.
Pebble carries Vancouver-based Vonbon, which creates pieces that marry neutral esthetics and modern design.
The name Pebble is inspired by Proulx’s penchant for astronomy. She had a geology teacher back in the day who referred to the earth as a pebble.
Proulx’s plan for Pebble is to cater to families in the surrounding Edgemont neighbourhood and across the North Shore.
“We very much hope to become part of the fabric of this community,” she says.
