A visit to a shopping department store can often feel like you have been trapped in a glut of advertising, signs, colors, disarray, and stuff, stuff, stuff. Tackling even one section of a department store during sale time demands your concentration, will power, and even your patience when you need to find a clerk, change room, or a lineup that isn't 10 minutes deep.
And so, I bring you the best shopping mall experience I have found in all of this grand city of Calgary. Tucked on the east end of The Core shopping Centre (in itself, one of the most beautiful malls in Calgary, equip with glass dome roof, dynamic top floor gardens and eateries), this department store is a master of space and layout. This department store spans 4 levels in what once once called "Lancaster Building", the extension of The Core Shopping Mall leading toward The Bay.
La Maison Simons is a favorite shopping stop in Montreal (never been? Oh you must go. Leave France for another year, and head there for a true bonjoir experience). Now in Calgary, this department store works its way both sides of the Lancaster hallway, and is equipped with the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff I have yet met in a department store. They are everywhere, dressed in classy jackets, well groomed, and smiling. Product is tidy on their shelves, baskets, hangers and displays, easy to find, color coordinated, well arranged. Even more pleasing is the price of most items. It seems that Simons does not believe in inflating their costs, and hands the savings down to the shopper. Looking around at other shoppers, I noticed a rather relaxed demeanor. Not one clenched jaw, or languishing soul flipping through hanging messes or trying to flag down help. The warmth of the staff was actually contagious.
The designer store, 'Evito' is on the second floor of La Maison Simons. The pleasure of browsing original Designer pieces that are anything but ordinary is exciting in itself, and even more so when these amazing pieces go on sale. One such piece, a long ivory, wool coat, (Jacquemus, Le Souk) is a style one might describe as Downton Abbey meets Steampunk, and came down beyond my happiest dreams in price, a piece I will always cherish.
Happy to shop and needing to stop? May I recommend the Simons cafe, 'Eve', a culinary delight only equaled by the hot drinks that they serve. The staff are accommodating, quick and friendly, with the nicest sign I have ever read in a café: "NO TIPS PLEASE - It's our pleasure to serve you".
I think that if you shop here too, you will be made to feel like someone special. I did. Particularly when browsing my beautiful purchases at home, basking in the glory of really good deals.
Well, La Maison Simons, I award you Two Thumbs up for your layout, your staff, food and your prices. May your store be ever full, and your many friendly staff be always a-plenty. read more