Ottawa's Luxury Retailer Holt Renfrew
Holt Renfrew's Ottawa location can be found at 240 Sparks Street in the city's downtown. Originally founded in 1837 as a hat shop in Quebec City, Holt Renfrew grew to become one of the world's leading luxury retailers offering exceptional shopping experiences at its nine Canadian locations. It is a must-see for even the most discerning shopper.
Inside you will find Armani, Burberry London, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Hugo Boss and numerous attentive sales associates who will bend over backwards to help you meet the limit on your gold card. Even if you don't have the money to splurge on Chanel or Gucci, it is worth the trip just to visit the store and discretely observe the clientele.
Using the Queen Street entrance I descend into the men's department and take inventory of Ottawa's best-dressed mannequins. A couple of drop-dead gorgeous men are shopping together for jackets and they briefly look up as I struggle with the revolving door. I suddenly wish I had re-thought my outfit.
I veer sharply to my left and find myself looking at a wall of collared shirts sorted by colour and designer. It looks too perfect to touch though there's really no need since a sales associate is just a sigh away. Just in front of this wall of starched cotton is a display of tie clips and cuff links that offer something for everyone: compass cuff links for the off-roading executive; playfully coloured dice for the high-roller; and concentric circles for the retro honcho.
I continue along past the tidy cosmetic counter and its perfect arrangements of Clinique, Hermes, Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney. Thankfully, the associate is not randomly spraying unsuspecting customers today so I let out my breath and find my way to the handbags.
Like trophies on a mantle, Holt's handbags are displayed on shelves invisibly suspended high up on walls --- Fendi, Prada and Miu Miu out of my reach physically and financially.
Holt Renfrew has built a reputation on providing its clients with an extraordinary shopping experience that includes Personal Shoppers and a national concierge service. Patrons are welcomed to take advantage of the complimentary services of a Personal Shopper with in-store purchases or in place of a visit to the store. Too busy to pop in to Holt Renfrew? Send over your list and let a Personal Shopper take care of the rest. Just think of it...no more painstaking searches for the perfect birthday gift. Patrons visiting the city are also invited to contact the concierge service should they find themselves in need of reservations at the city's best restaurant or hard-to-get tickets for the hottest show in town.
I give one last wistful glance around and head for the exit as I try to evade the circling sales associates. I wonder what it must be like to work in this store and I recall scenes of Merle Streep tossing her wraps and coats around the set of Devil Wears Prada. Is it similar? I think of how stressful it would be for me just to put an outfit together in the morning for work. I'll bet that many a job interview ended before the introductions had even commenced.
If you loyally renew your annual subscriptions to Vogue and if your dream day includes a trip to Rodeo Drive, you need to visit Holt Renfrew on your next visit to Ottawa. If, however, you can't tell your Miu Miu from your Lou Lou and you, like me, just don't "get" fashion, you run the risk of exposing yourself to sticker shock. I'm not saying that you should avoid the store, I'm just saying that you should consider bringing some support --- like your loans officer, or a friend who is willing to pinch you from time to time.
If you love to shop, regardless of whether you are inclined to spend your money on brands or bargains, you have to stop by Holt Renfrew on your next trip to Ottawa. Remember, at 240 Sparks, it is all about the experience. Enjoy it!
