She Boutique ... a unique store that offers a great selection of stylish, well-made and affordable apparel & accessories

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She Boutique recently opened its doors for business on 6th Street in downtown Lethbridge. The store is already creating a buzz with customers who are excited about their excellent selection of stylish and affordable women's apparel and accessories.

The boutique is owned and operated by Marijke (Mar-y-ka) Reitsma. Marijke has been creating and designing clothes her entire life. She has applied her artistic talents and passion to a variety of creative outlets such as antique furniture restoration, classic car interior refurbishment, leather garments and jewellery. Prior to opening She Boutique, Marijke was the owner and head designer for Fitz Clothing Company which supplied upscale cotton clothing to boutiques across Canada and the U.S.

Creating accessories particularly appeals to Marijke because it requires attention to detail, color and texture ... her favorite trio. Marijke brings an interesting combination of art and craftsmanship to each of her creations. Only the finest materials are used in her handcrafted products that span both classic and contemporary designs.

She Boutique has provided Marijke with an excellent opportunity to showcase her personal flair for fashion. She enjoys helping her customers put together the perfect outfit for any occasion. Marijke and her knowledgeable staff pride themselves on offering a fun shopping experience combined with exceptional service and great selection. The store caters to the astute shopper who is looking for quality style at an affordable price.

Besides her own creations, Marijke has brought in a unique collection of clothing and accessory lines by H&J, Vejaiz, Fitz, Verucci, Venoto and Anne Marie Chagnon. There's something for everyone at her unique store with sizes ranging from 0-24. Scarves, handbags, belts, jewellery and quality fashions can all be found at She Boutique.

Make sure to visit She Boutique - 313 - 6 Street, South, Downtown Lethbridge. Phone (403) 942-4600.

Schnitzelhaus ... a little bit of Austria in downtown Lethbridge

Team Schnitzelhaus - Devon and Omid

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Although the Schnitzelhaus is a relatively new business to downtown Lethbridge, fast-food schnitzel restaurants are quite common in Austria - catering to their love for this tasty dish. The Schnitzelhaus' owner, Omid, brought the idea to Canada from Austria, where he lived for 12 years.

Schnitzel is a traditional Austrian dish and is a popular part of Viennese and Austrian cuisine. Schnitzel consists of a thin slice of meat coated in flour, egg wash, breadcrumbs, which is then fried. Variants of this popular dish are common around the world. Sshhnit-tsel ... that’s all there is too it. No tricks. No silent letters. Surprisingly, it even sounds the way it's spelled.

In Austria, the dish called Wiener Schnitzel (Viennese Schnitzel), is traditionally served with a lemon slice, lingonberry jam and either potato salad or potatoes with parsley and butter. While the traditional Wiener Schnitzel is made of veal, it is now sometimes made with pork or chicken. When schnitzel is prepared using pork, it is often called Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein (Austria) to differentiate it from the original. In Austria, the term Wiener Schnitzel is protected by law, and any schnitzel called by that name has to be made from veal.

Omid has put his own 'Canadian' twist on the traditional Austrian schnitzel and offers it to his customers in a variety of different combinations using either pork or chicken cutlets - Cordon Bleu (with ham and cheese), Hawaiian Cordon Bleu (with ham, cheese and pineapple), Emmentaler (cheese schnitzel), Rio Grande Cordon Bleu (with double ham and cheese); the popular Puzsta Cordon Bleu (with salami, cheese and red peppers) and Bauern Cordon Bleu (with bacon, onion and cheese). Although you can order your schnitzel on a plate with traditional mashed potatoes and a lemon slice, you can also opt to have it on a bun with french fries or poutine.

The next time you're in downtown Lethbridge and your looking for something a little different, make sure to check out the Schnitzelhaus located next to the Pita Pit (across from beautiful Galt Gardens Park) - 303 - 6th Street South. The Schnitzelhaus also offers home delivery service - call (403) 942-1500.

'Tour the World' at Ten Thousand Villages in Downtown Lethbridge

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Ten Thousand Villages is located in the heart of downtown Lethbridge on historic 'Round Street', in a beautifully renovated space next door to one of downtown Lethbridge's most popular meeting spots - The Penny Coffee House.

The newly renovated space, completed in 2008, provides customers with a warm and inviting atmosphere that's ideal for showcasing their wide selection of products. Customers are treated to a store that is filled with the vibrant colors, scents and textures of fairly-traded, uniquely handcrafted products that their non-profit organization has gathered from around the world. Their friendly and knowledgable staff take great delight in taking customers on a 'tour of the world' and inform them about fair-trade products and how it positively affects the lives of their many artisans and producers.

A history of helping artisans - Ten Thousand Villages began in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) worker, visited volunteers in Puerto Rico who were teaching sewing classes in an effort to help improve the lives of women living in poverty.

From this trip, Edna brought several pieces of embroidery home to sell to friends and neighbours. The pieces became quite popular and she soon added cross-stitch needlework from Palestinian refugees and hand-carved Haitian woodenware to her inventory.

In the early 1970s, the flourishing project moved out of Byler’s basement and became Selfhelp Crafts, an official MCC program. Thousands of loyal customers and volunteers have helped to build this program into the strong alternative trading organization that, in 1996, became known as Ten Thousand Villages.

Commerce with a conscience - Men and women around the world have a simple dream – to earn an honest living, provide a home, food and education for their children, and to be gainfully employed in a job that brings dignity and joy. Ten Thousand Villages partners with thousands of talented artisans in a healthy business relationship.

Often referred to as ‘Fair Trade,' their philosophy of helping to build a sustainable future is based on the principle that trade should have a conscience. Through Fair Trade, artisans receive respect, dignity and hope from working hard and earning fair value for their work.

Ten Thousand Villages is a Fair Trade Organization (FTO). FTOs are non-governmental organizations designed to benefit artisans, not to maximize profits. They market products from handicraft and agricultural organizations based in low-income countries, providing consumers with products that have been fairly purchased from sustainable sources.

Their beliefs guide their business - Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), a global network of Fair Trade Organizations. WFTO’s mission is to improve the livelihood and well-being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade organizations and speaking out for greater justice in world trade. Over 270 FTOs in 60 countries form the basis of this network.

Ten Thousand Villages is located at 329 - 5th Street South. For more information, contact the store at (403) 327-8077 or visit them online at www.tenthousandvillages.ca.

Painted Cottage ... your first stop in downtown for unique giftware and home decor!

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Painted Cottage started out with a simple mission - to build and sell custom-made furniture pieces that incorporated vintage reclaimed wood, glass and hardware. Husband and wife, Neil and Sandra Hahn, opened their business in Lethbridge Centre in 2003. Although their custom designed furniture is still very popular with customers, their business has developed into much more than what they originally planned on. Today, the store is one of downtown Lethbridge's favorite destination locations, catering to discriminating shoppers looking for unique gifts and home decor.

They recently made the move from Lethbridge Centre to 320 - 6th Street South. Their new store offers great storefront visibility and it's spacious, open-design is ideal for showcasing their extensive selection of product lines such as Willow Tree sculpture, Bearington Baby Collection, Marie Collection, Espe, LUG, Gourmet Village, The Cocoa Room, World Traveler Bracelets, Gourmet Village and many, many more.

Next time you're in downtown Lethbridge make sure to stop in at Painted Cottage. Neil and Sandra pride themselves on offering exceptional customer service and one of the widest selections of gifts and home decor in southern Alberta. For more information, visit their website at www.paintedcottage.org or call them at (403) 394-1704. Painted Cottage - #320 - 6th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone!

The Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) would like to take this opportunity to wish all of its valued customers and clients a safe, enjoyable holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Free Two-hour Parking for Christmas Shoppers!

City Council recently approved a recommendation by the Downtown BRZ and the Downtown Redevelopment Steering Committee (DRSC) to provide two-hour regulated parking in the downtown for the Christmas shopping season. During this period of time, shoppers will not have to plug meters and will have up to two-hours to dine, meet for coffee or stroll through the downtown searching for that perfect gift.

The two-hour regulated parking will be in effect from December 7-25, 2009. The parking meters included in the program will be covered for the entire duration, with bags displaying a two-hour parking sign. If a parking meter is not covered, it is in operation. This includes all 38 minute and 10-hour parking meters, as well as, a small number of parking meters adjacent to businesses who have requested that their meters remain in operation.

Lethbridge Shelter clients making a 'clean sweep' of downtown Lethbridge

The Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) is proud to be involved in a great program that is having a significant impact on the downtown experience. For years, the BRZ and the City of Lethbridge have struggled with keeping sidewalks, gutters and lanes free of debris. Although the Summer Ambassador Program, which employs high school students, does an excellent job of keeping our streets clean from July through August, the build-up of unsightly garbage during the balance of the year was an ongoing challenge. The Employment Rejuvenation Program (ERP) has changed all of that. The program is a partnership between the Lethbridge Shelter and Resource Centre, the City of Lethbridge (Downtown Redevelopment Steering Committee - DRSC) and the BRZ.

Besides a cleaner downtown, a variety of social benefits are realized as a result of this important program. Shelter clients are paid a minimum wage for the hours they spend cleaning our streets and lanes. The program helps to provide participating clients with the tools necessary to become more employable and to eventually re-enter the workforce. It also provides them with the opportunity to give back to our community.

Everyone is a winner as a result of this program. The community benefits because the downtown is much cleaner. The clients benefit because it has positively impacted their lives in a variety of ways.

Many individuals from the business community have made the point to interact with the ERP members by saying thank-you and offering coffee on cold winter mornings. Others, such as Les from LOGOS Embroidery have supplied hoodies to the ERP team, to go along with coveralls that were recently provided by the BRZ.

Here are a few comments that have been received in response to the program;

"It was a delight coming to work each day during the summer season with the streets clean for the first-time since I have been working in the downtown. My customers also commented on the lack of garbage swirling around in the winds. Thanks very much for cleaning up the downtown core ... it is very much appreciated."

"They are doing such an excellent job, that I wanted to say 'thank-you' to the City of Lethbridge for hiring them and to the men and women who are getting up that early and doing such a good job. I hope that everyone who comes across them will give them a wave and tell them 'thanks' for their hard work. It is a real pleasure now to walk through the downtown."

"As a citizen born and raised in Lethbridge, may I extend a heartfelt thank-you to all the wonderful workers who clean our downtown streets. You are indeed a very special group of workers who do a very important service in this community. Our downtown streets have never looked better or cleaner. Please know that you are so very much appreciated!"

The Shoe Tree ... where shoes are everything!

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Jan Kostiw from The Shoe Tree takes some time out of her day to walk us around her store located on the beautiful, tree-lined Festival Square (6th Street South) in downtown Lethbridge.

She started her retail shoe business in 1999 on 4th Avenue. Jan built it from scratch ... contacting suppliers, designing, painting and renovating her new store. After a number of successful years of operation as a tenant in her 4th Avenue space, she recently made the move to her own heritage building on 6th Street. Once again, this new, larger space had to be totally renovated and remodelled. The result ... one of most inviting retail spaces in the downtown core.

Jan and her experienced staff, Kim and Cassie, take great pride in providing their customers with exceptional product knowledge and service. They always strive to make a difference with their customers and to create a positive shopping experience.

Although the store is located in a relatively small city, Jan has managed to stock her store with a 'little bit of everything' in order to satisfy the needs of her customers (Ecco, Franko Sarto, Birkenstock, Hush Puppies, Due Fratelli, Trotters, Sofft, Miss Mac, Romika, NAOT, El Natura Lista, Miz Mooz, MBT, Clarks and many, many other great shoe lines). From dress shoes, to walking shoes, to shoes with removeable footbeds and everything in-between, The Shoe Tree is 'the place' for shoes in Lethbridge. Although her customers are predominantly women, she also carries an impressive selection of quality men's shoes (Merrell, Echo, Rockport and Blundstone from Australia).

Besides shoes, they 'love' their boots and handbags at The Shoe Tree and so do their customers. From flat to high heel, from mid-heel to wedge ... they stock an impressive selection of boots. While in the store make sure to check out their great selection of handbags by Derek Alexander and stunning, custom-crafted handbags by a new, up-and-coming designer from Montreal - Mary-Ann Keverian (Miss MAK).

When you're in the market for new shoes or are looking for something to compliment your wardrobe, make sure to stop into The Shoe Tree in downtown Lethbridge - 326 - 6th Street South.

For more information about The Shoe Tree, call (403) 328-9484.