Dear friends,
Over the years I am proud to have created a beautiful respite from the world. We have had great conversations and have forged new friendships. For that and every one of my guests I am so grateful.
Since 2016 to now, so much has changed in the world. And we have changed to keep in step with the challenges and opportunities of the new world.
A shoe store belongs to a world that is walking . . . And we have collectively changed the way we walk and shop in person for the most part. We have seen our online business grow with 70% of our sales in 2022 delivered to destinations beyond our city, province and country.
Since the beginning, I have always envisioned ZÖE in the global marketplace, combined with a premium in person shopping experience for those living in or visiting our city.
In January 2020, I initiated shopping by appointment, supported by our online store www.zoesshoes.com which was launched July 2017.
However, all the planning and visioning in the world could not have foretold how life could change in a heartbeat. As we traversed the pandemic in 2020, 2021, 2022 and onward, we have learned how connected we are as a global community as we collectively changed the way we walk, work and live. As we embark on the 4th year of this new world, my hope is that we remember that we are connected in this shared experience called life.
Values and the Moving Train
I think of values as those things for which one would stand in front of a moving train. Even if our values are unspoken, or unknown to us, what we do and how we interact with each other and ourselves reveals our values. The past three years has shone the light on our values, who we are, and what matters to us.
I look forward to a time when COVID19 is but a distant memory, but there will be other world events that impact us all. We cannot control these things, even though before COVID we thought we could.
But, as my dad would say, we can not control others, but we can control how we react. We do not have to be what has happened to us. We can decide, and do decide, either mindfully or not. Actions always reveal intention and so it is important to carry with us the knowledge that every day, every step is a step into the great unknown, as it always has been, and that we are connected.
What I do know for sure is that we can take nothing for granted, and what we value and how we act on our values matters more than ever before.
For me, my yoga practice as a teacher and a student has been my respite, where I find space to separate myself from the worries of the world so that I can be more of an observer and less of a player in the drama. And as a teacher, I do see people starting to come back to practice in the community, which gives me hope that once we find our way back to ourselves, we will find our way back to our community.
A Fresh Start
Over the years I am proud to have created a beautiful respite from the world. ZÖE Concept on 2120 Broad Street is that respite. It is a former yoga studio, which seems right in the world that we live in today. We continue to offer by appointment shopping during the week and public “old school Saturday” shopping.
February 1, 2023, is the beginning the 8th year for ZÖE and we find ourselves at the threshold of the unknown. Except now we know that is the way it is supposed to be. We adapt but we do not compromise.
Is she closing the business?
The answer is not today but in this new economy, a brick and mortar local business like ZÖE is not to be taken for granted. It is my choice to stay the path and evolve. And that's exciting.
I am looking forward to a fresh start and more ways to reach the global community and the hope that our city dwellers and visitors follow their feet to our lovely shop.
And so our 7th annual 2023 Birthday Bash is an important one because my goal is to clear out inventory in order to pave the way for new.
You are welcome to shop online and book appointments or come by on Saturday if you want to try on products before you buy them.
I look forward to seeing you, and serving you, both in the online and real time world of ZÖE.
Sincerely,
L