Our business here at dekor butik is largely based on window covering sales and service. Hard window coverings – or blinds, shades & shutters – that are produced by exceptional standards from renowned companies; that are in majority, not manufactured in Canada.
While we support wholeheartedly choosing Canadian companies, recent conversations with clients and colleagues around tariffs and supporting Canadian made only have raised some concerns for window covering suppliers like us. Many window covering consumers can find themselves working with ‘local suppliers’ who sell poor quality, cheap, albeit ‘locally made’ window coverings, unaware of the potential downsides to those purchases – and we feel this will be exacerbated in our current climate.
At dekor butik, we retail top brands including Hunter Douglas and Alta Window Fashions. These companies invest significantly in new product & fabric development, testing, quality & safety standards, GREENGUARD certifications & high-level warranty; all while abiding to new Canadian window covering laws and regulations. We choose to supply these products to our clients for these reasons, as we want to provide a product that we can feel proud of and stand behind. Largely, these products are manufactured in the US and Mexico.
In contrast, many ‘locally made’ (or garbage, sorry!!) window covering ‘retailers’ in Calgary operate without the same level of accountability. Basic manufacturing out of small local workshops, minimal options, produced with parts and materials lacking the necessary quality to offer long term satisfaction. ’Salespeople’ pushing these products are there to do just that – sell you something, anything – to make the sale. Driving their pricing down to the bottom as a way to incentivise consumers, and usually not to be found when quality concerns arise. Typically, not operating with licenses and insurance – these businesses are here today and gone tomorrow. Businesses producing ‘locally made’ product take away the opportunity for consumers to work with a company like ours, creating confusion and misinforming customers.
Our belief is that window coverings are not a commodity product. Who you purchase your window coverings from is equally as important as what you are purchasing. Window Coverings are an important part of everyday living – they are typically an investment purchase that needs to be carefully considered with the goal that you may live to enjoy them as aesthetically pleasing and functional elements in your home for many years to come. We are experts in our field – we are educated & experienced interior designers that sell window coverings; a specialized, complex trade. dekor butik is a legitimate business; incorporated, with the required licences, bonds, and insurances. We treat each window covering project as we would any design project. We ask questions, we dig in, we find you the right product for your lifestyle. We ensure our clients’ satisfaction, and we are here when you need support. Our goal is to serve you, not to sell you. Contrary to popular belief, we do have options at all price points – high to low, and can support any budget.
The imminent trade landscape raises questions for many consumers ‘What am I buying, and where is it coming from’. We agree it is essential to support Canadian made wherever possible, however, it is equally crucial to understand that supporting local businesses that recognize the value of quality made products, regardless of their manufacturing location, is also important. Without this understanding, many small local businesses – including ours – will be it tight situations.
The reality is that many quality products, including window coverings, are not manufactured in Canada. Unfortunately, with limited well produced hard window covering offerings, we just don’t have a comparable top tier resource made in Canada to source from.
While I will be making further cuts to sourcing from the US in other areas of our business – furniture, lighting, décor, etc. – unfortunately hard window coverings will continue to come from the US and Mexico manufacturing plants, and I ask of you as a consumer to continue to support this. Support us because we are a dying breed of brick-and-mortar shops with our doors open willing and able to help you. Support us and other local businesses, because if you don’t, we are going to see an unbelievable amount of small business death – as if we haven’t seen enough. We opened our new location here at 5 – 4655 37 Street S.W. in September 2023. Since then, my favorite days are those when a customer stops by and takes the time to chat; we find the connections with each other in the most surprising ways. Our clients become our friends, and they know where to find us if they need. This is why we have our doors open to you – because we believe in that human connection, and we believe that there is still a place for it in our economy. Supporting us and other small business locations regardless of product offering will continue to be crucial in keeping our local economy moving – now, during an imminent trade war, and ongoing.
To make a positive impact, please consider avoiding online retailers such as:
Amazon.
Wayfair (a curse word for interior designers).
Walmart Marketplace.
And all similar big-box stores & marketplaces.
There are many local shops, including ours, that genuinely care and can help source products while providing exceptional service. This is how you support local, even when it is not the most convenient or the least expensive option.
Thank you for your support,
Rachel