Edmonton Welcomes Crate and Barrel

The atmosphere was that of an upscale house party yesterday evening at the opening of the new Crate and Barrel in Southgate Centre, Edmonton’s first outlet of the U.S. furniture and decor store.

Crate and Barrel sells an array of home decor items, from reclaimed-wood coffee tables to Hanukkah decorations. But judging from the magnetic attraction people had to their kitchen section yesterday, it’s the wares and gadgets that might have the strongest pull.

Crate & Barrel - Edmonton Store Launch Party from odvod media on Vimeo.

The store also carries brands outside of its house-line, including bedding by Marimekko and kitchen appliances by Cuisinart.

There were two types of busy queues at yesterday’s event, one at the open bar for the grand opening and one at the checkout counters. Obviously, Edmontonians have been anticipating this medium-end design company to set up in their backyard.

According to Victoria Lang, director of public relations for the Illinois-based company, it’s been a long time coming. The company has been seeking a spot in Edmonton for quite some time, but it requires a specific size for all its sections of décor and a chance to have an “outside presence,” meaning the Crate and Barrel logo should be on the exterior of the building.

At Southgate, the company was finally able to find 17,000-square-feet of retail space and a large warehouse to store its stock.

Crate and Barrel is donating a portion of all sales until Sunday to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.