STEPIN' OUT

As a teenager, Lori Yelizarov knew she was a budding fashionista when she had to negotiate a clothing allowance with her father. As an adult, it made sense that she would end up working in the fashion industry. Lori was the manager of Current Fashions at Blundell Centre for ten years and in 2013 she purchased Stepin' Out on Moncton Street, Steveston’s one-stop shop for women’s shoes, clothing, and accessories.

The original owner spelled Stepin' with a single “p” as a play on words, to invite people to step into the shoe store. Today, Stepin' Out sells clothing alongside shoes.

When Current Fashions closed, Lori was eager to continue working and approached the owners of Stepin' Out to see if they would be interested in taking her on as a part-time employee. After a few months, they offered to sell Lori the business. She says, “I thought, it’s now or never. I saw it as an opportunity, so I went for it!”

Lori began to make the business her own. She eliminated children’s shoes and introduced women’s fashion which now makes up fifty per cent of her merchandise.

Stepin' Out has won Richmond News' Best of Richmond for eight consecutive years.

For a small Steveston shop to place first running against large national shoe stores is an honour and attests to the personal service that independent merchants offer their customers.

Lori is actively involved in all areas of the business, from working regularly at the store to buying and merchandising, which she loves. She remarks, “Well done displays are extremely important so people can see outfits put together.”

Twice a year she attends shoe shows where she makes selections for the upcoming season. She says with a laugh, “It’s a bit of a guessing game when it comes to choosing what the most popular colours and sizes will be.” She adds, “Shoes are ordered far in advance. The spring/ summer order was placed in September, and I will purchase fall/winter 2022 in February.”

Two of the store’s most popular footwear lines are the German-made sister brands Rieker and Remonte. Both brands are committed to making modern designs from high-quality materials. Their longevity speaks to their success; Rieker dates back to 1874 and Remonte has been going strong for over 100 years.

Each season Stepin' Out carries 30 styles of Rieker and Remonte. People love, love, love them and you can’t find them anywhere else locally.

Lori remarks, “When I order shoes, I always keep in mind Stepin' Out is a boutique, so I select shoes that complement our clothing lines.”

Vionic makes fun and colourful running shoes with built-in orthotics. GEOX is a well-known brand that makes fashionable walking shoes. Bueno from Turkey and Wonders from Spain are also very popular brands.

New to the store, and sure to be a hit for the chilly holiday season, Gema slippers from Spain come in playful patterns featuring coffee cups, cats, and owls. By popular request, men’s slippers are also available and make a great gift for those hard to buy for gentlemen on your list.

Portuguese-made ankle rain boots by Lemon Jelly are as cute as a button and will make you wish for a rainy day. Lori says, “They actually smell like lemons!”

Tribal is by far the store’s most popular clothing line. This fashion-forward Canadian company offers well-priced clothing, which makes customers feel great on both counts. Gift alert! Tribal’s prewrapped pajama set that includes an eye cover is sure to be this season’s sleeper.

Last year, Lori introduced another Canadian line, Joseph Ribkoff, which is known for its collection of contemporary and classic garments.

Lori says, “The store appeals to all women. We carry young and funky clothing as well as classic and sophisticated apparel. Our customers range from 35 years old up to 100.” She adds, “What makes this store so special is the one-on-one rapport with our customers. They become our friends. It’s a comfortable place where people feel at home thanks in part to our customer service and the details we put in.”

If you are looking for a gift such as a scarf, an outfit, or a pair of shoes, we’ve got it all.

Staff members Toby and Faye have been with Lori since day one. Three additional part-time staff, Barb, Robyn, and Margaret, are also assets to the business. The staff strive to make customers feel comfortable and leave having had a good experience. Lori comments, “If they find something that’s great, and if not, that’s ok too. We are here to help. It’s a fun environment. Some people come in just to visit.” to neighbouring business Steveston Seafood House that graciously allows Stepin' Out to use their space to hold afternoon fashion shows and trunk shows. The next trunk show features Joseph Ribkoff on January 22, 2022. Contact the store if you are interested in finding out more details.

Stevestonites have been incredibly supportive during the pandemic. Customers have said they don’t need an item but will purchase something to see the business succeed during this tough time.

“There is such a strong sense of community here. We look out for each other. I feel very fortunate to have a store in Steveston—there’s nowhere else like it,” Lori says.

Stepin' Out 3991 Moncton Street Richmond, BC V7E 3A7

Telephone 604-304-0602

www.stepinout.ca