SHOE BUSINESS: Despite an economic slump, William Wright Ingledew, with a penchant for shoes, founded Ingledew’s Shoe in 1915 next to the Hudson’s Bay Company. A century later, the family-owned and operated business continues to sell shoes for both men and women across the province. Now in its third generation, the retailer has grown from one store on Granville Street to six outlets across B.C. The largest location, its newly renovated flagship store on West Hastings Street in the former Chanel space, opened in time for the company’s centennial celebrations. CEO Bill Ingledew, grandson of the store founder, welcomed shoe enthusiasts, media personalities and longtime customers, including billionaire Jimmy Pattison, to the store’s anniversary party.
MIRROR, MIRROR: Looking Glass Foundation hosted its 11th annual heartwarming gala at Rocky Mountaineer Station. The event, which brings together clinicians, doctors, families and friends to help make life brighter for individuals in British Columbia who suffer with eating disorders, attracted 500 guests to the foundation’s Light The Way dinner and auction. Emceed by Pamela Martin, attendees filled the station for a lavish evening of fun and philanthropy. Cofounded in 2002 by dedicated parents seeking improved care for their loved ones suffering from eating disorders of every kind, the event has become the charity’s single largest fundraiser supporting life-saving treatment at their 14-bed Looking Glass recovery centre at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver. More than $430,000 was raised from the night.
MORE SUCCESS: The Bridge to SUCCESS gala is always a leading date on the Chinese social calendar. This year’s running in the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Bayshore Hotel was no exception. Co-chairs Doug Chiu, Jonathan Lai, Grant Lin and Linda Wong welcomed back Bianca Wu, Hong Kong’s “Queen of Jazz,” for an encore performance as the headliner of this year’s signature soiree. More than 800 supporters — shelling out up to $800-a-ticket — attended the marathon event, which began with a champagne reception, followed by a host of speeches before a three-course dinner, auction and mini concert. The annual effort aimed to once again generate $500,000 to benefit SUCCESS’s many social services and settlement programs for new residents and those in need, particularly seniors and youth.
