Businesses on Granville Street have to be nimble on their feet even if theyre wearing Dr. Martens.
In 1983, Camouflage opened as a military supply store at Granville and Smithe. Thirty years later, you just have to go on its website and browse through everything from camouflage clothing and gear to $1,000 titanium knives to know that its stayed true to its roots. The store is both an online and retail destination for military enthusiasts.
But Granville is also a tourist destination. Thousands of people walk by the store as they cruise the entertainment district, enjoy dinner before a concert or look for something a little less conventional to buy. If a tourist wants a Canada patch or sticker to remind them of their trip to Vancouver, they can get it at Camouflage.
Manager Baseer Khudayar has worked at the store since he was 13. Asked for advice hed give to fellow merchants along the street, he says, Go with the trend. Be adaptable. You have to take a chance and if it works, its going to really work well. You have to be willing to change things around really fast.
A case in point: Dr. Martens. Once the favourite footwear of military types, they now march to many fashion drummers. Sales of the boots, as well as brands such as Converse, were taking off so Camouflage decided to open a store dedicated to shoes and boots. Luckily, the space next door became available and Khudayar and his brothers opened Zelen. (They wanted to name the store green to match the citys environmental roots and discovered the word zelen, which means green in Croatian.) Shoe sales have quintupled.
As much as there are aspects of Granville Street life that he doesnt like the souvenirs of late-night revellers who drank a little too much Khudayar really likes the feel of the street. Its probably going to be the newer Robson but it will be a little funky.
