bizlife
They have it covered
Custom Shades makes strong entrance
ABOVE FROM LEFT Patty Dawling, Wes Petch (Owner), Janice Brock (owner), Caroline Regier, Diane Shea
By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
I
n just a few months, Custom Shades of London has become a go-to retailer for window treatments. Despite opening June 1, in the wake of the pandemic shutdown, business has been good, says Janice Brock, co-owner with Wes Petch. “People are dropping in. We’re getting a lot of regular business. It’s primarily walk-in traffic.” She credits an online presence and word-of-mouth referrals. “We’ve had a lot of great referrals, and we pride ourselves on that,” Brock says. “We’ve built our business on our reputation.” Brock and Petch opened the London store as a sister location to Custom Covers For Home and Office, which they’ve operated in Exeter for 15 years. Both locations are Hunter Douglas gallery stores, with staff certified by
the prominent global manufacturer of custom window blinds, shades, shutters and draperies. Gallery stores are the company’s designated highest level for its dealers. “You can come in and see everything Hunter Douglas has to offer, including their specialized automation treatments, the up-and-coming element,” Brock says. Installer Patrick Alber has been trained as a professional in the company’s signature PowerView Automation. These are motorized treatments that can be programmed and controlled remotely by smart technology. Custom Shades fabricates its own draperies and home décor items, like cushions and upholstery. Workroom specialist Cecelia Corbett has extensive experience in refurbishing marine, automotive and aviation interiors.
The stores also carry fabrics, rugs and a full line of bedding products from Canadian companies. These include Cuddle Down, an Ottawa-based manufacturer of duvets, pillows and bed linens that were formerly a staple at London’s Kingsmills department store. Custom Shades’ interior designers work with customers in the stores and at in-home consultations to help them create their ideal vision by coordinating window coverings, decor, bedding and fabrics. Brock says their work includes a mix of new homes, renovations and updates. As the London business continues to grow, they hope to make more connections with local designers and contractors. n
● FOR MORE INFORMATION • CUSTOM SHADES OF LONDON • 1422 Fanshawe Park Road West • 519-601-4443 • www.customshadesoflondon.ca CUSTOM COVERS FOR HOME AND OFFICE • 415 Main Street, Exeter • 519-235-2444 • www.customcoversontario.ca 62 Lifestyle September/October 2020
