Boutique Firenze

Shop like a traveller Boutique Firenze offers fine European products

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

TOP Bettina Weber, owner of Boutique Firenze.

While globetrotting may be on hold for the time being, shoppers in this region can find a taste of European flavour close to home. Boutique Firenze, a London shop, specializes in items imported from Italy. This includes an extensive array of gloves, in a range of colours and styles unequalled outside that country, and colourful pashmina shawls and scarves from silk and cashmere to acrylic. As well there is a varied selection of unique Canadian-made products and giftware.

“It’s a destination shop, very much an old-fashioned shopping experience, unhurried and sensory with delicious smells and lots of things to look at,” says owner Bettina Weber. “I try to find products that I like, that make me smile, and hope they will have the same effect on my customers.”

Weber and her husband, Len Elliott, conceived the idea for the business after celebrating their wedding in the romantic Italian countryside. “We loved it so much we started thinking ‘what can we do to come here all the time?’”

Over the years, there have been countless sourcing and buying trips, resulting in a team of suppliers across Italy that Weber has come to know and appreciate, many are small family businesses. Her array of imports on display continues to grow: gloves from Florence and Naples, Murano glass jewellery from Venice, stationery, scarves and a delectable natural lemon dish soap from Florence.

At the same time, Weber is increasing her Canadian merchandise, such as the hats and purses from a local milliner, children’s toys by a London woodworker, placemats and aprons from refugee women at London’s World Tailors.

Recently her offerings have expanded to include safety items, such as handmade face masks, also fashioned locally by the World Tailors, including children’s sizes. From British Columbia, Weber carries masks and scarves featuring Indigenous designs by First Nations artisans.

There are also sustainability products like beeswax food wrap and the Lucky Iron Fish. This is a Canadian-invented cooking aid that adds natural iron to food, providing a valuable resource for people suffering from anemia.

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