A window into the world of Roots
Issue 97 • Sept. - Oct. 2010
Left to right: Ed Cox, Don Green, Karl Kowalewski, Michael Budman and Suresh Dureja
Ilich Mejia
IN GOOD HANDS
With its proven expertise in the design and manufacturing of leather goods, Roots goes back to its origins, making quality footwear in Canada
Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
The Source • 1
I N S I D E ISSUE97 DELIVERING THE GOODS Roots officially launches the Roots Delivers program MARCHING TO A DIFFERENT DRUM New video featuring Roots x Douglas Coupland line and music by The Most Serene Republic
ATLANTIC MAGIC Roots draws inspiration from the Eastern moors for its fall campaign HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA! Ottawa stores come together to throw a party for Canada MAKING TRACKS Scarborough store employees take co-worker’s diagnosis in stride MAKING THE PAST COME ALIVE Eva Lee puts her great diligence to good use as she brings order to Roots history
Departments FINE PRINT GREAT MOMENTS IN RETAIL NEW & NOTEWORTHY STAYING POWER GREEN TIP HEALTH TIP
Publishers MICHAEL BUDMAN, DON GREEN Editor ROBERT SARNER Editorial Assistant CAROLINE IWANOWSKI Interns RACHELLE CUEVAS NADIA MALIK ALIX KEMPF The Source is published by Roots Canada Ltd. We welcome letters from readers for publication. Please address all correspondence to The Source, Letters to the Editor, Roots Canada, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6B 4C4 or by email to thesource@roots.com Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Each issue of The Source is also available, both in blog and PDF formats, on the Roots website at www.roots.com
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Ilich Mejia
A TIMELY RESPONSE IT Dept. worked tirelessly to restore connectivity at Head Office
SPECIAL DELIVERY
A selection of recent letters from the world of Roots HELPING KIDS We would like to thank Roots for its kind support of our work with children through your donation to the recent Dare Arts Leadership Awards Gala auction. Your contribution helped raise more than $33,000. Your generous contribution and continued support are helping Dare Arts to provide 10,000 Canadian children annually with arts education as a means to build self-discipline, self-esteem and leadership. On behalf of the children, thank you for being part of their lives. Marilyn Field Dare Arts Foundation Palgrave, Ontario IN THE BAG Ahead of a trip to Stockholm, Sweden, I needed a new handbag for traveling. I didn’t want to bring something too big or ostentatious, but rather a bag that would be chic and functional. At the Roots Saskatoon store in Saskatchewan, the retail reps were wonderful and suggested I special-order a Village Bag. I ordered a white bag with a light tan strap and gold hardware. It arrived two weeks later (I expected to wait a month or so), and it looked incredible. This was my first bag purchase from Roots. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that prior to this purchase,
I had always written off Roots as a “store for people who camp,” but now I will recommend the Roots experience to anyone who compliments my bag. I’m impressed with the bag itself (I received many compliments overseas) and especially with your customer service – from the in-store experience through the ordering process and timely manufacture and delivery of my bag. Thank you. Nicole Hawkins Saskatoon, Saskatchewan GREAT SERVICE On a recent visit to the Mayfield Common Shopping Centre in Edmonton, my daughter and I received exceptional service from the staff at the Roots store. Three employees were working there at the time, and all were extremely helpful. The service and atmosphere in the store allowed us to enjoy our time and pick up some great deals. Even better, the place was spotless. Clearly, the employees in this location have received excellent training and are able to provide prompt service without the customer feeling hounded. Bravo! Charmaine Brooks Edmonton, Alberta DOING RIGHT On behalf of the Sick Kids Foundation, I’d like to thank
Roots for the generous donation of a new women’s leather purse for our recent annual Gift Gala. The event, along with other fundraising efforts, provides Sick Kids Hospital incredible financial support. Without friends and supporters like you, the event wouldn’t have been such a success. The support Sick Kids receives from the community is integral to achieving the worldleadership role to which we aspire. Thanks to philanthropically inclined companies like yours, who understand the importance of making our children’s health a priority, Sick Kids can conduct groundbreaking health research to educate the scientists and healthcare leaders of tomorrow, and to provide our patients with the absolute best care the world has to offer. Thank you for believing in the transformational power of philanthropy and for believing in the work of our Hospital. Because you believe, countless sick children will not only feel better – they will be better, too. Pamela Osorio-Kettle Sick Kids Foundation, Toronto
EXPRESS YOURSELF We invite you to send us your letters and/or your most creative photos or illustrations for publication in The Source. Please send your submissions to photogallery@roots.com
Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
DEEP ROOTS
True to the early years of the company, Roots is returning to making fine footwear at its state-of-the-art factory in Toronto and featuring it in many of its stores. By NADIA MALIK
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pstairs in the offices that overlook the Roots leather factory on Caledonia Avenue in Toronto, Roots Co-Founder Michael Budman and Leather Expert Karl Kowalewski pore over every last detail for the new footwear collection. They discuss which leathers to use – the Desert Boot in Tribe is a must. Karl shows Michael a sample of the new Russian Vamp Half Boot, finished only moments earlier on the factory floor below. Michael’s pleased with how the sole looks but questions the colour of the stitching. They look at other options before Karl excuses himself to take a call from the tannery about developing a new suede for the line. It’s evident that Michael and Karl’s passion for footwear and attention to detail are every bit as strong as they were in 1973, when Michael and fellow Roots Co-Founder Don Green first worked with the Kowalewski family to create the negative heel shoe. Footwear has been noticeably absent from store shelves in recent years. However, that all changed last fall, with the introduction of select styles, which proved to be extremely popular with customers. On September 7, the company will launch a new line of shoes and boots in even more designs and colours in 30 stores across Canada. Currently available online and in select stores, the collection includes several enduring styles that will appeal to a variety of tastes (See sidebar on next page). Footwear is in line with the company’s goal of selling products that are both functional and essential to daily life. Moreover, getting back into footwear allows the company to provide customers with a more complete shopping experience. From hats to hoodies to shoes, people can meet virtually all of their apparel needs at Roots. The line benefits from the Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
Roots employees, many of whom have worked decades at the leather factory in Toronto, bring great skills and dedication to their work
knowledge and expertise of the Kowalewski family, who have been involved with Roots since its inception. It was Jan Kowalewski who made the first Roots shoes with his sons. “My father Jan was a master shoemaker who instilled in us the importance of quality and ethics in shoemaking,” says Karl. “He taught us that there are no shortcuts when making quality footwear. We create shoes that are strong and sturdy and made to last.” This sentiment is echoed by Michael, who considers Karl “one of the world’s leading experts on leather with tremendous expertise in shoemaking.” When the leather team started working on the new line of footwear last winter, they began the design process from
scratch to ensure the collection met their high standards. The first task was to design and create a new “last” to ensure a proper fit and a classic toe design which would outlast any short-term fashion trend. When it came to the soles, the team knew exactly who they wanted to make them. The soles are made in Quebec by the same company that made them for the negative heel shoe in 1973. It consists of a composition rubber combined with a natural latex, which makes it durable and flexible and provides excellent traction. Like the military sole, it can withstand changes in the weather, adding to the collection’s versatility. Michael anticipates that the new line will draw more customers into stores.
“Footwear will really broaden our reach by bringing more men back to Roots,” he says. “Unlike clothing, men need to try shoes on in store. Once they come in, they’ll start to browse the rest of our products. As we saw last year, the boots were very popular with women and we expect the new styles to be as well.” Regular customers will be pleased to find the line available in several of their favourite leathers. Tribe leather, a popular choice for Roots bags because of its quality and resilience, is an option, as is Rustler leather. There are also new materials, including Vesuvio, an Italian suede with a luxurious nap and feel. In keeping with its strong commitment to customer service, the company stands behind its products and can provide services that most shoe retailers in Canada cannot. For example, if customers notice the soles of their shoes beginning to wear out over time, Roots will re-sole the shoes for a small fee. Like all Roots leather goods, the footwear is made in Canada at the state-of-the-art leather factory. The facility had to be modified to accommodate the size and scope of the new line. The previous space used last winter was too small and as a result a new, larger area was designated for manufacturing shoes. New lighting and air conditioning units were installed along with a fresh coat of paint. New sewing machines were also added. The company’s reentrance into footwear has created new jobs as it hired more sewing machine operators as well as additional staff to assemble the shoes. Given that the company got its start in shoes, it seems only fitting that many of the key members behind the new line are the ones who first launched the negative heel back in 1973. Michael oversaw the project Continued on next page The Source • 3
The just launched ad campaign for the new line of shoes and boots is inspired largely by the original ads for Roots in the 1970s Continued from previous page
from start to finish. Karl was responsible for making patterns and Henry Kowalewski managed the manufacturing process. All three contributed to design ideas along with Don Green, Denyse Green and Diane Bald. Henry was instrumental in the return of Roots to footwear. It was prompted by a visit last year to a shopping mall with his daughter in search of new shoes. When he couldn’t find a decent pair, he thought, why couldn’t Roots fill the void in the market? He spoke to Karl, Michael and Don and they ultimately agreed that Roots should get back into shoes and boots. “It was great to see this project reach fruition,” says Henry. “It’s the source of much pride for us to be making footwear again in our factory in
THE GOODS
New line of shoes and boots made for walking he Desert Boot is a reissue of the classic, first sold at Roots in 1973. Available for both men and women, it comes in a variety of colours and leathers. The Brogue Bootie for women is a stylish lace-up boot with a classic wing tip toe. With its perforations and contrast stitching, it has a beautiful and timeless look. Last fall’s Russian Vamp Tall Boot is back, along with the new Half Boot. Both styles can be dressed up or down to go from day to night. Other favourites that will be available again this season include the Tuffer Boot, the Nordic Boot and the Kamik. Look for more winter boots to be launched later this year.
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Toronto as there’s virtually no shoe industry left in Canada. Karl and I worked closely for nearly two years on developing all the necessary components for the design and manufacturing of footwear that are simple, comfortable, stylish and made of the best materials possible. For the labour, we used our core group of skilled people in our factory and are expanding around them.” Ed Cox, who has been with the company since 1975, sees the simplicity of the new line as its key to success. “The line is about comfort and style,” says Ed. “With the Desert Boots, the riding boots and the upcoming sheepskin boots, it’s about keeping it simple and keeping it right.” A new member of the Roots team is Suresh Dureja, Director of Manufacturing. He came to Roots in the spring from Canada Goose with more than 20 years of experience in the field. Suresh is responsible for managing the factory floor, order planning, scheduling and ensuring all deliveries are made on time. While new to the company, Suresh knows the quality of Roots shoes firsthand. “I’ve been wearing the desert boots in tribe leather on the factory floor,” he says. “I’m on my feet all day and the shoes have proven very comfortable and breathable.” It’s an ideal time for Roots to make footwear again. In recent years, long-time customers expressed their desire for the company to get back into shoes. Moreover, there was a distinct void in the market that needed to
be filled. “Henry and I saw a lack of well-made, properly fitting shoes of a good quality and reasonable price,” says Karl. “You could go to the mall and buy inexpensive shoes that didn’t fit very well or go to [downtown Toronto’s] Bloor Street to a very high-end store and pay a lot of money to get a well-made shoe.” Jarar Kazmi, Executive Director of Retail Operations, sees great potential in the new line. “It’s exhilarating to witness the re-launch of Roots footwear,” says Jarar. “Our shoes, like our bags, are made in Canada and truly reflect the Roots quality. The staff in our stores are looking forward to present these to our customers who have long awaited the return of Roots shoes. We’re excited and we’re ready.” All of the Roots stores built or renovated in 2009 and 2010 have had a shoe department incorporated into their design. Since then, they’ve been used for something else until the shoes are fully stocked in the stores.
“We first began thinking about how best to incorporate a shoe department in select stores last year,” says Pauline Landriault, Director of Planning and Development. “It started with a special shoe table that we tested and then evolved into custom size shipping palettes to display the shoes. The design was inspired by a photograph that Jarar (Kazmi) showed me. As part of the shoe department, it was important to have a comfortable chair for customers to sit in while trying on shoes. We developed a version of the Classic Harp chair from Roots Home, which is easy to get in and out of, is ergonomically correct, very stable and good for all ages. As the fixture design is flexible, it can be moved anywhere in the store.” Despite what some may think, nostalgia was not a driving force behind the relaunch. “One of the key pillars of the Roots brand is footwear,” says Michael. “In this great future, don’t forget your past. We respect our past, but we don’t dwell on it.”
Built to last, Roots footwear is the perfect way to step into fall Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
DELIVERING THE GOODS
After months of planning, Roots will officially launch the Roots Delivers program in stores in September
Roots Delivers will replace the current system of store-to-store transfers
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his fall, in keeping with the company’s commitment to providing the best customer service possible, Roots is rolling out a new initiative called Roots Delivers. The service will be available in stores across Canada in September and will be introduced in ‘Roots 73’ outlet locations next year. Using a new inventorytracking program sourced by James Connell, Senior Director of E-commerce and New Media, and Robin Nelson, Director of Information Technology, staff will now be able to look up a product, confirm its availability, and process the sale, with only a few quick keystrokes. Best of all, thanks to this innovation, items purchased through the Roots
Delivers program will then be shipped directly to the customer’s home or workplace. Roots Delivers was first launched in May as a pilot project in five Toronto-area stores. Over the two months that followed, the success of the project was closely monitored by Supervisor of Customer Service, Bethany Peckham, who helps train staff, track shipping times and troubleshoot issues. In July, five additional stores in Ontario introduced the pilot program to their customers. “Initially, we chose stores that were close together to avoid huge shipping costs and allow us to check for glitches in the system,” says Bethany. “The program was designed to check
for availability in participating stores and, once found, ship items from the store that is closest to the customer’s address.” Roots Delivers will replace the current system of store-tostore transfers that can leave customers disappointed and staff frustrated. Using the current system, retail staff check inventory counts at the register but must still call other locations to confirm availability, as inventory levels are not updated until the end of the business day. The new application creates a virtual real-time inventory of products that is updated every 15-20 minutes, resulting in a much more accurate and timely inventory count. When a product is sold through the Roots Delivers program, a request automatically prints at the shipping location while a realtime message flashes across the register screen to alert staff to the order. “The Never Lose a Sale program that preceded Roots Delivers allowed staff to complete a sale of an item and have it shipped to a customer’s home from another retail location, but it was a stock balancing night-
mare,” says Robin. “By automating inventory counts, this application gives us the ability to always have the right products, in the right place, at the right time.” Shoppers will appreciate the enhanced service because, once staff have located the product in the system, the sale can be completed immediately, securing the order and avoiding the potential for disappointment. Additionally, instead of requiring the customer to return to the store to collect his or her order, which can be time consuming and inconvenient, items are shipped to the customer’s home or work. The program, which was customized to work with existing applications, such as the Roots Rewards program, not only enhances customer service at the retail level, it records every search performed by sales staff. “This allows Head Office staff to review inquiries in the system and adjust buying behaviour to reflect demand for particular items,” says Jarar Kazmi, Executive Director of Retail Operations. “It’s one more way we’re working to improve customer service.”
IN THESE JEANS Roots teams up with “master of denim” French designer Jean Touitou
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ver its 37-year history, Roots has always been highly selective in what it puts its stamp on. Not only must the product be true to the Roots aesthetic, it must also exemplify the quality for which Roots is known. The latest example is the men’s denim jeans from prominent French designer Jean Touitou, founder and owner of Paris-based acclaimed label APC (Atelier de Production et de Creation). With more than 35 stores around the world, including in New York, Hong Kong and Los Angeles, APC is the epitome of effortless cool for men and women alike. Their simple basics may look simple on the surface, but are the result of an obsessive, painstaking process. The collaboration is not a first
Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
Touitou’s jeans use Japanese denim, a favourite with fashion connoisseurs
for Touitou, who has worked with Roots several times in the past and is a long-time friend of
Roots Co-Founder Don Green. Roots Denim Jeans by Jean Touitou are made of premium
Japanese denim (a current favourite among denim connoisseurs) and are available in two styles: straight leg and slim straight. While most denim companies have abandoned traditional production techniques and dyes, APC uses dry or unwashed denim, which gives each pair a distinctive look and feel. Selected in 2004 as GQ magazine’s “coolest man in France,” Touitou was previously an accountant for Kenzo, a record producer and founder of a preschool in France. Today, he is a distinguished designer with a cult-like following around the globe. The collaboration with Roots reflects the passion and skill of both companies for producing high quality, long lasting basics. The Source • 5
MARCHING TO A DIFFERENT DRUM Fashion and music go hand-in-hand in a new video featuring clothing from the Roots x Douglas Coupland line and music by The Most Serene Republic
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arlier this summer, when Roots departed from its usual nature-inspired offerings to collaborate with Canadian artist and author Douglas Coupland on its “Canada goes Electric” collection, the company also got creative with its marketing campaign. Roots launched a microsite to showcase the partnership, introduced pop-up stores in Toronto and Vancouver, produced a video of Douglas discussing his inspiration for the collection and, most recently, released a viral music/fashion video featuring the Roots Douglas Coupland collection and the Canadian band, The Most Serene Republic. Produced by filmmakers Anthony Green and Matthew Budman, the video combines behind-the-scenes footage from
a Roots Douglas Coupland photoshoot with The Most Serene Republic performing their song, “Pink Noise” at a recent tour stop in New York. Anthony began filming the new collection during a photo shoot last winter but quickly realized that a standard behindthe-scenes documentary didn’t go far enough. He wanted a way to make the video more interesting and relevant to the collection’s target audience of “young pop people” who may not be familiar with Douglas’ work as an artist and author but who like the bright colours and bold styling of the “Canada goes Electric” line. That’s when Anthony decided to set the footage to music. After listening to Fantastic Impossibliss, the new album by The Most Serene Republic,
“Pink Noise” was chosen as the ideal soundtrack for the video. “We wanted to work with a band that was well-established but not too mainstream,” says Anthony. “We were working on a short timeline and didn’t want to have to deal with the red tape that often comes with a major record label.” After working out the details of the partnership, Anthony asked a colleague to film the band during a show at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. The footage was then combined with material from the photo shoot, including video of stylist Patrick Davis, Outlet Visual Coordinator, performing a contemporary dance solo in Douglas Coupland gear. Patrick’s involvement in the project grew out of several conversations with Anthony during the filming of the photo
shoot. “He was so excited about it, which really put me at ease,” says Patrick. “On the last day of the shoot, Anthony asked me to play any music I wanted and just dance. I planned nothing and just went for it.” The result is an innovative collaboration and a first for both Roots and The Most Serene Republic. The eclectic mix of pop, electronica, R&B and classical flourishes that dominate the band’s latest album are in perfect harmony with the punchy colour, bold graphics and classic cuts of the Roots Douglas Coupland collection. Indeed, it would be difficult to imagine a more appropriate, and Canadian, alliance. The video is available online at www.roots.com/ douglascoupland and on the Roots You Tube channel.
GREAT MOMENTS IN RETAIL Spotlighting the top performing Roots stores in recent months based on their sales results B
Whyte Avenue store: L to R: Brad Hogg, Jenn Smits, Sarah Seeman, Diane Ysmael, Ariel Kangasniemi and Andrea Chacin. Missing from photo: Gisele Arevalo and Holli Caputo
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efore this issue of The Source went to press, we received the final sales figures for stores in recent months. For July, the top company store was the Whyte Avenue location in Edmonton, Alberta. In August, the top store was the Conestoga Mall location in Waterloo, Ontario. As for the Roots 73/Outlet category, the CrossIron Mills outlet in Rockyview, Alberta was in top spot for July. The Brossard outlet in Quebec came in first for the month of August. Congratulations to Jenn Smits, Manager of the Whyte Avenue store; Janine Gordon, Manager of the Conestoga store; Trevor Chambers, Manager of the CrossIron Mills outlet; Kathya Videl, Manager of the Brossard outlet store and to their respective teams for their exemplary performances. Congratulations to all of the other stores that surpassed their sales goals in July and August. Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
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The Source • 7
A TIMELY RESPONSE Power outage meant little sleep for IT Dept. that worked tirelessly to restore connectivity at Head Office From left to right: Bashir Popal, Nina Khozin, Aaron Drever, Sergio Gomez, Robin Nelson and Dan Donnet
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n our increasingly digital age, we have come to rely on computers to perform many of our daily tasks, especially around the office. We’ve become so dependent on technology that without it, business grinds to a halt. That’s exactly what happened in early July after an explosion at a transformer station cut power to sections of western Toronto, including the Roots headquarters. The outage, which started at around 4:45 p.m., sent many of the Head Office staff home early as the computer, telephone and internet lines that they depend on for much of their work went dead. The outage and resulting work disruption could have been
much worse had it not been for the exemplary efforts of the Information Technology Department. Although the office is equipped with a backup power source, the supply is limited. When IT staff realized that the blackout could last for hours, they manually shut down the office’s network servers to prevent damage before heading home for the evening. When electricity was finally restored four hours later, members of the IT Dept. sprang into action, restarting network servers and troubleshooting connection problems. Network Administrator Aaron Drever took time out of his vacation to come in to the
office to start up the servers in an attempt to restore the system. Sergio Gomez, Manager of Technical Services, and Dan Donnet, Senior Network Administrator, returned to the office at 10:30 p.m. to continue powering up the servers and assess the damage. “Recovering from a full blackout in the server room takes a minimum of two to three hours, if there are no issues,” says Director of IT Robin Nelson. “If servers are shut down abruptly due to loss of power, it can result in hardware failure or operating system corruption leading to an even longer interruption to business as staff work to repair the damage.” In this case, recovery took
twice as long due to problems with the internet connection and telephone system. By 3:30 a.m. phone and internet services were restored. Nina Khozin, Manager of Application Services, contacted Roots core business application vendors and received confirmation that data integrity was intact. Bashir Popal, Senior Business Analyst, arrived onsite at 5:30 a.m. to ensure that dayend processes were completed as normal and that there was no delay for the start of the next business day. As a result of their hard work, the outage caused minimal disruption for retail stores and Head Office employees who were back to work the following day. This isn’t the first power outage to affect Roots offices. In August 2003, power was interrupted for 12 hours necessitating similar action by IT staffers. “I’m proud of my team and the incredible job they did recovering from this situation,” says Robin. “I’m duly impressed by their resilience getting through the following day with so little sleep.”
TRES CHIC, N’EST-CE PAS?
Celebrated boutique in Paris showcases Roots Douglas Coupland Collection
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hat do Yves Saint Laurent, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang and Douglas Coupland have in common? They are all critically acclaimed designers now sharing space in one of the trendiest and most successful concept stores in the world. In early fall, the Roots Douglas Colette store window featuring Roots Coupland collection will make its exclusive European debut at tion with Roots, I could not believe it,” says Sarah Lerfel, colette, a preeminent style Creative Director and Buyer of emporium in Paris. The Roots Coupland colleccolette. “It was too good to be tion is a part of colette’s spottrue.” With the assistance of light on Canada featuring several well-known brands. Along with Melinda McDonald, VP of Roots, outerwear companies Wholesale and Business DevelCanada Goose and Sorel will be opment, select pieces will be featured during the month-long shown beginning in September. campaign. An in-store cocktail party “When I saw that Douglas celebrating the initiative will be Coupland had done this collecheld in Paris on September 7. 8 • The Source
The theme of the Roots Douglas Coupland collaboration is “Canada goes Electric.” Inspired by the country’s history in telecommunications, the line makes use of several emblems including a beaver, colour bars, circuit boards, transmission towers, satellites and airplanes. It debuted in Canada in early July and was a departure from the nature-inspired offerings for which Roots is traditionally known. It has proven quite successful and received considerable Canadian and international media coverage, including in The New York Times in the US and The Guardian in the UK. Coupland’s work with Roots marks his first foray into fashion design. The collection’s presence at such an exclusive boutique as
colette proved quite gratifying for Coupland, as he is known more for his books and visual art. “Colette is at the cutting edge of modern culture, fashion, design, music and art,” says Coupland. “What an honour to be invited there to see the view – and maybe also be a part of the view as well.” Opened in 1997, colette has been described as a “style mecca” and a go-to shopping destination in France. Shoppers can find creations from designers ranging from high end to mass market. Coupland fans on this side of the ocean still have the opportunity to purchase the line at select Roots stores and online at www.roots.com/ douglascoupland. Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
ATLANTIC MAGIC
Roots draws inspiration from the Eastern moors for its fall campaign
An image from the new Roots fall campaign, “Exploring Our Roots,” shot in Trinity Bight, Newfoundland
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t’s no wonder Newfoundland and Labrador are becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers from around the world. Perched on the eastern edge of Canada, they are home to breathtaking landscapes and extremely hospitable people. So, when photographer Ilich Mejia and Creative Stylist Patrick Davis discussed the idea of rolling green hills and grey coastlines as the ideal backdrop for the new fall campaign, Creative Producer Diane Bald knew right away where to find it. Diane had fallen in love with Newfoundland after attending an art class there in 2009. When the notion of a coastal photoshoot came up, she immediately suggested Port Rexton, a small fishing town 250 km north of St. John’s. In the end, Trinity Bight, an area that encompasses 12 Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
small communities including Port Rexton, was selected as the location for the shoot. The Roots team took to the highlands and seashore in late June to shoot the new fall collection. Although previous Roots campaigns have taken crews to such far away locales as Vancouver, Los Angeles, Florida and Jamaica, shooting in Newfoundland presented its own unique challenges due to dramatic, unpredictable shifts in the weather. The heavy grey mist that coloured Diane’s visit a year ago came and went with intermittent periods of bright sun and freezing temperatures. Despite the vagaries of nature, the crew – including Production Manager Lynne Hardy, Contributing Director Don Standfield and Stylist Marieve Tremblay – did a
stellar job. “The crew for this shoot was amazing,” says Diane. “It was the best I’ve ever worked with. What could have easily taken two weeks was accomplished in five days.” As an added dimension to the fall campaign, videographer Rylan Perry accompanied the crew to shoot a video highlighting the Roots footwear line. “We wanted a video component for the website that would capture the feeling and experience of the shoot,” says Rylan. While Ilich took all of the photos, Rylan filmed the models for a music video now available on the Roots website. The summer campaign will feature shots of the highlands, with the fall campaign focusing more on the coast. Observant viewers may notice a familiar emblem in the campaign – the official tourism logo for Newfoundland and Labrador. “We are working with the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism office to promote the province across Canada,” says James Connell, Senior Director of Digital Marketing and New Media. “We felt it gave more authenticity to the campaign and reinforced the connection Roots has to Canada.” The fall campaign has already caught the attention of the press in Newfoundland that seem pleased to see their province featured so prominently in a national advertising campaign. Fans closer to home were quick to praise as well. Longtime friend of Roots and Indigo CEO, Heather Reisman, said that this was the best Roots photoshoot she’s ever seen. Expect to see the results of this shoot continuing well into the fall in a variety of magazines and newspapers as well as Roots stores. The online version will also include a music video set on the coast, which will be posted as of mid-September.
GREEN TIP #61 Easy ways to help the environment
DROP IT OFF: From cell phones, MP3 players and watches, to laptops, power tools and game boys, batteries are an inescapable part of everyday life. But whether they’re single-use or rechargeable, batteries have a finite lifespan – after which they become hazardous household waste. Discarded batteries contain toxic substances such as lead and mercury, which can leach into the environment, contaminate water supplies and potentially harm humans who rely on groundwater for drinking. The good news? Virtually all batteries are recyclable – and recyclers can recover valuable metals. So what can you do to make sure your batteries get a second life? Don’t toss them in the garbage. If you live in Ontario, visit Stewardship Ontario’s Orange Drop program website at www.makethedrop.ca to locate your local recycling facility or a collection event near you. Hundreds of retailers also act as “Drop Zones” as part of the Orange Drop program, so battery recycling often involves no more than a quick trip to your local mall. Batteries aren’t the only things you can recycle through the Orange Drop program: additional municipal household hazardous and special waste items accepted at Orange Drop locations include pressurized containers such as propane; aerosol sprays such as hairspray and air freshener; fluorescent tubes and bulbs; fertilizer; paint; and unused pharmaceuticals. For residents outside of Ontario: similar programs exist in most provinces. Check with your local waste management branch to find out how you can do your part to keep hazardous waste out of landfills. • Source: www.makethedrop.ca The Source • 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!
Ottawa stores come together to throw a party for a wonderful occasion
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hile it’s always important to make a shopping environment friendly and accommodating for customers, sometimes special days warrant special effects. Earlier this summer, two Ottawa stores went beyond the call of duty when they hosted a party in honour of Canada’s 143rd birthday. It all began with Sidney McLennan, Manager of the Rideau Centre and William Street stores in downtown Ottawa. When she asked Mitchell Borutski, Manager of the Bayshore store across town, if he would be interested in working on Canada Day, word quickly spread to other Roots stores in the capital that would be closed for the holiday. Employees from key holders to managers responded overwhelmingly, offering to help out by working at the two downtown stores that would be open on July 1.
The plan was to turn the two stores into big Canada Day parties. Decked out in Roots clothing with balloons, face paint and refreshments in hand, the Ottawa team made the shopping experience for customers a highly festive, fun-filled event. They also invited Jarar Kazmi, Executive Director of Retail Operations to participate in the event. “Walking outside in a sea of people was a little chaotic,” says Sidney, “but it was amazing to see how many people came out to celebrate Canada’s birthday. It reminded me of working in Vancouver during the Olympics.” The party did more than celebrate Canada’s birthday as the staff decided to collect donations from face painting. Proceeds from the celebrations went to the Ottawa Humane Society, for whom local Roots stores have raised funds on several occasions this past year.
The Ottawa team paints the store red for a big Canada Day party
STAYING POWER Saluting those who go the distance Maria Arcelina Dos Santos, Leather Jacket Cutter, 25 years Maria Dias, Leather Table Work, 20 years Grinoalda Moco, Leather Stitcher, 20 years Maria Moreira, Leather Cutter, 20 years Hien Chau, Leather Table Work, 15 years Rina Palumbo, Keyholder, 15 years Maria Rogalska, Leather Stitcher, 15 years Haley Silk, Keyholder, 15 years Carol Aiello, Assistant Manager, 10 years Janice Blair, Store Systems Support Analyst, 10 years Kim Butcher, Keyholder, 10 years Heidi Gallagher, Store Manager, 10 years Denise Hosking, Store Manager, 10 years Donna Neil, Sales Associate, 10 years Jaswinder Phull, DC Administration, 10 years Cathy Allison, Keyholder, 5 years Donna Illsley, Store Manager, 5 years Amman Sandhu, Keyholder, 5 years Maria Jose Silva, Leather Table Work, 5 years Karen Simpson, Sales Associate, 5 years Mallory Wheeler, Keyholder, 5 years Edgar Zarzoso, Keyholder, 5 years
10 • The Source
EAGER BEAVER TEES OFF You never know where you’ll find him next I
t’s little surprise that at Roots we have a soft spot for beavers. Hard not to when this quintessential symbol of Canada is also the emblem of your company. Recently, Jeremy Creed, a longtime friend of Roots, sent us this photo of an eager beaver who had taken to a golf course in search of twigs and branches for his next project. The resourceful rodent seems to have found what he was looking for. As always, we invite you to submit photos that you’d like us to consider for publication in The Source. Please send them to: photogallery@roots.com Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
TAKING TO THE STREETS
Employees pull an all-nighter to raise money for cancer research Back row l to r: Ellie, Jenn, Janet and Kayla; front row l to r: Bailey the dog, Ellie’s mom and Kayla’s mom
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ach year, many Canadians lose sleep worrying about loved ones diagnosed with cancer. Employees from two Roots stores in Toronto (Scarborough and Bayview Village) know the feeling well and they refuse to take it lying down. In June, staff took to the streets in Scarborough to participate in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. This is the 10th year that store manager Janet Braam (Scarborough) has participated in the 12-hour overnight relay event. Janet initially became involved when a former col-
league who volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) approached her to suggest she form a team. Although at first she did not personally know anyone affected by cancer, it didn’t take long for the event to take on a more personal meaning. By the time the walk took place later that spring, her sister-in-law had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, Janet has also lit candles for her father, uncles and an aunt at the Relay’s dusk ceremony to honour survivors and remember loved ones lost to the disease. Janet began working on the
steering committee to help organize the event in 2001 and was joined a year later by fellow Roots employee Ellie Thiessen (Bayview Village). The pair continued to sit on the steering committee for the next five years and were recognized for their efforts by the CCS through a number of awards. This year, Janet and Ellie were joined by Jennifer Boyd and Kayla Margues, (also of Roots Scarborough) along with Ellie and Kayla’s mothers, who were both cancer survivors, and team mascot Bailey the dog. The team raised $1,870 under the name Always the Bridesmaids, Never the Brides. Colleagues from the Roots Scarborough store arrived late in the evening to show their support for their co-workers. “We walk to honour those who have lost their battle with the disease and get our strength from those among us who are survivors,” says Janet. “It is an emotional but fulfilling way to show Roots cares.” Funds raised by the event support the CCS’s mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life for Canadians living with cancer through research projects, information services, support programs and public advocacy.
MAKING TRACKS Scarborough store employees take co-worker’s diagnosis in stride
Roots Scarborough employees raise $700 for the MS Society of Canada
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very day, three more Canadians are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although researchers are making progress in their quest to understand the condition, doctors and scientists are still Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
struggling to determine what causes MS. In April, Roots Scarborough keyholders Spencer Hayes and Karla Capili participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s MS Walk. This is the
first year that store employees have participated in the event and the first time that Spencer and Karla have had a personal connection to the cause: longtime Roots Sales Associate and mother of six Natalie Dawood was diagnosed with MS earlier this year. Natalie’s recent diagnosis made participation in the event particularly meaningful to both the staff at Roots Scarborough and her children who joined Spencer and Karla to collect more than $700 in pledges for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The money will be used to help fund research for a cure for MS and deliver vital services to people with the disease.
FINE PRINT
A selection of coverage of Roots in the media Here are some recent sightings of Roots in the pages of newspapers and magazines:
• Chatelaine, Sept. Spotlight on Olivia Bag in red and Mini Satchel in black. • Canadian Living, Sept. French tote appears in the latest issue. • Montreal Gazette, September 14. Story on silver mentions “Centennial” Jacket from Roots x Douglas Coupland collection. • Toronto Life, Sept. Spotlight on Gretzky Jacket and Douglas Coupland Messenger Bag. • Now magazine, Aug. 26. Gretzky Jacket featured in backto-school special. • Now magazine, Aug. 19. Banff Bag in tribe leather featured. • Cityline, Aug. 18. Satchels featured in segment with National Post editor Nathalie Atkinson. • Famous, Aug. Spotlight on Toronto Tote. • Chatelaine, Aug. Spotlight on over-the-knee Tribe Boots. • BlogTO, July. Interview with Michael Budman. • The Georgia Straight, July 21. Interview with Douglas Coupland about his collection for Roots. • Azure, July 20. Story spotlights Roots x Douglas Coupland popup shop in Toronto. • The Guardian (UK), July 14. Article mentions Roots x Douglas Coupland Collection. • Flare.com, July. Spotlight on Roots x Douglas Coupland Collection. • Where Toronto, July. The Canada Village Bag appears as part of ‘Oh Canada’ round-up. • Hamilton Spectator, July 13. “Coupland’s latest chapter” features Roots Douglas Coupland collection. • Fashion Television, July 11. Feature on Roots Coupland collaboration, shot at the Head Office. • Metro, July 8. Interview with Douglas Coupland on Roots collaboration. • Toronto Star, July 8. Article highlights Roots and Douglas Coupland. • Etalk, July 8. Segment on Roots x Douglas Coupland launch party. • ET Canada, July 8. Segment on Roots Douglas Coupland Collection filmed at Rosedale store. • Westender, July 1. Story highlighting collaboration between Roots and Douglas Coupland. • Vitamin Daily, June 30. Spotlight on Canada nightshirt. • Flare.com, June 23. Union Collection featured in “World Cup Fashion Fever” spread. - Compiled by Nadia Malik
The Source • 11
NEW & NOTEWORTHY A guide to just-launched Roots products
Scuba Hoody, Red, $98
Cable Knit Poncho Sweater, Vintage White, $128
City Duffle Coat, Blue Night, $218
Gemma Capri Sweatshirt, Salt & Pepper, $98
Juliette T-Shirt, White, $38
Saddle Pack in Vintage Tribe Leather, Africa, $248
Venetian Satchel Rustler Leather, Khaki Green, $148
Diane’s Motorcycle Jacket in Rustler Leather, Hot Chocolate, $448 The Satchel with Gold Hardware, Prince Leather, Black, $198
Village Satchel Rustler Leather, Denim, $188
Mini Soft Saddle in Rustler Leather, Denim, $118
12 • The Source
Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
NEW & NOTEWORTHY A guide to just-launched Roots products
Hudson’s Flannel Shirt, Charcoal Mix, $58
Comox Zip Pullover, Grey, $60
Tutor Backpack, Black, $58
Radcliffe Long Sleeve, Red, $39
York Down-Filled Jacket, Grey, $225
Kaslo Alpaca Full Zip Sweater, Black, $128
Thurlow Crew Pullover, Slate, $75
Selkirk Full Zip Hoody, Estate Blue, $80
Men’s Prestige Watch Silver, $100
Men’s Slimfold with Removable Flap in Tribe Leather, Africa, $49.95
Western Sachel, Tribe Leather, Africa, $288
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The Source • 13
THE LEATHER MAN’S PASSION
Andy McCurbin shares his love and knowledge of Roots leather goods with customers and colleagues
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ew people know leather the way Andy McCurbin does. As the resident leather specialist at the Toronto flagship store, he not only understands what goes into the making of Roots leather goods, he also knows how to sell them. Andy’s affable personality helps of course, allowing him to develop an instant rapport with people. With his trademark warm welcome and genuine desire to assist customers, Andy is a popular figure in the store. Since joining Roots in 1985, Andy has worked on a wide range of projects. He was on the ground floor when the company began its customized leather goods program with jackets and initialed handbags. It has since grown to include most items in the leather line-up. Andy also plays a prominent role at the biannual Roots trunk shows, taking fashion editors through the company’s latest collection of leather goods. He can also be found online alongside designer Diane Bald at the Roots School of Leather at www.rootsleather.com. The site serves as a practical resource for customers, with videos of Diane and Andy discussing various topics ranging from Roots leather craftsmanship to at-
Andy McCurbin wears many hats at Roots from leather specialist to the voice of Roots Radio and emcee of special events
tributes of the leather. There’s even a virtual tour of the Roots leather factory. Along with his duties in Toronto, Andy recently embarked on a cross-country tour to train sales associates on leather product knowledge. The course covers the making of Roots leather products, special orders, sales techniques, customer
incentives, and the importance of building clientele. For all his considerable knowledge about and passion for leather, Andy also makes his presence felt in other ways. He can be heard in all of the company’s stores as the smooth voice of Roots Radio. He frequently emcees product launches and other Roots special events.
Andy, who moved to Canada from his native Jamaica in 1978, began his career at Roots in Toronto as a salesperson at the Yorkdale store. He was hired by Rima Biback, now Director of Licensees and Roots Home. “Upon meeting Andy, I saw something in his personality that would be phenomenal and lasting for Roots,” says Rima. “He’s so connected to his customers that they seek him out. They know he’ll give them exactly what they are looking for, be it a leather jacket or a customized handbag. There’s no one that represents Roots better in a store than Andy.” Being a part of what he calls “the family at Roots” helps explain his long-standing tenure with the company. “The Kowalewski family, Rima Biback and, of course, Michael and Don embraced me from day one,” says Andy. “The Kowalewskis are artisans who have mentored me and helped develop my passion for leather.” Despite his many years at Roots, Andy’s enthusiasm for his job remains unwavering. “When I get up in the morning, I still feel that passion for this place and the work I do,” says Andy. “It’s the Roots family that makes all the difference.”
LET’S GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
Roots continues to reach new heights with the launch of its first book club on Facebook
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ith more communication moving offline to online, it was only a matter of time until literary discussions made a similar transition. For the first time in its 37-year history, Roots launched a book club, held on the company’s Facebook page. The Roots Book Club is designed to connect book lovers with thought-provoking Canadian literature. Continuing the recent collaboration between Roots and Douglas Coupland, the Digital Marketing team has selected Coupland’s Generation A as the first novel for discussion. “From my research, there aren’t many book clubs on Facebook,” says Katherine 14 • The Source
Wellman, Digital Marketing Coordinator and moderator of the club. “By having a book club on Facebook, we attract a different crowd that isn’t confined to a neighbourhood or an established group.” Generation A evokes the title of Coupland’s acclaimed 1991 bestseller, Generation X. Set in the future when bees are extinct, Generation A follows five individuals who are stung in different places around the world. In 2009, it was nominated for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize alongside notable Canadian authors such as Alice Munro and Annabel Lyon. Facebook users can join the club by signing up on the Roots Facebook page where they will
Contest winner Glenda S. with her free copy of Generation A
receive weekly chapters and new discussion topics. Book Club members can participate in contests to win prizes, such as
copies of Generation A and Roots travel pouches. As of early September, the Book Club boasted a membership of 70 people, including several Roots staff. With the help of Tanja Zelko, Manager of Digital Marketing and Online Customer Experience, the Book Club is off to a great start. “Because Facebook is so social, we can get a lot of different perspectives and interpretations of the book,” says Katherine. “It has so many different characters that would generate a lot of responses among our members.” If the club continues to grow, readers can expect to discuss a wide variety of Canadian literature into the fall season. Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
MAKING THE PAST COME ALIVE Archivist Eva Lee puts her great diligence to good use as she brings order to Roots history
Eva Lee makes sense of Roots memorabilia for the new archives
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fter 37 years of producing high quality leather goods and athletic wear, staging countless special events and supporting diverse cultural and philanthropic work, Roots has a lot to be proud of. Now, the company is embarking on an ambitious project to do justice to its heritage. With the help of Archivist Eva Lee, what was once a hodge-podge accumulation of old documents, photographs and memorabilia is being transformed into an organized archival system. Based at the Roots Leather Factory in Toronto, where the collection is housed, Eva began the lengthy process in March. She found everything from binders of yellowing newspaper clippings to vintage leather goods, to boxes of old photographs and even a few pairs of original negative heel shoes. Eva started the project as a student intern while studying for a Masters degree in Information Studies at the University of Toronto. After completing a Bachelors degree in Architecture and Art History, followed by five years as an Educator at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Toronto, and experience working as a photo archivist and librarian at the University of Toronto, Eva knows how to create order out of chaos. She officially joined the
Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
Roots team as a full-time archivist in June and has made significant progress sifting through the mountains of documents and objects housed at the factory. But there’s still a lot of work to be done. Until recently, the archives – if one could really call it that – consisted of two rooms packed to the ceiling with boxes, binders and garment racks. “We’ve been keeping things for years,” says Roots CoFounder Michael Budman. “Now we have the space to organize and preserve it properly. Neither Don [Green] nor I like to dwell on the past. We prefer to look to the future, but we can’t forget our history.” With the help of intern Alix Kempf, Eva began by constructing workstations for document processing, creating inventory list standards and templates, and implementing strict guidelines for the handling and storage of archival material. The inventory process allowed Eva to get a better idea of the scope of the project and organize the general collection. Clad in white archival gloves, Eva spends her days playing detective as she scours posters and photographs for dates, places and familiar faces. Armed with her ever-present notebook, she moves from box to box jotting down observations, cross-referencing items
and recording the input of her regular stream of visitors. Once she completes the painstaking work of recording all of the items, Eva will develop a plan to organize, preserve and store the material so that it can be used for research, outreach, and display. Documents, photographs and films will be digitized to make them more accessible and clothing, original artwork, and other objects will be carefully stored in acid-free boxes and garment bags. Although it will take some time to bring the archives up to standard, Eva hopes to gather enough items and information to put together a museum-quality exhibition. “The biggest challenge will be linking things together,” says Eva. “I’ll find a T-shirt that was created for a particular event, a poster advertising the event and an article clipped from a newspaper about the event and they all have to be tied together in some way. Organizing and connecting items in inventory lists and reference guides will probably take the bulk of the time once the physical boxes have been sorted and arranged.” Most people have some form of archives at home, but they just don’t realize it; Whether it’s photos, home movies or memorabilia. But there still aren’t many corporate archives, especially among retail companies. “With so many baby boomers nearing retirement, many companies are now seeing the value of creating and maintaining an internal archives as a way to preserve company memories and heritage,” says Eva. “You can only remember so much, so, like in families, if events and milestones aren’t documented before people retire or move on, they are essentially lost.” While all the items in the Roots archives tell us something about the company’s long history, it’s the photographs that Eva finds particularly captivating.
“Photographs tell you so much about people and places,” says Eva. “I especially like the photos of old stores and of Michael and Don modeling Roots clothing.” So far, she has uncovered photos of the Jamaican bobsled team in their Roots uniforms at the 1988 Calgary Olympics and copies of Indian Summer, a 1993 film based on Michael and Don’s experiences at Camp Tamakwa. But perhaps her most timely discovery was a selection of original Roots Natural Footwear catalogues, pamphlets and care instructions from the 1970s. Visuals from the catalogues feature prominently in the current Roots fall shoe campaign.
HEALTH TIP #58
Easy ways to stay healthy BRUSHING IS NOT ENOUGH: Mom always said, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what about the dentist? If you plan to spend your later years eating more than just applesauce, invest in some dental floss. No matter how thoroughly or how long you brush, a toothbrush alone can’t reach between your teeth. So if you don’t floss you’re missing a good portion of your teeth’s total surface. That’s like washing one armpit after a workout. Brushing and flossing are essential for reducing the number of bacteria in our mouth. Left unchecked, bacteria feast on food particles remaining on teeth, producing acid that eats away tooth enamel to create cavities and volatile sulfur compounds that cause embarrassing bad breath. But the dangers of not flossing go beyond just good hygiene: Plaque and tartar that build up between teeth can cause gingivitis, tooth decay and can lead to gum disease. According to cardiologists, the bacteria that linger between your teeth even after brushing can also increase your risk of heart disease. • Source: What Works: Dr. Oz’s 25 Greatest Men’s Health Tips, by Dr. Mehmet Oz The Source • 15
MOMENTS THAT MATTER Big developments in the lives of Roots staff
Jennifer Dwivedi, Media Coordinator and Translator at Roots, (currently on maternity leave), welcomed a new baby boy, Milan Montgomery Dwivedi, on June 26, 2010.
STARTING LINEUP
Introducing the people who make it happen at Roots stores As part of our continuing series of team pictures from the Roots retail family, this issue of The Source is spotlighting the New Sudbury Centre store in Sudbury, Ontario. Back row left to right: Janelle Lemieux, Sylvie Beaulieu, Brigitte Landriault and Jeannette Fortin. Front row left to right: Kelsey Hurd, Jamie Zahorouski and Vanessa Keetch. Missing from picture: Kirsten Goggins, Patty Cuomo, Jordan Moulaison and Chantal Gaudreau.
SPEAK TO MY AGENT
The littlest customers show their Roots
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e often receive unsolicited photos from people eager to show us pictures of their children, cousins, grandchildren, or even pets, wearing Roots. Sometimes the senders ask if we could use the photos in a future advertising campaign for Roots. We can’t promise that, but we are happy to publish them in The Source. Sean Vicary, Sr. Graphic Designer and wife Valerie welcomed a new baby girl, Alison Vicary, on July 2, 2010.
Everyone is welcome to submit their favourite shots to be considered for publication. Please send your pictures to photogallery@roots.com. Be sure to include the name and age of each child or pet in the photo, where it was taken, place of residence and a sentence stating that you agree for the photos to be used in The Source. Sabastian Szolcsanyi, 7 years, with brothers Lilah, 9 months and Asher, 5 years, Toronto
Kim Court-Hampton, Executive Assistant to Roots Co-Founders (on maternity leave), welcomed a new baby girl, Hannah Rose Court-Hampton on August 24, 2010. Hearty congratulations to all the above on these great moments in their lives 16 • The Source
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MUSICAL ROOTS
This month, we spotlight Arcade Fire, the Canadian band burning up the international charts
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ou know there is something special about a band when it can take on teen heartthrob-du-jour Justin Bieber and win. That’s exactly what Canadian band Arcade Fire did earlier this summer when their third album The Suburbs debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, selling 156,000 copies in one week. Making the achievement even more impressive, the album
tinged pop music in the early 2000s. Propelled by lead singer Win Butler’s quavering vocals and his bandmates’ symphonic melodies, a self-titled EP helped earn the band a deal with Merge Records in 2003. After the deaths of several family members in late 2003, the Montreal band sought solace in the recording studio, which led to their debut album Funeral. Released in September 2004, it
Since their debut in 2003, Arcade Fire continues to generate impressive sales and legions of fans around the world
also captured top spot of both the Canadian and UK charts in the same week. Counting a wide array of artists as influences including Neil Young, The Beatles and Bjork, Arcade Fire began creating an infectious mix of bossa nova, punk, and classically
was met with unanimous commercial and critical acclaim. Soon, Arcade Fire found themselves a near constant presence on the road, playing such highprofile festivals as Lollapalooza and Coachella in between a slew of smaller club dates. Following an exhausting year
ROOTS RADIO RECOMMENDS
A list of the top CDs worth noting this month 1. Drake - Thank Me Later 2. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs 3. She & Him - Volume 2 4. Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs - God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise 5. Marvin Gaye - The Very Best of Marvin Gaye
of promoting Funeral, Arcade Fire decamped to a church outside Montreal to work on a second release. The ambitious Neon Bible arrived in March 2007, peaking at number two and sparking another tour that saw the band play more than 120 shows that year. Their efforts paid off in 2008 when they won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year. Apart from the stage, Arcade Fire is heavily involved with charitable organizations. This past summer, fellow Arcade Fire singer Regine Chassagne launched Kanpe, a Haitian relief charity aimed at drawing attention to the plight of her native country. To show their support of Partners in Health, an organization striving for global health equity, the band donated $1.00, £1.00 or €1,00 of every
ticket sold from their 2007-2008 Neon Bible tour. In 2008, the band played several shows in support of US presidential candidate Barack Obama before beginning to work on a third album. The result, The Suburbs, is an eclectic 16-track ode to childhood, suburban sprawl, and middle-class dreams both won and lost. With a rating of 86% universal acclaim on critic website, Metacritic, The Suburbs has generated continued praise for Arcade Fire. And rightfully so. Any band that can make instruments like the accordion, glockenspiel, hurdy-gurdy and organ cool definitely has something interesting going on. - Davin Bujalski • To hear the music of Arcade Fire, listen to Roots Radio. For more on Arcade Fire, go to: www.arcadefire.com
CHEF’S CORNER
Roots-friendly recipes for a healthy diet and to bring pleasure to your palate
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or this issue’s Chef’s Corner, we present a recipe for making the Adrenaline Shake that will keep you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, even if you’re not a morning-person. Forget all those premade breakfast meal replacements, this fast and easy smoothie has everything you need for a complete breakfast on-the-go, even your morning coffee!
Issue 97 - Sept. - Oct. 2010
INGREDIENTS: ½ cup cold coffee 1 banana 1 cup plain yogurt 1 tbsp honey 1 cup ice
DIRECTIONS: 1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 2. Pour into a travel cup, grab your keys and dash out the door. Makes one serving. • www.foodnetwork.ca The Source • 17
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