Partners in style
Great partnerships can result from a merger of equals.
Shauna Hlady had been running a women’s clothing store, Lee River, with a location on Provencher Blvd. that wasn’t working. She was also running a seasonal store in Lac du Bonnet that catered to cottagers for the past 15 years. Laurie Carey had a gift store catering to women, Great Finds, on Vermillion Road in the Southdale Mall for the past 15 years. “We knew each other from the industry. We had coffee together and we said, ‘Why don’t we merge?’” says Hlady, who loves that the two owners bring different points of view to the new store. Great Finds and Lee River, their combined shop, opened in 2017 in the Southdale Mall. “We have totally different personalities. It brings more choices to the table. But we’re both very open, looking to new ideas and perspectives.” says Hlady.
Co-Owner Shauna Hlady 
Co-Owner Laurie Carey
While their partnership does split some duties, with Hlady in charge of buying while Carey takes charge of running the store, both are equally passionate about customer service and stylishly dressing their customers. They describe their customers as women 35 and up, in clothing sizes that range from extra small to plus, with enough funky jewelry to please any magpie.
“When I go on my buying trips, I’ll think, that outfit is for Shirley, or that’s so Karen,” says Hlady. “That’s the beauty of being a boutique—you can buy for individual women, and then we call them when something they would be interested in arrives in the store.” A self-described shopaholic, Hlady worked as a flight attendant for Air Canada for 33 years, shopping in boutiques in Europe, Asia and North America, before she decided to put her love of fashion to a professional purpose: “Now I really get to shop.” Her partner, Laurie Carey, had worked in retail for her whole career, previously ran a franchise, and then decided to open an independent boutique.
As a local business, Great Finds and Lee River tries to give back to the community, and recently held a fashion show and social to support the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. “If our donation helps one person, that was well worth it,” says Hlady, describing her brother’s struggle with addiction and how it affected their family. “I believe if that facility was there five years ago, my brother would still be alive.”
The community feeling includes the store. Hlady and Carey love it when customers bring friends by, and say as they walk in: “This is my store.” The challenges of running a local business include high overhead (they watch how much they carry in inventory) and competition from online shopping. But being a local business means that when a customer says she has a big event coming up—like her son’s wedding next summer—Hlady can keep an eye out with suppliers, then send a photo when she spots the perfect outfit for that customer. “You develop a friendship with the women who come to the store,” says Hlady.
All Photos by Kristhine Guerrero
