When you relocate to a new city for a fresh start, the last thing on most people’s minds is attempting a brand new start up venture—and all within a six-month timeframe no less.
But that’s exactly what the spunky husband and wife team of Scott and Leeann Vigar did, moving their young family from Sherwood Park, Alta., to Kelowna in the summer of 2013. Embarking immediately on a major house renovation, their momentum came to a screeching halt when it came time to search for furnishings and items to outfit their newly remodeled home that reflected their own love of mid-century modern, high-quality contemporary products.
The lack of availability and options sparked a crazy, yet ambitious idea for the couple: Why not open their own store and provide the plethora of items they had such difficulty sourcing themselves?
And with that, Factor Furniture, an amazingly atypical, fun loving, statement making store, was born.
For Scott, who has an extensive background within the commercial office furnishings industry, the transition into residential furniture retailer seemed a natural and innate fit.
But for Leeann, the switch from paralegal into full-blown business owner was a huge career change.
For not only do the pair simply own Factor, both share the responsibilities in running and operating the location on a daily basis.
Of all the complexities that come with a new start-up, finding the right location was a huge challenge initially.
Wanting to be close to the downtown scene, with the amenities of a newer structure, the Vigars chose a space within the bustling multi-mix Stewart Centre, right in the heart of Kelowna’s business hub.
Located at 102-1851 Kirschner Rd., the store is a haven for those with a penchant for clean lines, contemporary style, and mid-century modern flare, boasting an industrial-feeling open concept, with soaring ceilings and an amazing floor-to-ceiling front wall of glass.
For Scott and Leeann, the store envelope was just as important in supporting their design aesthetic as the products they wanted to showcase inside.
And it’s the unique, quality pieces, and genuinely authentic way the Vigars do business that customers have come to love
There aren’t any gimmicks, sales pressures, or distractions within their walls—both care more about the relationships they have built and fostered with their customers, and have let the furniture and products speak for themselves. Acting as exclusive dealers for many modern lines, Factor Furniture has teamed up with brands (many of them Canadian) like Gus Modern, Pink & Brown, Blu Dot, Elite, Moes, Safavieh, and Huppe, to name only a few, catering to statement-making designers, developer/builders, and savvy home owners alike.
Customers seeking out local artisans will also find an ever-changing selection of custom artwork, photography and hand-forged occasional chairs and tables under the Factor roof.
And if something catches your eye while you’re in, you have the added benefit of taking it home that very day.
With a year in business officially under their belts this November, the Vigars are excited to see what new partnerships and opportunities 2016 will continue to bring their way.
As the neighborhood landscape continues to expand with niche-type, boutique retailers, their destination setting will continue to grow and evolve right along with it.
One of the Okanagan’s best kept secrets, find Factor Furniture online at factorfurniture.com, on Facebook, or better yet, drop by the fabulous showroom Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
