Toronto-based women’s activewear retailer relevé has opened a storefront in Bayview Leaside, just south of Eglinton Avenue.
The 1,200 square foot store, named for a ballet term that means “rise up”, opened in Spring 2021 after having the pandemic lockdowns interrupt the original opening. Ecommerce and social media strategy became the focus for the duration, as the team behind the brand had invested resources and energy into a physical location that would have capacity limits.
“At relevé, we have a thoughtful collection of high quality active and loungewear from popular name brands including: alo, P.E. Nation, L’urv, Beyond Yoga, Aviator Nation, to name a few. Our clothing is made from luxurious fabrics like bamboo, cotton blends and some with recycled material to create ultimate breathability and comfort,” shared Gillian Medina, owner of relevé.
Located in the Bayview Leaside BIA, the store has found a community of small businesses that are able to work together during difficult times. In addition to utilizing social media to attract local shoppers, the community has been inviting residents to see their stores in-person with creative marketing.
The store itself was a project that was created to be more of an experience than a traditional storefront.
“When planning the design of the store, I wanted to create a relaxed ambience; almost a spa-like feel,” shared Medina. “I envisioned an elegant environment in sync with the quality athleisure wear that we carry”
The brand worked with Slavens Commercial Real Estate for the location on Bayview. Shirley Meisels of MHouse Inc designed the store.
