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Brick & Mortar 5th Anniversary!
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October 2021 marked the fifth anniversary of the SAABOON storefront in Ottawa.
In this blog post I thought it might be interesting to show you a little of what this space (595 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa) looked like before, and during construction. I hope you enjoy this :)
The exterior was in very rough shape and I ended up painting it from top to bottom myself.
The interior was temporarily used for storage. As you can see, not a pleasant view.
For years, this space was occupied by a DVD and Blu-ray rental business. Unfortunately for them, technology advanced and transitioned to streaming services, and they fell out of business.
Everything had to go, and the space was renovated from ground up.
I was on site every day for about four months during construction, managing the project, and helping in any way I could.
The crew hard at work! Zoom in to see better.
The metal bars on the door and window absolutely had to go! In my opinion these just formed a psychological barrier. Nothing welcoming about them — resembling prison bars.
The old tiles gone, and the floors being prepared with concrete.
The counter is not yet constructed here.
Opening up my own brick and mortar store has truly been a wonderful experience. Yes, the work never ends and there are endless tasks, but I would not change one bit. I have met many wonderful people, and have made many great friends as a result of this. I sincerely want to thank you all for your continuous support. Whether coming to my physical store, or placing online orders, without your support this small SAABOON shop would not exist.
Thank You! Thank You!
Thank You! Thank You!
I would love to hear from you. Please leave me a note below in the comments section! Have you been here? Would you like to come visit? Any, and all comments are welcome. I'd love to hear from you!
Hope to see you soon. Come visit us, we're at 595 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa. ON
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PS. I am reading all your messages below — thanks and keep them coming! :) However, the way the website is setup I am unable to respond to your messages individually unfortunately. Here, I want to let you know how much your kind words mean to me. So very grateful to you! Really appreciate you all taking time to write your beautiful messages. Many thanks !!
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Shelley H
October 20, 2021
What an accomplishment for sure! Happy 5th Anniversary!
Victoria Lesarge
October 18, 2021
Congratulations on 5 years! I stumbled on your store 4 years ago and moved shortly after. I just recently moved back to Ottawa and am looking forward to paying another visit! Here’s to more milestones!
Anonymous
October 17, 2021
Hi ..I’m a newbie to your site and am very impressed! Congratulations on 5 years! That is quite an accomplishment especially during this last few years. It a testament to the quality of your merchandise!! 🔥
Anonymous
October 17, 2021
i love your little shop – the only thing is that i wish it was closer to my house!!
keep up the good work!!
i really enjoy seeing all the hard work you do – here’s to continued success!!
Christine Roy
October 15, 2021
Hey Joulian,
Congrats on your 5-year anniversary!
Thanks for the great conversations and fantastic products.
Keep following this amazing journey, and have fun.
All the best,
Christine
Ruth
October 15, 2021
Congratulations!
I am so grateful that a friend showed your store to me. Saboon is the only soap I buy now! I also buy it for my family members and it makes a great gift. I also love visiting your store. You are always so welcoming and serene.
Cheers.
Jennifer Howey
October 15, 2021
Congratulations!
I love your store and products.
Lisa M
October 14, 2021
Happy anniversary and congratulations! What a fun adventure and a great transformation. Your shop space is so inviting, I can’t wait to step back into it.
Thank you for continuing to make such amazing products!
Janette
October 14, 2021
Would love to make it in to the actual store – the smell must be amazing! Congrats on all your hard work and such great products.
Gina Rehbein
October 14, 2021
Congratulations on 5 years! I love what you’ve done with the shop, it’s beautiful and is a great showcase for your amazing products. :)
JnJ
October 14, 2021
Thanks for sharing about the beginning of your journey, Joulian. Your products are by far the best stuff we’ve ever used, and we cannot live without them every day! Congratulations on the 5 year anniversary, and look forward to seeing more of your creations!!
Lauren
October 14, 2021
LOVE Saaboon products! Congratulations on 5 years and cheers to many more.
Ran Yang
October 14, 2021
Congratulations Joulien and Leon! Wishing you 50 more years of success!
Claudine
October 14, 2021
What a gorgeous space! Congratulations on your fifth anniversary.
And so glad to get a glimpse of your dog…
Holly Beck
October 14, 2021
Congrats on 5 years at the shop Jules!! You know I’ve been loving and adoring your products for much longer than 5 years and I always wondered what the place looked like before you smothered it with your magic touch :) Great to have all of your line in one truly special space <3
Chloe Richard
October 14, 2021
Congratulations! I only started using SAABOON products during the pandemic, so I hope the visit the actual store soon!!
Carol
October 14, 2021
Congratulations on your 5th year Anniversary! I love everything I’ve received as gifts and love the purchases I’ve bought from your store! You must be so proud and Cheers to you!🥂
Heidi
October 14, 2021
Wow! What a transformation! From dirty and gritty, to clean and fresh! Just like the body transformation when we use your gorgeous soaps! Congratulations, Julian! You have created a beautiful and serene environment to showcase your gorgeous products. So glad I “found” you on a run home, one winter day!
Heidi Green
October 14, 2021
I really enjoyed seeing the transformation, you have such vision Joulian! Congrats on 5 years, the service and the quality is outstanding!
Erin Kean
October 14, 2021
Congratulations Joulien! I love the thought behind removing those bars—truly is a welcoming space (I love walking by in the winter when it is dark and stormy and the window is light up—so warm and inviting)
Erica
October 14, 2021
Such an inviting space to shop. Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary. Your soap is so amazing for my hands that spend a lot of time in soil. Moisturizing, great lather, mild scent and long lasting bars all combine for a perfect soap. So much choice and difficult to pick a favourite out of your collection. Your soap is a perfect blend of science and art.
Mary Lynn
October 14, 2021
Congratulations on 5 years..cheers to many more.🥂
Chris Dixon
October 14, 2021
I still remember the video store that used to be there. What a transformation!
Alexa
October 14, 2021
Congrats on 5 years! Wow, 5 years already. Thank you for sharing the pictures of the process, what an incredible space you created. Not to mention the amazing products. My go to wherever I am in Canada / abroad. Cheers to many more!