Ontario Community Newspapers

Waterloo Chronicle (Waterloo, On1868), 23 Mar 2011, p. 13

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' A ' A A if . WMW-MMZ’,MIOIS F. din (h If t dre . 111 e e BC SS ‘ New boutzq' ue embraces personal experience and a love of ceremony ‘ ’ BY Cantor-re PRONG Pmtu j 4 f fl" a"... f“? ,. I . Chronicle Sufi " ~ ».- ,. j skate“? J z , he first wedding dress that Kathy A , ygrv-z if“. < if A I .- l I Panagos sold has a special signifi- 3.4112,“ 5 fl .. i cance. A \_ ;: ' f .j‘"“ i“. : Last year. Panagos was helping her 1 Adi“. - »_"‘ ‘ ff" ‘ ' 1 future sister-in~law iris McCaffrey plan her ' 3 3}:- . f“ . ' ‘ 1 wedding. The pair hit several bridal bou- ‘ .. , ' t tiques. expecting that finding The Dress _ . .-- g . . f 1 would be a unique and momentous occa- ‘ “pita“? 1.,_ if 1 sion. _ 2 . - ‘ T instead, it was a “horrible experience.” . _: _ i ' _ 7 Mct‘affrey felt pressured by sales people ‘ t to make a decision quickly. and was limited ~ ~ ,. 1 in the number of gowns she could try on Rpm . g ' ‘ . i during a visit. ‘r’ -. ‘ fig 4 Dismchanted with the process. Panagos E ii, if \ . took matters into her own hands and startâ€" ‘ """ ed researching and contacting suppliers \‘ l " . ‘ herself. She and her husband Peter pur~ ’ chased that first special gown themselves, as a gift for his sister. ‘ ‘ ‘ "it‘s the one day in your life when you ,.-f_ __ . a want to look like a princess," McCaffrey ._ A" a "' “I. 3. said. “if you want to try on 30 dresses, you “A . ‘ should try on 30 dresses." _ From that experience, Helayna's Bou- . ' tique was born. After a 10-year career in the . . _ _ _ . financial industry, Panagos has opened the Kathy Panagos, left. wants to emphasize customer service at Helayna‘s Boutique after trying to help her sosterâ€"mâ€"law Iris McCal‘frey find the city's newest bridal and baptismal shop, perfect wedding gown. : ' ”a“ “ “m named after her four-year-old daughter. ferent designers in her shop. na's last week â€"â€"~ for her second visit. She did- what it is that Smidt is looking for. "it's always been a dream of mine.” She's curated a thoughtful selection of n’t find what she wanted the first time “We'veaheadyhadalotofhappybrides Panagos said. “Anyone who gets married, unique gowns, appropriate for everything around. andwithhermotherintow, returned here. Every customer has been so unique i'm always the first person to help out. i just from the most formal ceremony to a casual to tryon a fewgowns thathad just come in. and special.’ shesaid. want it to be a special day â€" no pressure." destination wedding. And she's looked for “I love this dress. I think it’s beautiful,” ‘We’re not just selling a garment. We’re That's why Panagos has decided to focus reasonably priced pieces. ranging from she said as she eyed herself critically in the building relationships." on quality over quantity at the boutique. about $200 to $2,000. minor. “But i don't think it's The Dress” The shop, which has a spa-like feel. is She also hasaselection of jewelry from a She plans to return to Helayna’s for a small but well organized. A photo of each Canadian artist as well as veils, headpieces third time, for an upcoming trunk show ‘ gown is attached to its hanger. which is also and handbags. featuring dresses from ADK's new 2011 line. Rama's Boutique i colourâ€"coded to indicate the silhouette. And after having to travel to Toronto to “Some girls, they try on the first dress Bridal. baptimnaland formalpwm ‘ “it's not overwhelming. A lot of brides find specific items for her daughter Helay- and they love it. That's not me.” Smidt said. 181 ParkSL.Walerloo have gone to other stores and the dresses na's Greek Orthodox baptism, she decided ‘l’m going to enjoy the process it's once in SIS-M6836 are crammed in, or they're all in bags. They to carry the dresses, candles, towels, wit- a lifetime." Open'lhesday to Saturday, . can't see them.” Panagos said. ness pins. booties and other items needed Panagos is clearly enjoying the process no appointment necessary She carries gowns for brides, brides- for those occasions. as much as Smidt is She patiently bustles (during Parksueaconsmicdon, maids, motherâ€"of-the-bride and evening or Bride-to-be Elizabeth Smidt is getting around, pulling dresses off the racks, lacing access ofilohn Street) special occasion dresses from about 15 dif- marned‘ in November and came into Helay- them up, and trying to figure out exactly 3“ ‘ .. BRAHMS " . " - is a so..- ~ 3.3 ’ . . - ‘;"*"ff’* 1,2} “s ‘ , =. _ g,- .‘ a "T5 - - A t; 4 T? 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