Engelberg Magazin No. 24

Bei der Auswahl der Kleider denkt Paula Krummenacher oftmals direkt an ihre Kunden und weiss bereits beim Einkauf, welchem ihrer Stammkunden welches Kleidungsstück gefallen könnte. When purchasing new stock, Paula Krummenacher al- ways thinks of her custom- ers – sometimes she even has a specific customer in mind.

Westside Store GmbH Dorfstrasse 15 6390 Engelberg Tel. +41 41 637 38 22 www.westsidestore.ch

When the Westside Store opened 30 years ago many people thought it wouldn’t be around for long – not least because at first it was just a hobby for the two owners. But their fashion choices struck a chord. Now, thanks to the passion and commitment of the store’s manager and her long-standing team, the shop is even managing to thrive in the age of internet shopping. The two men behind the Westside Store are Nidwalden natives Beat Imholz and Joerg Widmer. Once upon a time they were ski instruc- tors in Engelberg, but then for the shop in the old Villa Maria; they deco- rated it themselves, and purchased stock on the weekends. “They never actually stood behind the counter themselves,” recalls Paula Krum- menacher, who has worked at the store for 21 years and is now its manager and co-owner. The clothes that Beat and Joerg selected went down well with shoppers in Engelberg. “People came to buy the trendy brands and to enjoy the special charm of a unique little boutique,” says Paula. Paula loved the shop from the very beginning and dreamt of working there. Her dream came true in 1998 when she applied for a sales assistant vacancy. At her interview, the owners told her they were planning to sell the store, so she might only be there for one season. “They had so much fun with the boutique, but it was a bit too much for them alongside their regular work.” Paula got the job and soon enjoyed the complete confidence of Beat and Joerg, who were happy to take a back seat. Now that the boutique wasn’ t so they returned to their original professions. Since they were big fans of fashion they de- cided to open a clothing bou- tique on the side – just for fun. Initially, they rented space

much work, they decided not to sell af ter all. To the delight of shoppers and employees alike, the Westside Store stayed in business. From the very start it has had a faithful cus- tomer base, and in 2006 the store expanded. The present-day location at Dorfstrasse 15 is a bright, welcoming space, big enough for a comfort- able sofa alongside the shelves and racks. Many men accompanying their wives and girlfriends on shopping trips are glad to make use of that sofa – although there is also a great selection of menswear to tempt them back up onto their feet. Parents can shop in ers from elsewhere. Internet shopping has made life difficult for small shops, and the euro crisis exacerbated the situation. Previously, the shop sold only global brands, but these days Paula opts for small, individual brands – of ten based in Switzerland – that are passionate about what they do and produce their clothing fairly. She especially focuses on brands with little or no online presence. If the quality is right, custom- ers are usually prepared to pay a little more. Westside Store is perfect for shoppers who prefer to interact with genuine human beings and obtain expert advice. Its faith- ful, longstanding employees know the inven- tory inside out and love talking to customers. Andrea Schleiss has worked there for 12 years, and Anita Burch for a remarkable 24 years. “We’re on friendly terms with many of our customers,” says Paula. “We know what they like to wear and are always up to date on how their grannies or their dogs are getting on.” peace as the children are kept happy with a range of toys. “The shop wouldn’ t exist if it weren’ t for our loyal regu- lars,” says Paula. These include locals and holiday home own-

The carefully selected assortment appeals to fashion lovers of all stripes.

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