Murals of smiling Sasquatch and a large bear pointing toward the entrance greet customers at WestcoasteesB次元官网网址� new Store Street location in Victoria.

As you enter, another black bear mural on the back wall catches the eye as bright colours radiate out from a Vancouver Island outline in the animalB次元官网网址檚 centre and spread to the T-shirts and sweaters hanging from the large showroomB次元官网网址檚 walls.

The mural represents how the Island is at the heart of the art-driven, locally-crafted vision that owners Jayson Ward and Trevor and Marija Midgley have had for Westcoastees throughout its seven-year history.

B次元官网网址淭he goal of the company was to be creative right from the start,B次元官网网址� Ward told Black Press Media.

The three artists and self-taught screen printers started out by loading up a van with garments donning their original designs and travelling to farmerB次元官网网址檚 markets and other events all over Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淲e just noticed people were falling more and more in love with it,B次元官网网址� Ward said.

After opening stores in Campbell River, Duncan and Parksville, their attention turned to where they were always met by eager clientele.

B次元官网网址淭he response from Victoria, as a local company from Vancouver Island, the response was just amazing,B次元官网网址� Ward said. B次元官网网址淲e had always imagined moving to Victoria.B次元官网网址�

Since then, the goal has been to open a B次元官网网址渃rown-jewelB次元官网网址� store in the south Island city. But to get there, Westcoastees knew it needed to first build a significant following.

ItB次元官网网址檚 been able to do just that in recent years, which is evident with its strong social media support. The company celebrates those loyal customers at the Victoria site, showcasing a picture wall of people who have shared photos of themselves donning Westcoastees threads.

ItB次元官网网址檚 because of that fanbase and audience, Ward said, that the company is now at its downtown 1807 Store St. location between Herald and Chatham streets.

B次元官网网址淭hat would probably be the biggest (factor) to the success of moving to Victoria.B次元官网网址�

WestcoasteesB次元官网网址� graphics keep it light and current but also include detailed drawings incorporated into Vancouver Island themes of nature and wildlife.

B次元官网网址淭hat might be one of the most fun things B次元官网网址� thinking about what people would enjoy and presenting it and then seeing a positive response,B次元官网网址� Ward said, adding that his favourite designs to make are the ones that can make people laugh.

With the downtown shop now open, Ward said they wonB次元官网网址檛 be opening more locations anytime soon. Instead, theyB次元官网网址檙e excited to dive back into focusing on creativity and expanding the Westcoastees product line. But for Ward, itB次元官网网址檚 still a little surreal to be standing in the Victoria store.

B次元官网网址淚t was always building towards this.B次元官网网址�

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