Amanda Vaughan
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 8, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Organizers of the 2008 Arctic Winter Games (AWG) say their push to sell items related to the event is up and running.

Tracy Heslep, the merchandise co-ordinator for the Arctic Winter Games, said Foxy's Den - the event's official merchandise store - has been doing well so far. - Amanda Vaughan/NNSL photo

Foxy's Den in the Panda II Mall has been selling strictly AWG merchandise since July 21, and will be open all the way through to the end of the games.

Tracy Heslep, AWG merchandise co-ordinator, said the shop has been doing well so far.

"We've definitely had a lot of interest," said Heslep.

She said the store has seen a lot of people looking for gift items for out-of-town friends and family.

She also mentioned, so far, the most popular item has been the Stormtech jackets, saying they are "high quality and very good looking."

The store is already carrying a large variety of games gear, from women's underwear and shoulder bags to coffee mugs and a variety of athletic wear.

Heslep said there is something for every pocketbook and taste.

"We have some more extreme sports gear and also casual wear," she said, noting a lot of the items are recognizable brand names, such as Stormtech and the American Apparel.

The hope is to definitely get more American Apparel products as the year progresses, she said. Heslep also said she wants to get a lot more high-end sports gear in, especially jackets, as the Games get closer.

She said she also expects more heavy winter gear as the summer wanes.

Gail Cyr, the head of merchandise for the Games, is happy with how the gear is turning out.

"I love it. People are really liking the stuff," said Cyr.

She said the store's aim was to provide games merchandise that was "nice quality garments without being over the top in cost."

The AWG merchandising team has been getting a lot of good comments on the products, she added.

Cyr said that the store opened as planned, adding they started selling merchandise out of the games office prior to the storefront location, but that it was very low-key in anticipation of a dedicated space.

"We felt now would be a good time to start," Cyr said in reference to the opening of Foxy's Den. She said they were happy to find a commercial space that was the right size, and visible to the public.

AWG spokesperson Dave Hurley said the space Foxy's is in was donated to the games by Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust, something the Games committee was very grateful for.

Cyr is also excited for things to come.

"We are aiming to be a contender for Christmas shopping," she said.

The store is currently operating Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Heslep is the only person working in the shop at the moment.

Both she and Cyr said the AWG is always looking for more volunteers, especially as the games get closer. Cyr said that they plan on running several merchandise kiosks during the games at prominent venues such as the Multiplex. She's expecting that to be a hectic time.

"It will be a full week of just running around and re-stocking," said Cyr.