INUVIK - If you need a wedding ring, a watch, a carving, a painting and you want some straight up honesty too, you go to Arlene.

Arlene Hansen is flanked by two of her biggest fans, Natasha Kulikowski, left, and her daughter Tamara, who both organized Saturday's surprise party. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

Arlene Hansen's boutique extraordinaire, Originals on Mackenzie, has been serving Inuvik residents for 20 years this month. So on the shop's anniversary, some of her most loyal customers and friends piled into the curling club lounge Saturday night to give her a surprise party.

Hansen's eyes filled with tears as soon as the presents emerged. The tears flowed with one hug after another.

In just two sentences she explained what the show of support meant to her.

"It's a surprise," she said wiping away the tears. "Just all these people being here and I had no idea."

Juanita Bourque attended the event and was one of Originals' first employees. Though she's long since moved on from the Mackenzie Road outlet, it, and the woman in charge still hold a place in her heart.

"She's done so much for this community; she's a sister a mother, and a true friend."

It doesn't hurt that she was born for retail, said Bourque.

"Anybody can walk in that store and she can look at them and know what they want. I don't have to pick out anything because she knows exactly what I like. She's gifted at helping people. She shoots from the hip. She's honest and she doesn't sugar coat anything."

An active community member, the mother of two is the former deputy mayor of Inuvik and is a current member of the Inuvik Quilting Guild.

Beyond just a business, Originals has become a community institution where many are as interested in sharing a hearty laugh with Hansen as they are about buying one of her best sellers.

With help from a team of employees, she enjoys what she does, especially knowing who's getting what for Christmas, her favourite holiday.

While plenty of companies, big and small, have come and gone over the years, the little shop on Mackenzie has stayed put. For that she's grateful.

"I sell nothing people need but everything people want," she said with a laugh. "It's a long time in a small community. I'd like to think this party is congratulations for continuing to be successful."

Longtime friend Barb Lennie also attended Saturday's celebration. She remembers when Hansen was in the planning stages of her store and sought business advice from her late husband. At that time Lennie was a little apprehensive.

"It was a big investment. She had two business partners and there was a lot of money involved. When it actually came to be, I was, like, 'wow.' But it worked because she's committed. She remembers what you like, she'll call you up to tell she has something you might like. She cares."

Bourque couldn't agree more.

"It's the most beautiful, nicest store we have," she said. "I'm just happy that Originals is still here 20 years later."

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