We are Stuart Arseneault and Raelene Johnston, the owners of Comox Quay Gifts. Although we are new to Comox, we are not new to the world of retail. We opened our first shop 30 years ago in the remote community of Refuge Cove, on one of the Discovery Islands. It was a small business, but our interactions with the seasonal tourist population helped confirm our path in the world of retail.
When we decided to move to Campbell River, we knew that we wanted to open a new, larger gift shop, one that would keep us doing what we loved all year round. Our small business, Innovations Gift Gallery, grew slowly larger, and over the years in Campbell River we built a strong clientele, and a solid reputation. In our 17 years in business in Campbell River we moved several times, finally settling in the busy new Discovery Harbour Shopping Center. At this location we made many close friends among our customers and fellow shopkeepers, and came to recognise most of the people who walked through our door.
After 10 years at the Discovery Harbour Shopping Center, we felt it was time for a new challenge, so we sold Innovations and moved to Comox. We are thrilled to be a part of the new, growing community here, and are eager to integrate ourselves into the Comox Valley. Comox Quay Gifts is a similar store to Innovations, but we’ve taken our years of experience and created a gift shop that, although smaller, can still satisfy anyone. Please stop in and say hello – we’re always eager to meet new people, or get caught up with old friends. Make sure to say hello to Kailey, our friendly mascot, a 3 year old Yorkshire Terrier.