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The news:LOJEL expands into North America with first store in Vancouver.

Why we love it: Travel accessories brand LOJEL — which stands for Let Our Journeys Enrich Life — has set up shop in Vancouver.

The new store, billed as the first North American outpost for the brand, is located at 2183 West 4th Ave. in the space that was previously home to Bishop’s Restaurant. The 1,800-square-foot space features a full lineup of luggage, bags, accessories and more.

“The brand has a legacy of over 30 years as a multigenerational family owned business, during which we have honed our expertise in creating high-quality products designed to last,” says Rachel Draper, general manager, North America. “We focus on ‘Design for Repair,’ which means we intentionally design our products with the full lifecycle of the product in mind.”

This approach sees luggage feature replaceable wheels, a common pain point for wheeled cases, along with using recycled or sustainable materials.

Headquartered in Hong Kong with a North American office now in Vancouver, Draper says the company’s core customer is “anyone who values technical simplicity, lasting quality and conscious design.”

A Metro Vancouver native, Draper says the city is a perfect fit for the accessories brand.

“The city’s diversity, environmental commitment and deep care for the community align strongly with our values,” Draper says. “People here care about living a balanced life, and the city has such a strong sense of community, which is something we really wanted to tap into as we expand into North America.”

The price: Assorted.

The retailer:Lojel.com.


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