LETHBRIDGE – With the arrival of more than 500 Bhutanese refugees over the last three years, several stores in downtown Lethbridge have carved out a niche market for themselves by specializing in south Asian clothing and culture.
Lethbridge is one of the most sought-after cities for Bhutanese refugees who want to call Canada home and many of them are looking to for ways to maintain the traditions and cultures of their homeland.
“The influx of some of our refugees that have come into Lethbridge and area, are certainly noticing these stores with the different clothing and attire, so they frequent them often,” said Melissa Johnson with the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ.
Johnson said the city’s new residents are impacting the shopping options available in the downtown core. Over the past year, the Lethbridge BRZ says two stores catering to Himalayan fashion have opened.
Bonnie Parker,the manager of a new Nepalese stores in Lethbridge, says familiar brands and unusual items not carried by regular stores can be found at these niche shops.
“When they do come in, they are quite excited to see the fabrics and colours . It gives them that home feeling and even the scents in the store make them feel at home.”
Parker added it’s an untapped market and there is a great demand.
The BRZ said the recent waves of immigration will continue to dramatically change the urban landscape of the downtown core in Lethbridge.
“It adds to the vibrancy and texture to downtown Lethbridge,” Johnson said. “It’s really nice to share our welcoming and warm downtown.
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