The SEED store has flung open its garage doors, looking to breathe some life into its new industrial location in Cochrane – 225B Railway Street (the backside of The Corner Co-working building).
The retail brand that began its journey some seven years ago by yogi Blake Ward is taking the eco-conscious retail consumer market by storm, as its products gain worldwide traction for their sustainability, quality, comfort and the ethics behind the product.
With a goal to be “crop to top” by 2020 (to grow hemp locally), Blake planted this ambitious seed to propel the success of the company.
“That declaration took on this crazy, turbo-paced roller coaster ... we’re out to transform the fashion industry.”
What began as a durable and versatile alternative to traditional men’s yoga pants – with SEED’s signature Antidote Pants – has expanded into a line of breathable, anti-microbial, fashionable daily wear for men and women using “the best fabric on earth” (hemp blended with organic cotton).
“We’re growing like a weed,” Blake said chuckling. He owns and operates the business with his wife, Corey-Jo Ward. “There’s a lot of story to tell about SEED.”
That story is woven into the fibres that bind the clothing that all began with Blake and a sewing machine – one that sits in the middle of the kitchen table he relocated into the centre of the shop.
Lining the back of the 2,000 sq/ft space is a row of sewing machines where each article of clothing is dyed, then hand-stitched by professional sowers who Blake and his team are proud to “pay a livable wage.”
The first clothing manufacturer with a commercial location to base out of Cochrane, SEED is also hiring – namely individuals to join their sewing team, with other employment opportunities soon to follow.
As the clothing isn’t mass produced and shipped from overseas, rather all made in-house, this is reflected in the price. While price tags that range from $160 to $287 for a pair of pants may seem steep to the budget conscious shopper – Blake encourages people to go through their closets and filter out the wasted cheap buys and one-offs that will inevitably wind up in landfill.
“We won’t use a Third World depressed labour force,” said Blake. “The idea is to buy less clothing, but buy better clothing.”
Blake explained the less is more concept, combined with the anti-microbial (stench-free) product has made SEED popular among backpackers and travellers – with room for only a few garments to see them through their world travels.
As Corey-Jo readies to launch a women’s underwear line, Blake said the new space will enable collaboration, business development and community gathering. In short order, Cochrane – and the world – will see more SEED products to clad the entire family.
Learn more at theseedstore.ca.
