Nods to both nostalgia and comfort in modern apparel make Gatley a welcome addition to women's clothing on Commercial Drive. The namesake for the shop comes from owner Wendy Newton's own history: "It was my grandmother's last name before she came to Canada," explains Wendy, "and it felt like it had the right kind of sophistication and hint of personal story to give it some heart, so I brought it back to life with the store."
In a rapidly changing neighbourhood that houses both destination dining establishments as well as the old standbys like the Food Coop, Wendy felt Commercial Drive was lacking in a boutique that sold the kinds of clothes she wanted to wear. "I was looking for something a little more refined than what the Drive might be traditionally known for," she comments, "but at the same time, it had to be practical, affordable and something you would wear to take your kids to the playground."
