Winter 2014

A window into the world of Roots

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

CREATIVE PASSION

Ilich Mejia

With her keen sense of aesthetics, Roots Design Director Diane Bald greatly enhances the brand

Forty years after first joining Roots, Diane’s artistic influence is felt on many levels

SOME THINGS GO GREAT TOGETHER.

PROUD 100% PARTNER

+

CANADIAN

The Printing House is proud to partner with Roots Canada.

TPH.CA

I S S U E 115 THE MUSE OF ROOTS .......... 4 Design Director Diane Bald’s seminal impact on the brand RED AND WHITE .................. 6 Roots co-founders officially become Canadian citizens BEHIND THE SCENES ......... 6 Introducing a video window into the world of Roots

MAN’S BEST FRIEND .......... 8 Meet Kazaa, resident dog and store mascot in Vancouver STRIPES AND SOCKS ......... 9 Iconic red stripe has a historic past and a creative future NEW AND NOTEWORTHY ... 10 A guide to just-launched Roots products DANCING SHOES ................. 12 Negative Heel Shoes have prominent role in dance piece HEALTH TIP .......................... 12 Foods that aid in a good night’s slumber FROM COVER TO COVER ... 13 Celebrating the launch of Roots: 40 Years of Style SPECIAL SWEATS ............... 15 Anniversary collection released for Taiwan stores RUNNING FOR GLORY ........ 15 Football-playing employee becomes Internet sensation KNOCK, KNOCK ................... 16 Spotlighting celebrities who recently visited Roots stores MUSICAL ROOTS ................. 18 Highlighting Canadian indiefolk artist Dan Mangan CHEF’S CORNER ................. 18 A spicy and satisfying recipe for vegan curry

Publishers MICHAEL BUDMAN, DON GREEN Editor ROBERT SARNER Interns JESSICA FISHBEIN OKSANA KRAVETS SAMANTHA PREDDIE ALEX RODGERS PHOEBE YUNG The Source is published by Roots Canada Ltd. We welcome letters from readers for publication. Please address all correspondence to The Source, Letters to the Editor, Roots Canada, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6B 4C4 or by email to thesource@roots.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Each issue of The Source is also available at http://issuu.com/rootscanada

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Leanne Reitsma

CARING FOR CARIBOUS .... 7 Environmental group protects animals with help from Roots

SPECIAL DELIVERY

A selection of recent letters from the world of Roots THE EXTRA MILE

Several months ago, I bought capris at your store in Oshawa, Ontario and shortly after, I accidentally left them on a bench in the mall. I called the store manager, who promised to let me know if anyone returned my purchase.

After the items were not found the next day, I thought that was the end of it. However, the manager called me the day after that to see if I’d had any luck.

She told me that she had spoken to the Roots Customer Service Dept. and that they would send me a discount card in the mail.

I can’t tell you how much her thoughtfulness touched me.

Good service is hard to find, and thanks to her, you can count on me to be a loyal customer.

Penny Comport Ajax, Ontario

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Last June, southern Alberta was devastated by floods that destroyed homes, public lands, businesses and commercial buildings. Exactly three months later, The Fairmont Banff Springs and the New York Rangers came together to help these communities through The Golf Invitational Fundraiser Shotgun Tournament. We are pleased to announce that the event, which Roots kindly supported, raised more than $260,000 for local flood relief funds.

Thank you for the part you played in the Golf Invitational.

As a result of your generosity, our communities are given a greater chance to recover, rebuild and move forward. The collective spirit of our community has surpassed our expectations, and we are reminded of the time-honoured phrase “Together we are stronger.”

Glen and Ann Sather, NY Rangers David Roberts, Fairmont Banff Springs New York, NY; Banff, AB STRONG SPECS

Three summers ago, I lost my pair of Roots glasses while working with my neighbour in her vegetable garden. Two years later, my neighbour came to my house and handed me something muddy – my glasses!

Despite sitting in her garden for so long, the glasses were in great condition. The nosepieces were intact, the frames had retained their shape and the lenses were fine. I washed them and have been wearing them ever since. They’re awesome.

Lori Anderson Keswick, Ontario

EXEMPLARY ENTHUSIASM

I’ve been purchasing leather handbags from Roots since 2001. Back then, I not only loved the great product, but also the enthusiasm of your staff.

Sadly, over the years, I some-

times felt there wasn’t always the same level of excitement and willingness to go the extra mile.

All that changed several months ago when I was calling Calgary stores in search of the Cutie Bag. It was sold out at each location, and I didn’t want to use Roots Delivers as I preferred to see the bag before buying it. I decided to call one more local store – Roots on 17th Avenue.

The staff member who picked up the phone was enthusiastic about the product and eager to help with my request. To my disappointment, she told me the bag was sold out everywhere except in Toronto. Understanding why I’d want to see the bag in person, she offered to get the product transferred to Calgary.

A few days later, she called to tell me the bag had arrived at her store.

This staff member understands what excellent customer service is. She was excited for me and made me feel like a valued customer.

Heather Bottomley Calgary, Alberta

EXPRESS YOURSELF We invite you to send us your letters and/or most creative photos or illustrations for publication in The Source. Please send your submissions to photogallery@roots.com The Source • 3

A PASSION FOR CREATING

Having been involved with Roots since almost its inception, Design Director Diane Bald plays a key role in the evolution and expression of the brand’s aesthetics on many levels. By OKSANA KRAVETS

V

intage and contemporary.

Indoor and outdoor. Rugged and refined. Though these elements seem like opposites, Roots Design Director Diane Bald has long blended them seamlessly to create a range of innovative, distinctive products. Latest case in point: the Beaver Canoe for Target home collection, a line of home décor accessories and home furnishings currently enjoying great success at Target.

The collection marks uncharted territory for the Rootsowned Beaver Canoe brand, which previously consisted primarily of apparel and outdoor items. For Diane, the creative muse behind a wide array of Roots initiatives, good design transcends the medium. With a portfolio spanning everything from architecture and interior design to apparel and accessory development, it’s little surprise she found a way to breathe new life into Beaver Canoe three decades after its inception.

Diane extended the line’s signature rustic style to furniture and home décor designed exclusively for Target stores in Canada. Drawing inspiration from vintage canoes, antique blankets and her own nature photography, she combined warm wood tones, cozy knit textures and sophisticated leather trims into a distinctly Canadian collection.

Leather goods and Roots Home items at concept store in Venice, CA

The project is a natural endeavour for Diane, who launched the official line of Roots Home décor and has long captured the brand’s aesthetic through inviting store designs.

She also spends her days designing bags and other leather goods at the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Toronto.

Diane’s involvement with Roots dates back 40 years. She first joined the company in 1974 as a saleswoman at the original store at 1052 Yonge St. in Toronto.

“My best friend was working at the store and I would often hang out there,” she says. “I had bought my negative heel City Roots and never took them off. I thought Roots was a really cool new concept and I wanted to be part of it.”

Other Torontonians thought so too: when Diane, then 17,

Warm tones and rustic textures in Diane’s Beaver Canoe for Target home collection

4 • The Source

went to apply for a job, customers were lined up around the block waiting to buy the shoes.

Store Manager Denyse Tremblay, who would later marry Roots Co-Founder Don Green and create the company’s yoga line and studio and Roots Kids, asked Diane to start immediately and promised to introduce her to the bosses later. Neither Diane nor Denyse could have imagined then how integral they would become to Roots over the next four decades.

Bolstered by the popularity of the Negative Heel shoe, the small store was constantly bustling with activity. The Roots brand captured the 1970s zeitgeist, reflecting a shift toward greater health consciousness and a more progressive lifestyle.

When she met fellow Roots CoFounder Michael Budman, Diane saw these attitudes reflected

in his personal style.

“My first impression of Michael was that he was unlike anyone I’d ever met,” she recalls. “He was handsome, engaging and cool.”

Diane worked at the Roots store for several months before leaving Toronto to study architecture at Ottawa’s Carleton University and the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Meanwhile, in 1980, Michael moved to Paris to oversee Roots stores in Europe. A short while later, he met celebrated interior designer Andrée Putman to whom he introduced Diane.

After Diane completed her studies in 1983, she moved to Paris to work with Andrée, overseeing major design projects like the Morgans Hotel in New York and Yves Saint Laurent boutiques in the US. Diane and Michael married in 1984 and soon moved back to Toronto, where Diane began working for Roots once again.

Her first major project involved designing the Roots Department Store on Avenue Road in Toronto, and she has played a key role in developing the company’s stores ever since. Pauline Landriault, Senior Director of Visual Planning and Store Development, has worked closely with Diane since the late 1980s.

“Not only has Diane been a great design partner,” says Pauline, “but she has also been

Inside the Quebec lake house Diane designed for Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Diane works on Annie Bag with Tyler Franch of Chatelaine

a loyal coach and mentor to me.”

The duo, who met while studying architecture at Carleton University, oversee each step of the store design process, from the initial sketches to the selection and placement of interior elements. Diane favours natural materials and clean, uncluttered layouts based on Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese approach to spatial arrangement. She pays homage to the iconic look and feel of the original Roots store while tailoring each location to its unique context.

“I never believed in the culture of creating all stores exactly the same,” she says. “We try to design environments that fit into the communities they inhabit.”

A vivid illustration of this approach can be found in Venice, California, where Roots opened a store last summer.

Working with her brother-inlaw, artist Jim Budman, Diane transformed a small 1921 home into an intimate, beach-house-inspired concept store. While preserving much of the building’s original structure and outfitting it with mid-century décor, Diane and Jim also gave the space a modern twist with minimalist product arrangements and an indoor/outdoor ambiance.

“The most important thing to me is how a store feels when you walk in,” Diane says. “We try to create environments that are warm and welcoming.”

This homelike retail atmosphere has characterized Roots for decades. During the 1990s, for instance, customers would ask to buy the leather club chairs used in the stores’ shoe departments. In 1998, the popularity of these in-store furnishings Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Wapomeo in her youth.

Franch, an editor at Chatelaine “Inspiration is all around us,” magazine, to develop the Annie she says, “from the design of a bag in honour of both compabird’s feathers to the beauty of nies’ respective anniversaries. a Tom Thomson painting. The In addition to her day-to-day amazing design within nature work at Roots, Diane has been and the man-made world surinvolved in numerous special rounds us in every glance – it’s projects at the company and just that some of us see it and beyond. In 1993, she designed others don’t. My architectural the sets for Indian Summer, a background also serves as an movie based partly on Michael amazing foundation for my work and Don’s experiences at Camp by equipping me to combine Tamakwa in Ontario’s Algonform and function as well as to quin Park. She is also an avid problem-solve.” photographer and regularly The same positive attitude oversees Roots photoshoots on that drives Diane’s work also location, often in the Park and characterizes her day-to-day throughout Canada. prompted Diane to launch Roots choices. When asked about her Diane has built up an Home, a line of leather furniture, extensive home design portfophilosophy on life, she responds bedding and home accessories. with a list of maxims by which lio. Among her most impresWith unique décor items she lives: “Be happy – a smile sive projects is the mid-town and luxurious furniture made in goes a long way; Treat people Toronto home she shares with Canada using quality European with respect; Give to the less Michael. Diane helped renovate leather, Roots Home remains a fortunate; Keep it simple – as the 1930s house and decorated more exclusive component of my late mother-in-law always it with vintage furnishings and the brand. Diane strives to create Roots Home items. She has also said, less is best.” items that customers can enjoy One of five sisters, Diane is designed a cozy, 500-squarefor years to devoted to her family and has foot lake come. “I altried to pass on her sense of house in ways try to wonder to her children, Matthew Quebec design timeand Alex. “It’s important to give for actor less pieces your kids time and experiences,” Michael as opposed she says. “At the end of the day, Douglas to trendy those memories will be a large and his ones,” she part of the story of their lives.” wife, says.

Having watched Diane help actress When take Roots to new heights over Catherine Diane with Mounties at 2011 event launching it comes the past 40 years, Co-Founder Zeta Roots and Travel Alberta collaboration to working Don Green says her contribution Jones. with leather, to the brand is enormous. “Diane On the horizon, she hopes to furniture is just the beginning has an exquisite taste level develop a Roots prefabricated for Diane: she also designs bags which has greatly enhanced the home or cabin this year. and other leather goods. Accordtexture, design and aesthetics of Born and raised in Toronto, ing to Karl Kowalewski, VP of the fabric of Roots. She’s a very Diane draws creative inspiraLeather Product Design, Dewarm, talented, generous person tion from her extensive travels, velopment and Manufacturing, who has always been a wonderher architecture studies and her Diane plays an invaluable role at longtime passion for Algonquin ful friend of the Green family. the company’s factory.

Diane is truly one in a million.”

Park, where she attended Camp “We’ve been working together for so long, we’re basically (Left to right) Matthew and Alex Budman with Diane and Michael like family,” he says. “Diane has a keen sense of style and colour.

She always has a smile on her face, a positive mental attitude and a willingness to help others and share her ideas.”

In 2013, Diane helped create two leather products celebrating the 40th anniversary of Roots.

She worked with acclaimed womenswear designer Smythe to produce a leather bomber jacket that turned heads at the Toronto International Film Festival and garnered extensive praise in the fashion press. She also joined forces with Karl and Tyler The Source • 5

Official ceremony included Canadian citizenship oath

New Canadian citizens with Ontario Lieutenant Governor David Onley and his wife Ruth

Inside the Ontario Lieutenant Governor’s Suite

WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS

Originally from Detroit, Roots co-founders officially receive Canadian citizenship

S

ince they made Canada their home more than 40 years ago, Roots Co-Founders Don Green and Michael Budman have wholeheartedly embraced the country’s culture and helped re-shape its image and sense of style. In late November, the duo made their longstanding passion for and commitment to the Great

White North official by receiving their Canadian citizenship.

Don and Michael joined 12 other new Canadians from seven countries at a ceremony in Toronto co-hosted by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor David Onley and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Friends, relatives and a small media contingent gathered

to witness the ceremony, which was held at the historic Lieutenant Governor’s Suite at Queen’s Park.

Making the event even more special, Don and Michael were featured in the Suite’s ongoing portrait exhibition honouring some of Ontario’s most acclaimed public figures. About Face: Celebrated Ontarians Then and

Now includes a photo of the cofounders taken by Roots Senior Art Director Ilich Mejia for the company’s 40th anniversary.

The exhibit, which comprises 75 portraits, is open to the public and will run until the end of March. Select photos are available online at arts.lgontario.ca/ aboutface/.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The recently launched Roots TV provides insight into the company’s inner workings

M

any people working in large companies often only get to really know one department – the one in which they work. As a multidimensional retail, wholesale and manufacturing company that spans most of Canada and parts of the United States, interaction between employees at Roots stores, the leather factory and head office can be limited. In an effort to increase employee understanding of the various components of the business, Roots TV was launched last September.

Comprised of a series of videos in English and French, Roots TV provides a window into the operations and inner workings of the company.

Posted on YouTube with links distributed by email, each video runs about two-and-a-half minutes in length, including sound bites from various employees.

The segments are presented in a quasi-TV news report style, giving people insight into a specific area at Roots and its contribution to the company’s success.

Viewers also come away with an understanding of how all the

6 • The Source

departments work together as a whole.

Roanne McCready, Special Projects Coordinator in the Retail Operations Department, appears in the second installment of the series, which is devoted to her department. She appreciates that Roots TV allows people to better understand what makes Roots tick and puts faces to the names of staff with whom they are often in contact.

“Since the release of the Retail Ops segment, I’ve had several phone calls from the stores with great feedback say-

ing they saw me on Roots TV,” says Roanne. “I feel as though we’ve made a closer connection with our stores by being a part of the video.”

Wendy Bennison, COO, is a big believer in the impact and use of the series. “Canada is such a vast country, so anything we can do to ‘narrow the distance’ between us is incredibly important,” says Wendy.

“Everyone who works at Roots, whether in our store in Newfoundland or our warehouse in Toronto, has an individual role to play – the sum of which is

something much bigger. Roots TV brings us together, creating a greater appreciation for the work we each do that ultimately serves our customers every day.”

Davin Bujalski, Music Director, and Robert Sarner, Director of Communication and Public Affairs, are the two people behind Roots TV. Both have a professional background working in video production – Davin produces and edits videos for Indigo while Robert has 12 years experience in television news as a reporter and anchor.

As both have long been involved with Roots, they have a good understanding of the company’s operations and its culture.

Roots TV is an ongoing project that will, over time, report on all areas of the company. The first three segments covering Visual Merchandising, Retail Operations and the Distribution Center are available for viewing on the Roots Canada YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/uwkPnQ3dICg, http://youtu.be/u8_ h29eA4Jw and http://youtu.be/ dCj7C9cmlos. The next segment will focus on the designers and merchandising department.

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

STAFF SHOW THEY CARE

Store teams in Alberta take action during the holidays

T

rue to the holiday tradition rose to the occasion to give of giving, Roots stores in families a better Christmas.

Calgary and Banff helped While invited to join the Calto make this time of year better gary team’s toy drive, the Banff for those less fortunate. Brianteam decided to do something na Willison, Assistant Manager closer to home to support their at the Market Mall location in local community. Kelsey FarCalgary, spearheaded an initiarar, Sales Associate, suggested tive to collect donations from Brewster Travel Canada’s employees “Stuff the of all six Bus” prostores in gram, which the city. collects nonAlong with perishable co-worker food items Kristina for Santas RinnerAnonymous, Dolinski, a charity that they used donates to Shannon Deon and bus with food for the money less privifamilies in need to buy toys leged families to donate during the to kids at holidays. Afthe local ter collecting Alberta money from Children’s the store staff, Hospital.

Shannon “When I Deon helped first ran the Kelsey with idea of dothe grocery nating toys shopping.

Brianna Willison, (left), and Kristina for Christ“Everyone Rinner-Dolinski with toy donations mas by all on the team the managers, they thought it was very excited to donate to would be a fantastic initiative.” this important cause,” says says Brianna, 20. “We were Shannon, Assistant Manager. pleased with the amount of “With the money collected, we toys we were able to donate. It were able to buy three prefurther inspires us to continue packaged family hampers, a to do our part in making a difcouple of boxes of cookies and ference here in Calgary.” a variety of tea and hot chocoIn Banff, employees also late.”

Woodside Outlet staff in Markham, ON working in a winter wonderland Standing tall in Barrie, ON

Team in Halifax, NS achieves 2013 goal of $1 million in sales

On display: Markville Centre staff in Markham, ON

Hang on to your hats: In late December, Roots store staff

wore toques to stand out among the crowds of Christmas and Boxing Day shoppers. In these photos, sales associates show off their festive headgear as they celebrate a successful holiday season.

RESCUING RUDOLPH

Roots and Earth Rangers join forces to protect threatened species

T

was the holiday season and all through the nation, Roots was promoting reindeer conservation.

In December, the company teamed up with environmental NGO Earth Rangers to encourage children to protect the woodland caribou, a member of the reindeer family that lives in Canada’s boreal forests. Roots created a kids T-shirt in support of Project Caribou, an initiative to curb the deforestation threatening the species in Manitoba.

Proceeds from the sale of the shirt, which features an illustration by Roots Graphic Designer

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Andrea Wang, will fund a study with Manitoba’s Nelson House Cree Nation (NHCN).

The study will draw upon the NHCN’s traditional knowledge of woodland caribou in order to pinpoint strategies for safeguarding the animals.

For more than 13 years, Earth

Rangers has developed projects and educational materials that empower children to take action against environmental decline. Based in Woodbridge, Ontario, the organization’s flagship program Bring Back the Wild enables young people to lead

their own fundraising campaigns for endangered species.

“Collaborating with Earth Rangers is a natural partnership for Roots,” says Retail Business Manager Hannah Siteman.

“Earth Rangers is focused on educating and empowering youth to proactively engage in environmental health and preservation.

The core values of both Roots and Earth Rangers are very much aligned, with a mutual respect for the ecosystem we share.”

The T-shirts are available in three colours and can be purchased at canada.roots.com or earthrangers.com.

The Source • 7

SHOPPING WITH PASSION

Results from promotional events underline popularity of the brand

T

raditionally, November is a busy time for shoppers at Roots. This time, it was more intense than ever.

With Black Friday, the Roots Sample Sale and the Friends and Family Event all taking place within two weeks of each other, it proved a veritable frenzy of shopping at locations across Canada.

The action began with the annual Friends and Family event. Customers who had received in advance a special discount card from Roots employees were entitled to 40% off their entire purchase. A week later, the annual Black Friday event had enormous crowds converging on Roots stores across the country and buying online. On the retail level, starting early in the morning, customers lined up to benefit

Bundled shoppers eagerly await entry to annual sample sale

from the 25% off entire store discount. The result: By the time Black Friday was over, it had generated the highest-ever oneday sales in the company’s 40year history. Around the same time, the annual four-day Roots Sample Sale took place next to the head office in Toronto. With

Promotional events attract thousands of shoppers to stores

lineups around the block, thousands of people braved the cold to purchase highly discounted apparel for men, women and children and leather products.

Hayley Hartwick, 35, of Peterborough, Ontario is a prime example of a devoted Roots customer thrilled at the opportunity to save some money ahead of the Christmas holidays. Using the Friends and Family discount, Hayley and her friends spent a grand total of $2,273 at the Roots 73 location, saving nearly $1,500. As a longstanding fan of the brand, she received the F&F card from Store Manager Todd Fournier in appreciation of her many purchases at Roots over the years.

“Todd always goes above and beyond for me and my friends when we’re shopping at his store,” says Hayley, a part-time dental hygienist.

“He’s very helpful with sizing and keeping me up-to-date with what’s new at Roots. The entire staff is very attentive and friendly.”

Setting out to buy a leather bag, Hayley ended up with outfits for herself, her husband and her two children – Annabel and Griffin – as well.

“I do most of my shopping at Roots,” Hayley says. “My son refuses to wear jeans so Roots is our saving grace to have him go out in public and still be well dressed. In the summer, Annabel lives in summer dresses from the brand. When it came time for the sale, I knew I wanted to get a new purse and had an idea of most of the things that I was going to get, but I also made some spontaneous purchases.”

Hayley saves $1,448 at Friends & Family event

A WAY WITH PEOPLE

Meet Kazaa, the new best friend of customers and staff at Vancouver store

R

oots has long taken great pride in the warm welcome store employees extend to customers. In Vancouver, at the West 4th location, that sense of hospitality isn’t limited to the retail team. Thanks to the presence of Kazaa, a seven-year-old dog that has been a part of the store’s team since last spring, there’s an added dimension to the way customers are received.

Kazaa’s owner, Ashley Tam, a part-time keyholder, brings the dog in during her shifts.

“I got Kazaa on Boxing Day in 2012 as a gift for my family,” 8 • The Source

says Ashley. “She’s such a gentle and sweet dog. I thought she’d fit in perfectly at West 4th, so I started bringing her to work in June with the permission of my manager.”

The chocolate lab has a storied past as a former RCMP bomb and drug sniffing dog at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Today, she spends her weekends at the store happily greeting customers and hanging out by the cash register. Often modeling Roots apparel, Kazaa attracts lots of customer attention, and store associates love

Valued team member Kazaa greets customers in Roots gear

having her around, too.

“Kazaa is a very patient dog,” says Store Manager Samantha Schoffer. “She’s unbelievably friendly with children, and often will carry a ball around in her mouth and drop it at customers’ feet until they pet or play with her.”

With treats at the ready, and water dishes inside and outside the store, the West 4th location gladly welcomes customers who bring in their pups when shopping. The pet-friendly store is located in the city’s family-oriented neighbourhood of Kitsilano.

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

HOW DO YOU WEAR YOUR STRIPES? Cabin Collection’s popularity continues to grow in creative ways

Women’s Wear Buyer Carmen Nunez with family in Toronto

I

t’s that time of year: time for bundling up, braving the cold, making tracks in the snow and showing your stripes – Cabin stripes, that is.

At Roots, the iconic Cabin pattern has become a winter staple, appearing on the brand’s popular socks and in fall and winter apparel collections, where it adds flair to everything from sweaters to scarves. Not bad for a stripe that started its career adorning the company’s woolen socks 15 years ago.

Like most Roots merchandise, the Cabin collection was inspired by the great outdoors.

In their youth during summers at Camp Tamakwa in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Roots co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green were impressed by a lot

of the outdoor clothing they saw there, including socks with red stripe accents. These socks, which were also popular among hunters, trappers and construction workers, served as the inspiration for the company’s original wool-blend “Back to Work” socks in the 1990s.

“The red stripe comes from those old-school socks that you see on men working outdoors,” says Lynne Morris, Senior Designer of Accessories. “It’s considered a utilitarian Canadian standard.”

Several years later, Roots began upgrading the product, switching to a less-itchy yarn mix and improving the fit so that the signature red stripe would stay up and peek out from wearers’ boots. The company went on

to introduce new stripe colours and transferred the pattern to apparel, other accessories and retail packaging including shopping bags.

“We love seeing how we can incorporate the stripe detail into classic Roots items,” says Creative Director Stephanie Holden. “Customers love having their favourite Roots pieces updated with a touch of the outdoorsy Cabin Sock and that unmistakable hint of Canadiana.”

Although the Cabin collection, so named to evoke the coziness of a cabin in the woods, has come a long way from its work-sock origins, it continues to evolve.

“The Cabin stripe is a key feature of what makes Roots unique this season,” says Lynne.

“We have made it a fashion statement that everyone can wear and enjoy. You can expect to see it appear in more unusual ways in the future.”

Creative customers are just as eager to devise unusual applications for the Cabin collection. Craft lovers like Marcia Miller of Toronto transform Cabin Socks into sock monkeys, a classic handmade toy previously featured in Issue 113 of The Source.

In the fall, a young customer took the sock monkey tradition to a new level by dressing as one for Halloween. Lynne snapped a photo of the trick-ortreater, who showed up at her door wearing the Cabin Long John and Socks.

Liam Kosek, 1, Windsor, Ontario

Marcia Miller takes sock monkey for store visit Issue 115 • Winter 2014

A trick-or-treater shows her inventive side

PREPARING THE TEAM

Toronto store holds special event for staff

he wind howls outside on a TToronto cold, rainy Sunday evening in but inside the Eaton Cen-

tre, a warm spirit flows through the Roots Central store. All 73 of the store’s staff fill the women’s floor, schmoozing as they wait for their holiday team meeting to begin.

Suddenly, Store Manager Codi Sellers appears at the top of the stairs to commence the festivities: “Are you guys ready for an epic night?”

For the first time, every single member of the store’s staff assembled together for a holiday meeting to boost team spirit. Special guest Tim Keramaris, District Manager, helped run the event, which featured fun, food, games and informative challenges.

“We wanted to unite the team to set us up for success in the fourth quarter,” says Codi. “With a large number of new staff, we also wanted to give them a chance to bond with everyone while participating in the group workshop.”

The activities included roleplaying exercises to establish rapport with customers, learning to accessorize shoppers, analyzing customer service issues, answering questions about merchandise and learning about the new Roots Delivers program.

“Before the evening began, I thought we were going to sit for a couple of hours and discuss the challenges the store has and reflect on what we’ve achieved as a team this year,” says Leather Associate Sabrina Lane-Smith.

“It proved more engaging than I expected. I also had a ton of fun with my co-workers.”

The event became especially animated when sales associates took part in a fashion show for staff, demonstrating how to wear and accessorize pieces from the winter line.

The past year has been a particularly stellar time at Roots Central, most notably during the holiday season when the store posted record-breaking sales. All signs point to another banner year in 2014, for which the holiday meeting brought the team closer together than ever. – Jenna Miguel The Source • 9

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A guide to just-launched Roots products

Aster Hoody, Burnt Coral, $80

Juniper Pullover, Flaxseed, $88

Lawren Cardigan, Scout Khaki Mix, $88

Sloppy Stripe Toque, Dark Flaxseed Mix, $22

New Shirley Bag, Zhoombah, Coffee, $358 10 • The Source

Mini Valerie, Zhoombah, Indigo, $208

Ariel Plaid Shirt, Green Ash, $68

Nanook Sweat Pant, Black Mix, $78

Zoe Bag, Zhoombah, Coffee, $288 Issue 115 • Winter 2014

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A guide to just-launched Roots products

Scotia Jacket, Olive Night Green, $188

Apollo Quilted Award Bomber, Grey Mix, $108

Modern Satchel, Horween, Spice, $498 Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Scollard Shirt, Scooter Red Plaid, $68

Soft Cuff Toque III, Vallarta Blue, $20

Small Banff Bag, Horween, Spice, $688

National T-Shirt, Flaxseed Mix, $38

Bayshore Hoody, Alder Mix, $88

The Graduate, Horween, Spice, $498 The Source • 11

HEALTH TIP

ON WITH THE SHOW

Classic shoes had starring role at acclaimed choreographer’s New York debut

T

FOODS THAT AID SLEEP

S

tressful schedules can get in the way of a good night’s rest. Changing your diet can help you sleep better. The following foods are super nutritious and will give you some much-needed shut-eye.

• Walnuts - Have trouble falling asleep? Try snacking on a handful of walnuts. This superfood contains melatonin, a hormone produced naturally by our bodies that regulates sleep cycles.

• Cherries - Containing a healthy dose of melatonin, this sweet fruit helps stimulate the natural production of this hormone in our brains.

• Turkey - Have you ever felt the need to nap after a turkey dinner? That’s because it contains tryptophan, which increases sleepiness and decreases the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.

• Whole grains - Rich in B vitamins, whole grains are great producers of melatonin. In addition to supporting the adrenal glands, B vitamins also promote healthy sleep cycles.

• Leafy greens and vegetables - Stress is no friend of insomniacs. Many people lacking sleep are also deficient in magnesium as this mineral decreases with stress. Insufficient magnesium can cause insomnia.

Eating lightly cooked veggies helps to keep magnesium deficiency at bay.

In addition to adding these tasty items to your palate, you should avoid certain foods to get some slumber. Coffee and sweets are both prime culprits for insomnia. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that impairs sleep, while sweets spike blood sugar levels that also hinder rest. So, in order to get some good shut-eye, cut out the coffee and sugar, and opt for a healthy handful of nuts instead.

• Source: ������������������������ www.canadianliving.com 12 • The Source

he recent 40th anniversary celebrations at Roots prompted many longtime customers and followers of the brand to take a trip down memory lane. The head office received a slew of congratulatory notes, many of which recounted stories and anecdotes from the company’s illustrious past.

One such tale came from Sandy Castonguay, director of a Toronto-based culture and entertainment consulting practice and Roots fan of four decades.

To mark the anniversary, Sandy contacted Roots to share how the brand’s shoes had once helped resolve an international costume emergency for a renowned dance company with which he was connected nearly 30 years ago.

dary: their performance footwear was nowhere to be found.

The troupe’s wardrobe had gotten stranded in the Netherlands due to a dock workers strike. Anne was adamant that without their Negative Heel Shoes, the show could not go on.

The dancers had worn the Roots shoes for rehearsals and previous performances, and they wouldn’t be able to properly replicate the choreography in regular footwear.

companies. After an anxious search, Sandy got a call from a footwear wholesaler in the fashion district who had purchased several dozen pairs of the shoes.

“The entire lot was rushed over to the theatre and all the dancers found a pair that fit,” Sandy says. “The show went on without a hitch and was lauded by the New York Times as a highlight of the dance season.”

Today, Rosas Danst Rosas still draws crowds and critical

*** October 29, 1986 was a big day for Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. The young Belgian dancer/choreographer had taken Europe’s dance world by storm with her mesmerizing, minimalist work. Now, she was bringing one of her signature pieces, Rosas Danst Rosas, to the United States.

After Anne and her troupe of three fellow dancers arrived for their sold-out show in New York, they encountered a major quan-

Dancers perform Rosas Danst Rosas in Negative Heel Shoes

Sandy, Anne’s manager at the time, had 24 hours to find four pairs of Negative Heel Shoes in the dancers’ sizes. He contacted Roots, but the company no longer had the shoes in its warehouse, having phased out the style from its North American product line several years earlier.

Word of the predicament quickly spread to Broadway and New York’s ballet and opera

acclaim. In 2011, the piece made headlines after Beyoncé’s choreographer allegedly plagiarized it in the singer’s music video for “Countdown.”

Last fall, the dance again garnered media attention when more than 1,500 fans around the world took videos of themselves performing Rosas Danst Rosas as a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the piece.

DÉJÀ VU

A voyage back in time to a vintage moment from the pages of The Source

M

usic has always been an essential part of Roots culture – from its retail Roots Radio and iTunes samplers to in-store concerts. One such initiative began nine years ago, when the brand launched a series of genre-themed music CDs. Following the tremendous success of the debut CD, The Roots of Motown, the company released a collection of reggae hits which was the cover story of the July 2006 issue of The Source.

The Roots of Reggae, an 18-song compilation featuring legendary artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals and Third World, hit Roots stores in the summer of 2006. Roots Co-Founder Michael Budman, who produced the CD in conjunction with Universal Music, has had a longstanding affinity for Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae. The country served as part of the inspiration behind Roots and remains a beloved travel destination for Michael and fellow company co-founder Don Green. Over the years, Roots has sold reggae-inspired clothing and sponsored Jamaica-related events like the country’s Goldeneye Film Festival and Canada’s Bob Marley Day. The reggae album’s popularity prompted the company to release a third compilation – The Roots of Soul Revue – the following year.

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

40 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Official book launch in Toronto attracts more than 200 staff, friends and media

I

n early November, the flagship store on Toronto’s Bloor Street hosted a special evening for the official launch of Roots: 40 Years of Style, a retrospective book that tells the brand’s story through engaging images and essays.

To celebrate its release, more than 200 company staff, longtime friends of Roots and representatives from The House of Anansi Press, which published the book, gathered to reminisce, speak with the media and admire the commemorative style book.

Attendees also had the opportunity to get their copies autographed by Roots Co-Founders Michael and Don and by Guest of Honour actor/comedian Dan Aykroyd, author of the book’s Afterword and whose extensive involvement with Roots dates back to its inception in 1973.

Among the guests were actor Donna Dixon, actor Jason Priestley, Right To Play CoFounder Johann Koss, Olympic Gold Medalist Adam van Koeverden, Indigo CEO Heather Reisman, Onex CEO Gerry Schwartz, media visionary Moses Znaimer, Anansi President Sarah MacLachlan, Zoomer magazine Editor Suzanne Boyd (who wrote the book’s Foreword), writer Noah Richler and photographer George Whiteside (many of whose images are featured in the book).

The coffee-table book, which was the cover story of the previous issue of The Source, is available in bookstores and Roots stores. Within three weeks of its release, it made the Toronto Star’s bestseller list and attracted extensive media coverage.

Diane Bald and Denyse Green

Co-founders sign books for guests

Dan Aykroyd speaks with media

Editor of Zoomer magazine, Suzanne Boyd, admires book with Raymond Perkins of Roots

Musicians entertain guests

Right to Play’s Johann Koss and wife Jennifer Lee

Copies of book on display at flagship store

Don and Michael speak to staff and friends

Guests enjoy catered food

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Lifestyle writer and Titelmedia partner Jeff Carvalho with Cool Hunting editor Karen Day

The Source • 13

FINE PRINT

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Brenda Cavallin uses Roots to connect to her newly found ancestors in Ireland

COVERAGE OF ROOTS IN THE MEDIA

Here are some recent sightings of Roots in newspapers, magazines and on TV and websites: • Valetmag.com: Dec. 12. Features Winter Baseball Cap in gift guide.

• Marilyn Denis Show: Dec. 10. Original Sweats included in men’s gift guide.

• Selecticism.com: Dec. 10. Created short video on 40th anniversary of Roots.

• Zoomer.com: Dec. 9. Jackie Bag and Mini Malibu Bag featured in ‘Made in Canada’ gift guide.

• Shay Mitchell’s Blog: Dec. 9. Roots apparel included in guide for ‘Winter Must Haves.’

• The Grid: Dec. 5. Lodge Fair Isle Mitts cited in gift guide.

• Steven and Chris Show: Dec. 4.

Stylist Afiya Francisco features Small Raiders Pack in Trend Alert segment.

• Huffington Post Canada: Dec. 2.

Spotlights Smoothie Toque and Brunswick Long Sleeve T-shirt in gift guide for men.

• Flare: Dec. Chunky Cabin Toque included in gift guide.

• Canadian Living: Dec. Edie Bag appears in gift guide.

• Teen Vogue: Dec. Includes Granny Slipper Socks as an ‘Ultimate Gift under $100.’

• InStyle: Dec. Alex Hoody included in holiday gift guide.

• Hello Canada: Dec. Gift guide includes Edie Bag. • National Post: Nov. 30. Highlights Award Jacket for toddlers in gift guide.

• Breakfast Television: Nov. 29. Roots products included in segment about Black Friday deals in Canada.

• CHCH TV: Nov. 28. Banff Bag appears in gift guide.

• Georgia Straight: Nov. 26. Highlights 40th anniversary of Roots.

• CoolHunting.com: Nov. 21. Gift guide includes Pocket Original Sweatpants.

• CTV: Nov. 20. Covers Michael Budman and Don Green’s Canadian citizenship ceremony.

• Chatelaine: Nov. 20. Jackie Bag is one of eight fall bags showcased.

• Flare: Nov. 19. Spotlights Roots: 40 Years of Style coffee table book.

• Globe and Mail: Nov. 16. Showcases Roots: 40 Years of Style book.

• eTalk: Nov. 11. Coverage of the book launch event in Toronto.

• Canadian Living: Nov. Spotlights Roots by Preloved collection.

• The Rush: Nov. 5. Don Green and Michael Budman join host Fiona Forbes in an interview about Roots: 40 Years of Style book.

• BC Living: Nov. Recommends Park City bag for traveling.

• Globe Style Advisor: Nov. Smythe Bomber Jacket by Roots included in gift guide for ‘The Party Girl’.

• InStyle: Nov. Alex Hoody included in gift guide.

• Fashion: Winter. Varsity Jacket included in gift guide.

14 • The Source

Canadian with newfound Irish roots wears Roots apparel in new documentary

E

veryone has roots and values them. Everyone’s roots are distinctly their own. Roots stands for pride in our origins and history.” These words adorn a prominent wall at the Roots head office in Toronto, evoking the poignancy of the company’s name. Such meaning hit home with one customer who discovered her own roots during a trip to Ireland.

While shopping at the Roots store in Sudbury, Ontario earlier this year, Brenda Cavallin shared her story with Assistant Manager Nick Dutrisac. It resonated with him, prompting him to pass it on to the head office.

It all started a year ago when Brenda and her husband visited Ireland for the first time. There, she met relatives she never knew she had and learned more about her family history.

Through a series of unlikely meetings, Brenda discovered the home of her great, great, great grandfather and met his descendants, uncovering a family unknown to her.

“The day I met my family, my husband was wearing his favourite faded vintage Roots T-shirt,” says Brenda. “He got so many positive comments about his shirt and its appropriateness that when we returned to

Canada, we went to Roots to buy souvenirs for our newly found family in Ireland.”

Following her trip, Brenda did extensive research on her heritage and genealogy, which led her to connect with a documentary film company in Ireland that decided to tell her story as a part of the ongoing TV series Tar Abhaile (“come home” in Irish). This encouraged Brenda and her husband to return to Ireland to learn more.

Roots played a major part in her wardrobe decisions throughout the shoot and also helped her connect with all those involved in her journey.

“As a matter of fact, I recently went to the Roots store in Sudbury to pick up a little something for the host in the documentary,” says Brenda.

“She was really impressed with my wardrobe choices while filming, which consisted mostly of pieces from Roots.”

In the lead-up to Christmas, Brenda arranged Roots packages for stocking stuffers, which she made out of the brand’s Cabin Socks. For her, Roots is the ideal way of displaying her Canadian pride while also connecting to her Irish heritage.

GREAT MOMENTS IN RETAIL

Spotlighting the top performing Roots stores based on their sales results

S

hortly before this issue of The Source went to press, we received the final sales figures for Roots stores in recent months.

Taking the top spot for sales in December was the Scarborough store in Ontario, while the November spot went to the Park Royal store in Vancouver, British Columbia (pictured).

As for the Roots 73/Outlet category, the Jackson Square store in Hamilton, Ontario claimed the top spot in both December and November.

Congratulations to Shireen Holmes, Manager of the Scarborough store; Linda Guthrie, Manager of the Park Royal store; Greg Pare, Manager of the Jackson Square store; and to their respective teams for their winning performances.

Hats off to all of the other stores that surpassed their sales goals in November and December.

Park Royal team, back row (L to R): Melissa Bauch, Kate Ellis, Jessica Lamb, Laura Hadden. Front row (L to R): Maryam Zamanigohar, Linda Guthrie (Manager), Connie Noh. (Missing from this photo: Jackie Nattress)

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

DRAWING IN DUBA

German citizen joins Roots family as sales associate after arriving in Canada

T

CELEBRATING THE CLASSICS Special collection adds new life to familiar styles

A

s Roots wrapped up its 40th anniversary celebrations in late 2013, the company paid homage to some of its most iconic looks by releasing a special line of hoodies, track pants and graphic T-shirts in Taiwan.

“The inspiration behind the collection is simple,” says Associate Designer Sisi Jiang. “Let’s celebrate our brand pillars: leather and fleece.”

Designed by the company’s franchise Asia team, the products feature classic logos from decades past, such as the beaver icon created by Heather Cooper, the Roots Sporting Goods emblem and the Roots Beaver Athletics design from the wildly popular 1980s sweatshirt line.

The designers used non-traditional treatment and placement to give these logos a contemporary twist.

The collection’s detailing – including suede trims and small Negative-Heel-Shoe-shaped embellishments – harkens back to the brand’s original focus on producing leather footwear.

The items come in recognizable Roots hues, from the Baby Blue used in the company’s 1970s shoeboxes to long-time apparel standards like Park Green, Lodge Red and Grey Mix. “Roots sweats equal quality, whether domestically or in our rapidly expanding international markets,” says Sisi. “Each piece celebrates our heritage in premium heavy-weight fleece with timeless embellishments.”

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

he Roots family spans far and wide – from employees at US stores to staff at the head office in Toronto and retail locations across Canada.

This already diverse community is forever evolving, attracting both locally born residents and foreign immigrants. Recent case in point: Duba Cacic, a sales associate in Ontario.

Originally from Hamburg, Germany, Duba moved to Canada last summer on a yearlong work visa. Within a month of seeking employment, Roots hired her.

“I really enjoy working at Roots,” says Duba, who resides in Oakville, 40 km west of Toronto. “Everyone is very nice and has helped me learn all the necessary information quickly.

I thought my English might be a problem but I’m thankful and appreciative of the opportunity Roots has given me. I’m proud to be working for this iconic Canadian company and hope to learn more about customer service in Canada while improving my English skills, too.”

Prior to joining Roots, her

Duba shows her style at Oakville store

knowledge of the company was limited. She first heard of the brand when her Canadian boyfriend gave her a Roots T-shirt as a souvenir during a visit to Germany in 2010. Duba still owns that T-shirt, attesting to the quality and durability of the garment. Now, with lots more Roots items in her closet, Duba’s favourites include the Essential Tunic and the Western Riding Boots.

“I like the combination of the rustic boots and the tunic,” says Duba, 28. “It’s a perfect combination for an everyday look.”

While Roots is not well known in Germany, Duba believes it has great potential in Europe, where Roots once had stores in the 1970s and early 80s. Appreciating the quality and design of the company’s products, Duba hopes to continue working at Roots until next summer when her visa expires.

Given her positive experience with the company, it’s likely that when Duba returns to Germany, she’ll be a great ambassador of Roots.

SCORING BIG

Sales associate’s touchdown goes viral after attracting attention from ESPN Jaeden is known for his football prowess

W

ith the Super Bowl fast approaching, millions of sports enthusiasts have football on their mind. Among them is Roots Sales Associate Jaeden Washington, a 10thgrader at St. Michael’s College in Toronto. In the fall, he got his

first taste of sports stardom when a videoclip of his touchdown run made headlines and highlight reels throughout North America.

As he waits for the next high school football season to start, Jaeden is preparing to face his biggest challenge yet: topping his own remarkable achievement.

Jaeden, who has worked at the St. Clair Roots store since last summer, plays running back for his school’s Junior Kerry Blues football team. During a game against another high school, Jaeden took command of the ball and, with great agility, evaded numerous tackles while dashing to the end zone. The crowd erupted in cheers as the 15-year-old barreled through nearly an entire line of defence and scored a touchdown.

Two weeks after the game, which ended in a landslide 53-2 victory for the Kerry Blues, Jaeden posted a video of the moment on YouTube.

“My friends and I were sitting in history class making jokes about how this video could go viral,” he says. “Then, a week later, it did.”

After sports news network ESPN re-posted the clip to its official YouTube account, the touchdown run garnered extensive media coverage and attracted a combined 2.9 million online views.

“I must admit the fame was fun while it lasted,” he says. “It’s pretty cool to know that a lot of people around the world have seen the video.”

Jaeden has been involved in organized football for four years.

In early 2013, he was chosen to be part of Team Ontario Selects, which beat Team USA during a tournament in Austin, Texas.

He aspires to play in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and perhaps to pursue a professional football career.

The Source • 15

GREEN TIP

GUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN

Taking attendance of special guests at Roots stores

C

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

O

f the 20,000 kinds of fish residing in the earth’s seas and oceans, many are endangered due to over-fishing. If you’re a seafood lover, here are some tips to ensure that your dinners stay as fish-friendly as possible.

• Bigger isn’t better. The population of big fish, such as salmon, tuna, swordfish and shark, is dwindling. Their longer lifespan means they take more time to reproduce. Avoiding these fish will give them time to multiply and replenish the oceans.

• Think small. Try eating small fish like sardines, mackerel, tilapia and shellfish. They have a short lifespan and reproduction cycle, making them able to better withstand the pressures of high-production fishing.

• Flawed farming. Fish farming facilities directly impact the environment. They risk pollution from chemicals, excess waste and habitat destruction. When purchasing farmed fish, look for the blue label of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. They ensure the farmed seafood you purchase is raised in an environmentally responsible facility.

• Beware of the wild. While eating wild fish is better than farmed, wild catching methods can harm the marine environment. Other than issues related to over-fishing and habitat destruction, unintentional entrapment of an untargeted species might also occur. When buying wild fish, look for the green label of the Marine Stewardship Council. They provide standards for proper fishing practices that have little or no negative impact on our seas, supplying consumers with sustainable fish.

• Supportive restaurants. Ecofriendly eating doesn’t have to be limited to what you cook in your kitchen. Eat at restaurants that support eco-friendly fishing to help you enjoy guilt-free fare.

When shopping for your next bounty of sea creatures, remember the importance of sustainable fishing. Socially responsible seafood lovers can help marine life and ecosystems thrive for years to come.

• Sources: ����������������������������� www.ottawariverkeeper.ca; www.worldwatch.org

16 • The Source

elebrities have long made a point of shopping at Roots and developing friendly ties with the brand. Here are the latest sightings of prominent figures from the entertainment industry and sports world who recently visited the company’s stores or were seen wearing Roots. (Stores listed alphabetically).

• Bloor Street, Toronto – Canadian longboarder Cindy Zhou shopped for sweatpants and the Cabin Sock Cardigan.

• Bloor Street, Toronto – Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Dion Phaneuf dropped by to do some shopping.

• Bloor Street, Toronto – Toronto Raptor Rudy Gay picked up some Roots goodies.

• Bloor Street, Toronto – Buffalo Bills’ Stefan Charles did some shopping.

• Miami, FL – Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan was interviewed wearing a Heritage Kanga Hoodie.

• Polo Park Shopping Centre, Winnipeg – Winnipeg Jets’ Grant Clitsome stopped by for a visit.

• Facebook – Canadian musician Lights was photographed wearing the Varsity Jacket.

• Facebook – Montreal chef Chuck Hughes, host of Chuck’s

Day Off, is shown with his custom Weekender Bag. • Tumblr – X-Factor finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar seen wearing a Varsity Jacket.

• Tumblr – Actor and rapper Drake captured in his Varsity Jacket.

Stefan Charles (middle)

Chuck Hughes

Lights

Rudy Gay Dion Phaneuf (middle)

CHAMPION STYLE

Lower Canada College orders customized jackets for exceptional students

T

he Roots Award Jacket has been a staple of the company for decades, worn by celebrities and non-celebrities alike. This year, Lower Canada College (LCC) in Montreal used the venerable Roots jacket to outfit outstanding students.

Last fall, LCC’s Store Manager Christin Bartolo and Director of Communications Dawn Levy collaborated with Roots to create a “Champion Jacket” for championship winners from the high school’s competitive teams.

Initially, Christin explored various prospective suppliers in Canada and abroad before concluding Roots was the best bet.

“We were big fans of the Roots quality of leather and the jacket itself,” says Christin. “We

loved that it was made in Canada as we always like to support local manufacturing whenever possible.”

Christin worked closely with

Senior Product Coordinator at Roots, Mary Jane Carlesso to create the distinctive design for the school’s Champion Jacket.

“We paid close attention to every detail, right down to the stitching,” says Christin. “We

know it’s the little things that often make a big difference.”

The design was finalized last September, and students have responded positively to the jacket.

Excited and proud to sport their school logo, especially when it involves great style, students wore the jackets for a special photoshoot.

“All the profits from the sale of these jackets are donated back to the school for a bursary fund,” says Christin. “We are a not-for-profit business.”

Founded in 1909, LCC is a co-educational kindergarten to Grade 12 private school. This year, its 760 students represent 22 countries, with a quarter of the students speaking a language other than English as their mother tongue.

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

STAYING POWER SALUTING THOSE WHO GO THE DISTANCE

I

n November, December and January, many Roots employees celebrated benchmark anniversaries with the company. Congratulations to the following people for their huge contribution and enduring loyalty to Roots.

Alda Rodrigues, Leather Stitcher, Factory, 35 years Khoren Barkhordarian, Leather Shoe Soler/Laster, Factory, 20 years Giovanni Filippelli, Leather Cutter, Factory, 20 years Rozalia Mlynarczyk, Leather Stitcher, Factory, 20 years Danny Tsatsanis, Leather Cutter, Factory, 20 years Anh Nguyen, Leather Sewing Machine Operator, Factory, 15 years Ecaterini Williams, Buyer: Toddler and Baby Dept., Roots 73, 10 years Anjali Altamirano, Keyholder, Orfus Road, Toronto, 5 years Okojie Aluebhosele, Technical Support Analyst, Information Technology, 5 years Nicky Kalogeropoulos, Sales Associate, Montreal, 5 years Doris Lamoureaux, Store Manager, Quebec City, QC, 5 years Marlee Maclean, Photographer, Roots.com, 5 years Jennifer MacQuarrie, Store Manager, Dartmouth Crossing, NS, 5 years Euan Murray, Shipper/Receiver, Distribution Centre, 5 years Chin Yeung Wong, Sales Associate, Grandview, BC, 5 years Jacqueline Yang, Sales Associate, Grandview, BC, 5 years

STARTING LINEUP

Introducing the people who make it happen at Roots stores

As part of our continuing series of team pictures, this issue spotlights the store in Peterborough, Ontario. From left to right: Abbey P., Todd F., Janice W., Sarah W. (Missing: Abbey T., Amanda C., Bridget C., Claire B., Emma A., Giuli G., Jordan M., Kassi N., Rachel H. and Sarah G.)

ON THE MOVE NEW APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS

Jason Beesley, Business Analyst, Information Technology, Head Office Christina Cook, Vice-President, Retail Operations, Head Office Jennifer Fritz, Receptionist, Head Office Leyla Lone, Senior Business/Human Resources Information System Advisor, HR/Payroll, Head Office Lynne Tierney, Order Filler, Distribution Centre Odessa Moll, Girls’ Apparel Developer, Design, Head Office Christophe Richin, Material Handler, Distribution Centre

MOMENTS THAT MATTER Please send us details of recent marriages, births, graduations and any other positive developments in the lives of Roots people and we’ll be glad to feature them in The Source. Send info to thesource@roots.com

Issue 115 • Winter 2014

Damon Steinberg, 4 months, Toronto

Marty Morris, 11 months, Toronto

Jahmai Mjasiri, 2, Toronto

Vincent Solyak, Montreal, QC

SPEAK TO MY AGENT Little – and not so little – customers show their Roots W

Jasper George, 2, Los Angeles, CA Christy Goodwin and son Brady, 8, Brockville, ON

e often receive unsolicited photos from people eager to show us pictures of themselves, their family members and even their pets, wearing Roots.

Sometimes the senders ask if we could use the photos in a future advertising campaign for Roots. While we can’t promise that, we are happy to publish them in The Source. Over the years, Speak To My Agent has

become one of the most popular items in our magazine.

Everyone is welcome to submit their favourite shots to be considered for publication.

Please send your pictures to photogallery@roots.com.

Be sure to include the name and age of each person or pet in the photo, place of residence and a sentence stating that you agree for the photo to be used in The Source.

The Source • 17

MUSICAL ROOTS

Spotlighting Canadian singer/songwriter Dan Mangan

V

ancouver-based singer/ songwriter Dan Mangan has had quite a journey through the Canadian music circuit. His rise to fame in the indie music scene began in 2003, at age 20, when he released his first extended play record. Ten years later, Dan has six albums under his belt, and many awards and accolades to boot. Honoured with two Juno awards and five CBC Radio 3 Bucky awards, Dan also writes about a range of subjects for various publications including the Huffington Post Canada and The Guardian.

Born in Smithers, British Columbia, Dan moved to Vancouver with his family at the age of two. Growing up in a household where musical instruments were readily available, music was a popular pastime for him. Especially influenced by his parents’ record collection, Dan cites Nick Drake and The Beatles as his early favourites.

Dan started his professional music career at university in 2003, when he released his first EP titled All At Once, comprised of acoustic songs. Two years later, Dan independently released Postcards & Daydreaming, selling the CDs at his live shows. With a stroke of good fortune, the independent record label File Under: Music picked up the album in 2007, releasing it with new artwork and a bonus

Dan Mangan has been releasing music on the Canadian scene for more than 10 years

track. When it was later made available in the United States, the album created a wider fan base for him while leading to more touring opportunities.

His stardom continued to rise in 2009 with the release of Nice, Nice, Very Nice, which included the singles “Robots” and “Road Regrets.” These singles earned airplay on Vancouver radio and satellite stations such as The Verge and CBC Radio 3.

The album was later licensed by Arts & Crafts, an independent label in Toronto, and released in Europe and the US. With his

legion of followers growing, this second full-length album further solidified his stature.

Nice, Nice, Very Nice was awarded the iTunes Album of the Year in the category of Singers/Songwriters, as well as being short-listed for the 2010 Polaris Prize. In the same year, he received the 2009 Artist of the Year award by The Verge and three Western Canadian Music Awards.

Dan’s newfound success led to extensive touring in North America, Europe and Australia, during which he shared the stage

with fellow Canadians Patrick Watson, Metric and KD Lang and international superstars Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. He’s also played at many international music festivals. Dan even performed for Britain’s Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2011.

A folk-indie musician at heart who strives to make music that’s contemporary in its appeal, Dan has gained more mainstream popularity in recent years.

“I never want it to feel like a recital of days-gone-by,” says Dan on his website. “I want every song to feel current, alive and relevant to the moment it exists in.”

In 2011, Dan released Oh Fortune, again with Arts & Crafts. It enjoyed great success, earning him two Juno Awards for Independent Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, as well as being long-listed for the 2012 Polaris Prize.

– Davin Bujalski • “Robots” and “Road Regrets”

can be heard on regular rotation on Roots Radio in stores. To hear more of Dan Mangan’s music, visit his MySpace page at www.myspace. com/danmangan

CHEF’S CORNER

Roots-friendly recipes that promote a healthy diet and bring pleasure to your palate

EGGPLANT AND BLACK PEA CURRY What better way to ward off the cold weather than with a steaming bowl of vegan curry? Not only will its hearty, healthy ingredients leave 18 • The Source

you satisfied but it will also add a spicy, appealing aroma to your kitchen. Great for potlucks or as a heart-warming gift, this eggplant and black pea curry is a tasty, communal dish for everyone.

Total time: 1 hour Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 1 tbs olive oil 1 large onion 3 minced garlic cloves 1 tbs minced fresh ginger 1 ½ lbs eggplant, peeled and cubed 1 ½ tbs mild curry powder 1 ½ tsp ground fennel seed 1 tsp salt and pepper ¼ tsp cayenne powder (adjust for desired spiciness) ½ cup red lentils ½ cup brown or green lentils ½ cup lightly packed fresh cilantro 5 cups vegetable broth 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained 2 tbs fresh lemon juice 2 tbs tomato paste

Preparation: 1. Preheat pot over medium-high.

2. Sauté onions for 5-7 minutes.

Add garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute.

3. Add eggplant, curry powder, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, cayenne and ½ cup of vegetable broth and cook for a couple of minutes.

4. Add lentils, cilantro and remaining broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 40 minutes.

6. Add black-eyed peas to heat through, and stir in the tomato paste and lemon juice.

7. For a thicker curry, leave the lid off for last 10 minutes of cooking.

• Source: http://www.theppk. com/2012/01/eggplant-black-eyedpea-curry/ Issue 115 • Winter 2014

A WINDOW INTO INTO

THE WORLD OF ROOTS

THE WORLD OF ROOTS A WINDOW INTO THE WORLD OF ROOTS

CAPTURING

THE MAGIC OF ALGONQUIN PARK Roots revisits its birthplace and focuses on classic designs, creating the perfect mix with its new fall campaign

THE SOURCE Telling the Roots story since 2005

Wayne Gretzky

True to our core values of health, fitness, a love of Canada and the outdoors, Roots is contributing a portion of the sales of this toque to the Trans Canada Trail.

For more information visit tctrail.ca