The Perfect Present: Bringing the cutting edge to Kimberley’s kitchens

Don and Isabel Lester take a moment from their busy schedule to pose for a picture in their charming kitchenware store, The Perfect Present. — Stephanie Warner photo

Though the pace of modern living quickens, certain things endure: a perfect set of kitchen knives; a waffle iron that conjures memories of lazy Sunday mornings; the stylish sushi set, which doubles as a talking piece at your next soiree. While small businesses in Kimberley come and go, The Perfect Present has endured as a staple in the Platzl’s changing fare of eclectic boutiques. While big-box stores continue to saturate the market, the success of business owners Isabel and Don Lester is a testament to the power of warm customer service, product knowledge and a little elbow grease.

I sat down with Isabel at the Bean Tree café, promising her husband that I wouldn’t steal her for too long—while Don provides the gab that puts customers at ease, Isabel manages the books and researches product with a connoisseur’s discerning taste.

Before opening The Perfect Present, the couple lived in Ottawa, managing a carpet business and driving trucks. They always vowed to return to Don’s hometown, however, seeing Kimberley as the ideal place to raise a family—which is exactly what they did. Their four children still live in the area, and some have even opened businesses of their own.

“You don’t come to Kimberley to become rich,” said Isabel. “It’s a lifestyle choice: sunshine, the mountains, friendly people that ask you how your day is, and mean it. The quality of life for a family is phenomenal.”

At first, the couple eked out a living with a janitorial business, but the hard physical labour began to take its toll. Kimberley was in transition as well: with the Sullivan Mine closing, and a push toward a tourist-based economy, the old paradigms were shifting. To survive the new Kimberley, adaptability and a little luck would mean the difference between flourishing and floundering. Isabel sensed the need to take a gamble: a gift shop was a far cry from janitorial service and carpet samples. Nevertheless, her passion for beauty and functionality, and her love of hosting dinner parties, made the leap to a household gift shop a natural one.

"I like to cook” said Isabel. “And I love to entertain people. It's a very enjoyable business. And men don't mind coming in these days, either!"

The Perfect Present opened 18 years ago beside the Royal Bank, in a much smaller space than its current location in the Platzl. From the beginning, Isabel’s instinct was to provide Kimberley with sophisticated products—the kind you find in the big city.

“When we first started the store we weren't sure of what direction to go. That's why we chose the name The Perfect Present, because then it can go in any direction. Over the years it’s evolved into strictly a kitchen store.”

Nowadays, a saunter through The Perfect Present will bring you face to face with such exotic appliances as the Scandinavian version of a waffle iron from Chef’s Choice—it produces krumkakes, delicate wafers stamped with a vines motif. You roll the wafers into cones, and stuff them with assorted fillings, your imagination being the only limit.

A raclette machine from Switzerland might also entice. For Isabel, the elegant appliance is her favourite dinner party accessory for the entertainment value alone: haute dining can be tactile and fun, with trays of melting cheese ready to be poured over grilling meat and veg. Add a few bottles of wine, some good friends, and you’re guaranteed a memorable evening. These two products exemplify the unique lines that Isabel brings into The Perfect Present.

When asked to define The Perfect Present’s formula for success, Isabel said that hard work and friendly customer service have seen the business through tough times, such as summers plagued by forest fires, or the SARS epidemic. For the past three years, however, sales have shown an increase, and the couple have treated themselves to holidays in Hawaii, Mexico and Ireland.

“We’re hardly suffering!” said Isabel.

She would like to eventually see the business taken over by a young entrepreneur, with the vision and energy to take it to the next level; increased integration with local merchants, on-site cooking demos and a greater online presence are avenues she’d like to see a future owner explore.

So, what is Isabel’s idea of the perfect present?

“It would have to be something I use all the time, and that I’m proud to put on the counter and look at. Something useful.”