EQ3 Opens Canadian Flagship Location in Its Hometown of Winnipeg
Furniture World News Desk on
11/4/2021
EQ3, designer, manufacturer, and retailer of furniture and home goods, announced that it has opened its new flagship and largest retail store at CF Polo Park Shopping Centre in the company’s hometown of Winnipeg. The new 44,000 square foot space, located on the shopping centre’s main floor, features an in-house restaurant by award winning Deer + Almond chef Madel Hitzer as well as EQ3’s new concept collection, Palli Home + Company.
“EQ3 is proud to open our first ever Canadian flagship store here in Manitoba and serve the community that has helped shape who we are through the expansive possibilities of this space,” says Peter Tielmann, founder and CEO of EQ3. "Our uniquely Canadian approach to design is deeply inspired by our hometown of Winnipeg, so we’re honored to share this work with customers, friends, and family at our new showroom.”
A Reimagined EQ3 Experience
Working alongside Winnipeg-based architectural firm Number TEN, the flagship’s slatted exterior was designed by former EQ3 Creative Director Thom Fougere. The interior was designed by current Chief Design Officer Enri Tielmann. The alluring new showroom brings to life everything quintessentially EQ3 with the addition of unexpected elements. The architecture and interior of the store pairs references to the Prairies with elements of warmth, incorporating features of herringbone flooring, traditional wainscotting, and pastel millwork.
The new location also acts as a hub of innovation for EQ3, bringing forward new products and technologies. Three dedicated design centres provide customers and interior designers areas for one-on-one consultation with sales associates and access to all the brand’s fabrics, finishes, rug swatches, as well as 3D visualization software. Digital video walls and QR codes directing customers to detailed product information appear throughout the space to deliver an immersive experience.
“With our foray into experiential retail, we’re taking a holistic approach to transform how people reimagine their homes,” adds Peter Tielmann. “We’ve created pockets of discovery in the store giving
customers space, tools and even nourishment, while they take the time to physically interact with the products and personalize designs.”
The EQ3 café, with its monolithic bar design and 40 dine-in seats, anchors the expansive space. The café’s menu, created by internationally renowned chef Mandel Hitzer, features a fresh take on casual dining influenced by local ingredients and California-modern cuisine, complemented by a full bar and unique wine list.
To mark the opening in its hometown, EQ3 is working with new brands, such as Global Trunk, OMY, The Dough Project, QWOO, Alessi, and Silk & Snow, to merchandise its kids, pets, and plants sections of the store, which are unique to the Winnipeg location.
Palli Home + Company
The new flagship also launches EQ3's new concept collection, Palli Home + Company, of vibrant furniture, rugs and accessories. The line features larger pieces of furniture with an emphasis on functionality and durability. As with the core EQ3 collection, all the upholstery items are manufactured in Winnipeg. The collection will be available at all EQ3 stores and online by early 2022.
“The new Palli Home + Company collection is made for modern living,” Enri Tielmann, EQ3’s Chief Design Officer says. “Designed to create endless solutions for unique environments, the upholstery collection combines modularity and function, complemented with playfulness and ease of care.
Sectional configurations can be configured, reconfigured, expanded, reduced and mirrored. All made with materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality featuring sustainable performance covers combined with feather and memory foam comfort."
About EQ3
Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, EQ3 is Canada’s premier designer, manufacturer, and retailer of home furnishings including upholstery, case goods, lighting, tabletop, and accessories. Established in 2001, EQ3 is a vertically integrated company with a reputation for excellence built on two decades of providing high-quality design and service to the Canadian market. The brand has continued to expand its US operations, increasing the reach of its distinctly Canadian perspective, timeless designs, and impeccable customer experience in North America. EQ3 now has 16 stores across North America with 11 in Canada and five within the US, including New York, California, Connecticut, and Chicago.