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Spearheaded by Dorothy Shoichet, Chairperson of Skycharter and Kirstin Mearns, General Manager of Merchandise Retailing at the AGO, the retail shop will cater to corporate aircraft owners, passengers, pilots and their families with a line of unique and distinctly Canadian gifts. Featuring bespoke display cases designed by renowned shopAGO architect Frank Gehry, shopAGO at Skycharter will carry a unique selection of products curated by shopAGO experts. shopAGO at Skycharter is slated to open during the last week of August, 2014, in time for the increased corporate traffic arriving for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Having recently completed a $1 million renovation, Skycharter is taking further steps to enhance the corporate travel experience at its FBO. “Customer satisfaction is always at the forefront of our minds,” says Shoichet. “Our marketing team, headed by the exceptional Carla Libralato, provides personalized care for each and every client. Mark your calendars, because this is a true first in Canada: shopAGO at Skycharter FBO.”
Kirstin Mearns brings to Skycharter a keen retail intelligence and an exceptional record of turning gift shops into profit centres. Creative, contemporary and adventurous, Mearns was exploring possibilities for an offsite boutique when Dorothy Shoichet approached the AGO with just such an idea in mind. With an eye on both flight crew and passengers, Mearns is confident of success.
“We know there’s a desire for distinctive, high-quality items,” says Mearns. “Recently an AGO visitor scooped up a one-of-a-kind jacket from our hugely successful David Bowie is exhibition. Partnering with Skycharter gives us greater access to this particular market and we very excited about the possibilities in store.”
Private FBOs like Skycharter offer efficiency and security of private travel. Golf legend Arnold Palmer once said, “I couldn’t have done many of the things I did without a business airplane. It afforded me the opportunity to be home with my family and at the same time accomplish the things I had to do to make my business and career successful.”
With the introduction of shopAGO, Skycharter hopes customers will augment their experience with specially-chosen and distinctly Canadian products.
