Originals on Mackenzie

10/07/2026

Originals will be closed Monday October 12th for Thanksgiving.

09/28/2026

Originals will be Closed Wednesday September 30th for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

09/22/2026

Next up for her staff profile Natasha AKA Tasha.
What year did you start working at Originals? 2001, I have worked off and on since then, this time since the fall of 2021.

What is your favourite section of the store? Canadian Diamonds and Pottery.

What you think you have the greatest expertise in, within the store? Probably the art, carvings, and sewing section.

What is your least favourite part of the job?Fluffing holiday trees in prep for decorating. Followed closely by putting away holiday trees!

What is your favourite client interaction or memory of the store? Many years ago a couple purchased a Canadian Diamond engagement ring together, and had it sent out for sizing. When it came back and I presented it to them, the man got down on one knee and asked his partner to marry him. It was such a cool moment to be a part of. Second to that I love visiting with tourists, telling them about Inuvik, giving them tips and tricks of what to check out, and always ending with "just be your smiling friendly selves and you will have a great time in the area".

What product currently in stock do you recommend to customers? And why? On the practical sense I like to recomend the euro-scrubby, everyone should have a few. Grandma's spot cleaner is the best stain remover on the planet. And for less practical stuff I always recommend DIAMONDS! Great for any occasion and always fit!

Who is the fastest wrapper? Me!

When should we hold the next wrapping contest? This coming holiday season! Should we do a fundraiser of some sort, and livestream the contest? Am I getting a little too much into this idea...maybe, maybe.

Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery in the store? There is one particular Canadian Diamond ring that I have loved for years. Also some of the Opal rings are absolutely gorgeous. I am lucky enough to own a few of the pieces that I fell in love with in the past.

09/18/2026

Next up in our staff profiles is Jessica. Jess lives away from Inuvik, but returns almost every year to visit family and work with us for the holidays.

What year did you start working at Originals?
-I started working at Originals in 2015. I was 15 years old. I really wanted to work at the store so I could wrap gifts all day long.

What is your favourite section of the store?
-I love the jewelry sections, self care section and especially themed sections. Think about the little holidays — Mothers and Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and especially Christmas.

What you think you have the greatest expertise in, within the store?
-I’d love to say jewelry or crafts, but I think my greatest strength is actually making people feel welcome and leave happy!

What is your least favourite part (dusting, fluffing trees etc)?
-My least favourite part would have to be dusting the picture frames and wallet sections. Although, it’s pretty fun to reorganize the shelves.

What is your favourite client interaction or memory of the store?
-I remember in 2015 in the old location, I was trying on diamond rings while Arlene was helping a customer. I got a ring stuck on my finger and started silently panicking in the diamond section. My co worker and I were holding in our laughs while I panicked to 1. Get the ring off. 2. So Arlene wouldn’t find out that I was messing around. It is still funny to think about to this day.

What product currently in stock do you recommend to customers? And why?
-I LOVE the Natura Soy shower steamers, definitely the eucalyptus ones. They help so much when you are sick. Also any candles in the self care section, but that’s because I am a candle lover.

Who is the fastest wrapper?
-Me, of course. Just kidding, Kelli? Tasha? Hilary? I’m definitely up there though.

When should we hold the next wrapping contest?
• I do love to participate in a wrapping contest. If I could choose, it would be in December when I come back to visit for Christmas.

Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery in the store?
-I had two favourites. A beautiful rose gold band with a morganite stone, which I bought for myself. I was in love with this beautiful NWT diamond necklace for so long, Wyonna surprised me with a gift on my graduation day and it was the necklace. It is still my favourite to this day!

09/15/2026

Our next staff profile is for Cheryl. She works with the team for the holiday season each year and is a great contributor to our team.

What year did you start working at Originals?
1998 for Arlene, the christmas’ and inventory for Wy

What is your favourite section of the store?
middle jewellery section

What you think you have the greatest expertise in, within the store?
customer service with a smiling face 😃

What is your least favourite part (dusting, fluffing trees etc)?
fluffing 🎄trees and putting the lights on.

What is your favourite client interaction or memory of the store?
finding something special for that someone special.

What product currently in stock do you recommend to customers? And why?
depends what they are shopping for.

Who is the fastest wrapper? lol
When should we hold the next wrapping contest? lol

Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery in the store? Ivory or crystal; Steve Anderson or Mary Levesque

09/12/2026

Over the next couple weeks we will be bringing you staff profiles.

To kick us off here's Kamdyn aka Kam one of our student hires, who has already been a great part of our team for 3 years!

What year did you start working at Originals?
August 2023

What is your favourite section of the store?
The gold jewelry section for sure!

What you think you have the greatest expertise in, within the store?
Selling, explaining and wrapping jewelry for customers.

What is your least favourite part (dusting, fluffing trees etc)?
Writing sheets of individual price tags. 🥲

What is your favourite client interaction or memory of the store?
I have, and I will always love working during Christmas and the town's tourist season!

What product currently in stock do you recommend to customers? And why?
Less of a product, but you will never regret having great quality jewelry in your wardrobe rotation. :)

Who is the fastest wrapper?
I would say myself or Natasha!

When should we hold the next wrapping contest?
Christmas eve!!

Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery in the store?
Any of the amazingly handcrafted jewelry we have will always be timeless.

09/08/2026

Originals Gift Certificates are available in the amount of your choice.
Valid for 6 months.
Applicable on all in-store stock.
If you can't use the whole thing in one go we will keep the credit on file for you.

Have a gift certificate you haven't used yet? Come check out the store today!

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Store Hours.

08/31/2026

We currently have a small selection of wedding items, purses and jewellery boxes.

While our coffee mug and table cloth selections are full and ready to peruse.