In 2011, Hans Woo was working in a boutique in Yaletown and her husband Justin Alm was finishing his degree and working at a coffee shop part-time. With degrees in fashion and interaction design, they wanted to create something together that would marry their Korean and Canadian backgrounds. The result was Woo To See You, a friendly online store, stocked with women’s clothing by Korean, Vancouver and international designers.
Justin created the website and branding and Hans curated all the product. “Justin and I share the same aesthetic,” says Hans, “very simple, but not boring, and very modern.” Together, they launched the online store, and then took the concept to markets and pop-up stores around Vancouver.
“We wanted to do something together and have fun,” remembers Hans. She, especially, enjoyed meeting people. Wanting to connect with customers more regularly, she and Justin started hunting for a retail space.