John Atkinson
Coming from the commercial real estate arena, John already knew he had a knack for delivering outstanding customer service when he started Atkinson’s with his wife, Diane. His love of magnificent craftsmanship and his focus on the customer is central to the Atkinson’s Experience. John is always looking to improve the customer’s knowledge by presenting unique merchandise, exceptional quality and offering an unmatched standard of service. During a typical day at Atkinson’s, he can be found chatting to customers about his recent discoveries (right now, it’s as a distributor for Forno Bravo Wood Fired Ovens and the joy of cooking pizza in 2 to 3 minutes!!) John’s focus with Atkinson’s has always been on maintaining the uniqueness of the business and the personal touch. Moving forward, his goal is to see his children continuing his high standard of service and in-depth knowledge while continuing to source new ideas for the future.
Diane Atkinson
Diane has always loved Baccarat and Lalique crystal and exquisite linens. After a career as an operating room nurse, she decided to transform her passion for china, crystal and silver that she enjoyed while travelling with John, into a business. In 1984, she and John set out on a journey that combined bringing the exquisite brands they both loved to Vancouver and offering unrivalled customer service. Diane’s success is rooted in her personal attention to Atkinson’s clients. Many customers have had a long-standing relationship for over 20 years and she has helped them meet and exceed their expectations for their home décor. She continues to travel to find “the irresistible, the inspired and the exceptional” for this loyal clientele. Life for Diane these days is all about her family. She loves having their three children involved in the business and is thrilled to have them carry on the Atkinson’s commitment to quality and outstanding customer service.
J.J. Atkinson
J.J.’s specialty in the Atkinson’s experience is helping customers find the perfect crystal and silverware. He loves products with an innovative design that provide an elegant solution to a problem. He also takes great interest in the manufacturing process as it relates to creating enduring quality, and uses this knowledge towards helping customers understand the products and appreciate the details that set the best designs apart. J.J. has a keen interest in architecture and design and in his free time enjoys kitesurfing, woodworking – and of course – travel. Among JJ’s favourite products are Puiforcat Virgula sterling flatware, Stelton’s take away tray, and the always amazing Pratesi bed linens. For the future, J.J. plans for Atkinson’s to keep doing what they do best: helping customers define their homes with truly unique home décor solutions.
Danny Atkinson
As an avid cook, Danny is opinionated about all things food related. You’ll find great expertise in chef’s knives, cookware as well as wine glasses and barware. He is a great resource for cooking and entertaining at home and enjoys taking advantage of Vancouver’s dining scene. Danny loves anything with a clean modern feel, especially selections from Baccarat, Stelton, Dunhill and Robbe & Berking. Working with family provides Danny with a level of comfort and candour that allows him to “call it as he sees it”, and allows him the input to make sure customers have access to latest in quality trends and styles.
Becky Atkinson
A graduate of Trinity Western University, Becky played basketball all through university and likes to let her energy and competitiveness shine through her work. She brings great organizational skills to her role coordinating Atkinson’s bridal registries. The wedding registry business is an important aspect of Atkinson’s service and demands a lot of attention to detail so the wedding couple and their guests who purchase gifts have a very positive experience. It is an important fact that long after the wedding dress has been packed away and the wedding bouquet has faded, the wedding gifts remain the longest lasting legacy of a wedding and become an important part of creating a home together. Becky loves working in the family business as it allows her to be immersed in the “real life school of business”. Becky says that when you work with family, there is more pressure, more fun, more expectations and ultimately, more satisfaction, as it becomes more than just a job.
Crystal Moon
Crystal began working with Atkinson’s during Christmas 2003, and although she had a brief hiatus away in the hospitality industry, she is back as a full-time staff member. Crystal offers wonderful customer service as she is comfortable in all areas of the store. With her passion for interior design, she can help coordinate an entire look from dinnerware to crystal to linens. She loves working with classic and contemporary designs that create statements in the home. Her special area of expertise revolves around linens and textiles for the home , including bed, bath and table. A current favourite are the dramatic black “Brain Bookends” by Canadian designer Karim Rashid. She will take the time to help you explore options and styles to bring your home to life.
Kora
With a background in Fine Arts and Stage Design, Kora uses her creative skills towards helping customers create imaginative ideas for their homes. She works mainly within the tabletop section of the store, and enjoys finding the perfect dinnerware to suit each customer’s lifestyle. Like other staff members, Kora’s goal is to help shoppers add beautiful things to their lives. With her arts background and a love of colour, Kora especially enjoys assisting shoppers create fabulous colour combinations or offer solutions to their colour challenges. She can be found throughout the day finding the perfect way to arrange merchandise. Kora’s favourites in the Atkinson’s selection include Le Jacquard Francais, Hermes Cheval d’Orient dinnerware, as well as the Baccarat Abysse collection. She loves simplistic luxury, and believes that one graceful, enduring piece can give pleasure for a lifetime.
