An integral part of Fernie’s downtown, Commit Snow and Skate supplies Fernie locals and tourists with all the latest in boarding equipment and fashion.
Co-owner, Adam Laurin, says Commit isn’t just a store, it’s a lifestyle. “The whole concept behind Commit, is it doesn’t matter what you’re going to do in life, it doesn’t matter what sport you undertake, or if it’s education. Any genre in life takes your part to be successful at it, and if you’re not committed, then someone else will always get there ahead of you.”
Laurin created the brand of Commit making t-shirts and hoodies with two high school friends. “I came up with the idea to turn the brand into a store, and the original intention of the store was going to be to sell Commit clothing,” explains Laurin. “Because other brands and manufacturers can produce a better quality for a lower price, I ended up using connections that I
had through snowboarding to start bringing in product.”
Laurin brought his brother on as a partner, and together they opened up the original Commit store on Third Avenue. “I took on my brother [Matt] as a manager, because he’s extremely brilliant and awesome with numbers and writing, and all that business stuff that I didn’t want to handle at the time,” says Laurin.
Just one year after opening, Commit relocated to a bigger location on Second Avenue, and today, business is booming. From snowboards and skateboards to
clothing and accessories, Commit is Fernie’s one stop board shop.
Originally from Calgary, Laurin has immersed himself in the community of Fernie, involved in youth counselling and acting as an announcer at local sporting events. He says, “Anything that I’ve given to Fernie, Fernie’s given back to me ten fold. I’ll always give back to this town because the environment is so supportive.”
Commit is now coming full circle, with a new e-commerce website in the works that will allow the store to start selling the Commit brand again. “We’re going to be working with a factory out of Montreal and we’re going to be hand making Canadian clothing, with the Commit brand and logo,” says Laurin.
With Commit clothing set to be on sale by Christmas, and new winter stock arriving every day, it’s looking like it will be another busy winter for Laurin, and he’s not planning on slowing down anytime soon.
“I never planned on doing retail because it’s not a lucrative money making business, but out of love and passion we’ve been very successful. I love coming to work every day and I hope that continues.”