HBC

Interviewing John from HBC about their Steiff Bears, hand made in Germany. These are very hot collector items in Europe and Torino selling at 250 Euro, ~ $400

There are HBC stores set up at both the British Columbia Canada Place as well as Canada House. I took this picture of a gaggle of young Italian Olympic Village volunteers wearing the Canada hats that are available. We think they're a bit silly looking, but it turns out that the Italians really do love them (Robert's Flickr stream will have a better picture later). In any case, whether during regular public hours or even at the Whistler Apres event where I took the picture, the HBC stores are packed and Canadian gear is flying off the shelves. In part it's a love of Canada and the excitement of the next Games being there, but HBC has really put together a fantastic selection of clothes. Even the green has grown on me.

VANCOUVER - Starting today, Canadians have the opportunity to show their support for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by purchasing official Vancouver 2010 merchandise at select Hbc stores across the country. Hbc is the exclusive retailer of this first limited edition Vancouver 2010 merchandise until January 2006.