It was 1981 when Joan Howell sold her successful consignment clothing store in West Vancouver, BC, Canada and was excited about a new adventure in the antique and collectible market. That same year, she opened Echo’s Antiques in North Vancouver.

Unfortunately nobody can predict when a recession is going to hit and it did shortly after the business opened.

As an independent single mother, Joan was determined to make the business successful. So she rolled up her sleeves.

Joan first started taking items in on consignment, looking to her “recipe box” for help. With no computers at the time, a recipe box was where she kept information on customers wanting to buy and sell items.

Noticing a fair amount of requests for discontinued china and silverware, Joan quickly refocussed, and Echo’s Discontinued China and Silver was born.

The niche took off, business quickly expanded, and several locations later, the Echo’s China Retail Store remains to this day at 1433 Lonsdale Ave. in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The unforgettable and unstoppable Joan still works in the store on occasion with her daughter Kristen Oostindie, who took over in 2008.

Only the Echo’s of today ships to loyal customers worldwide, earning a global reputation for quality and an uncompromising focus on good old-fashioned service.

Both mother and daughter share a love for the business, especially knowing how Echo’s china and silver pieces have been a part of family memories around the table for generations. And will be a part of so many new memories and stories to come.