 MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA |
When Sherpa Adventure Gear opens its international flagship store near Darbar Marg on 1 October, it will be a dream come true for Tashi Sherpa.
Unlike other Nepalis who have emigrated to the west, Tashi travelled in the opposite direction. At a time when foreign investors are abandoning Nepal, he has decided to invest in Nepal. Tashi has not just returned to Nepal, but is setting up the world headquarters of his Sherpa Adventure Gear company in Kathmandu.
"I am a businessman, this is not a charity," says Tashi, "I came here because there is a high return on investment and Nepal has a very strong brand."
Looking around at the Sherpa down jackets, parkas, t-shirts and thermals in the store that is preparing for a soft opening next week, Tashi explains that the 'Made in Nepal' tag on the items is itself part of the branding for his products. "It wouldn't be the same if it was Made in Bangladesh or Made in Cambodia," he explains. Sherpa now makes most of its products in Nepal and Tashi says this is a strong selling point at a time when consumers around the world are turning against big multinationals outsourcing to China or southeast Asia.
The elegant brick and glass five-storey flagship store houses Sherpa's research and development unit, and will have two floors of clothing and trekking hardware that will be a one-stop shop for down jackets, sleeping bags, tents and trekking gear. The top floor will have a bed and breakfast called The Terrace.
"What we have tried to do is offer guests a family atmosphere in the middle of Kathmandu with all the modern amenities," explains Tsedo Sherpa, Tashi's daughter and vice-president of the company. "This is an American company with a Nepali soul.
We want to prove to the world that Nepalis can be the best in the world."
The decor of The Terrace is modern, and the furnishings reveal Tibetan and Sherpa influences. Indeed, the functional elegance of The Terrace is so cosy that two of the eight rooms already have guests in them--even though it hasn't opened yet.
Kunda Dixit
