Owner Diane Thomson, in her 25th year of business with Diane's Lingerie. Photography by Rick Townsend

In its 25 years of business, Diane’s Lingerie has become both a leader for its high quality, branded lingerie, and a haven for women needing personal attention and delicate care.

Owner Diane Thomson and her staff are dedicated to making women of all ages, sizes and shapes look and feel great every day. They have helped thousands of breast cancer survivors boost their self-esteem with after-surgery products. “Many breast cancer survivors have told us we’ve helped save their lives,” said Thomson.

Rashida Samji is a breast cancer survivor who has been a loyal customer of Diane’s for more than 15 years. “She’s made me feel like a woman again and has been instrumental in helping me regain my self-confidence,” said Samji.

Diane’s Lingerie is also a long-time supporter of the BC/Yukon chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition to annual donations, the store enters a team each year in the CIBC Run for the Cure, donates gift bags and certificates, and matches the store’s sale of breast cancer pins. Diane’s was instrumental in raising the funds needed for BC’s first digital mammography machine by donating $10,000 towards the cost.

Diane Thomson with staff, family and friends at the Run for the Cure.

Thomson is an example of a business owner who cares about her customers and is committed to bettering her community.

But she says lower property taxes would allow her and other storeowners to create more jobs and contribute even more to the community.

“So many small stores are husband-wife operations who aren’t able to be at home with their families,” added Thomson. “If our taxes keep going up, we have to work longer and longer days.”

“Businesses pay more in taxes for services they don’t actually use,” explained Thomson. “It’s necessary to pay for our own private garbage collection and security because the services the city provides aren’t adequate. We’re not getting value for our taxes.”

Thomson would like the property tax share to be divided more fairly, so that more businesses have a greater chance of flourishing.

“Businesses pay more in taxes for services they don’t actually use.”

Diane’s has been a long-standing success story on South Granville and Thomson, along with her many loyal customers, would like it to stay that way.