The Dance Box

We have had amazing, thorough point shoe fittings here. They really know what they are doing and have a lot of experience and expertise. Other dance shops in my experience have lots of young, former dancers working there who know what they like but lack the expertise to properly fit others.

My daughter’s ballet teacher suggested we see the ladies’ at the Dance Box to be fitted for her 2^nd pair of Pointe shoes. To be honest, after reading the other reviews on here I almost refused to take her. However, I called and made the appointment and thought we’d see how it went.
I am so happy we went there! The women are fabulous! Helpful and super knowledgeable. Erin spent a long time fitting my daughter’s feet. She was so patient and professional. I will not go anywhere else. I am so grateful we found the Dance Box.

I can’t believe this place is still in business. I went here YEARS ago to get some shoes for various dance classes. The service was miserable and rude. I am not a violent person but this woman deserves whatever is coming to her.
Maybe they are involved in money laundering or something because there is absolutely no reason these people should still be around. Much less after I looked at some of the reviews from more recently.

Don’t, just don’t come here, ever. Extremely rude and arrogant staff, rip off prices, and terrible service. Go to the Dance Shop on West Broadway instead.

I have an issue patronizing retail stores where your relationship ends upon leaving the store with your goods. I too had a bad experience. I was a 1^st and last time shopper there. My daughter had an issue with a suit that gave her a rash and the woman (I think she ws the owner!!) was not even a little nice about it. Never offered a refund, a discount on a future purchase, no smile, sorry nor Thank You, Too many other places to shop. I let our gymnastics club know about it but want others to beware.

I will NEVER go back to this place!!! I went into the store as I was working close by and thought Id stop in to inquire about a long sleeve body suit for my daughter. The woman working there was extremely rude and first said they didn’t have any. Then she came across a black body suit and I asked if they had a pink one. She replied NO! Then she started going off about dance students not being aloud to wear long sleeved body suits. I looked at her in shock. Who are you to tell me that all dance students are excluded from wearing body suits. I never asked for her opinion but she sure felt compelled to give it. I advised her my daughter has been dancing since she was 2yrs old and has never had issues. First hand the kids are so young and in the winter times, they ‘re wearing a shall over top their sleeveless suits so what difference would it make if she had a long sleeved body suit? I also advised her that the school had no concerns for the past 2 yrs and not sure where she was coming from when she felt inclined to comment so rudely. I was always pre warned by other parents in my daughters dance school not to go there for very similar experiences. The lady working there was very rude and their prices are much higher than most dance stores. I also spoke to the owner of another dance store not far from the Coquitlam location and she too mentioned many of her customers drive out of there way to go to her store cause of bad customer service at the Dance Box! To the lady working at the Dance Box… you my dear made a very bad mistake! I spend over $ 500 a year in ballet attire and know a lot of people in the industry and will be passing the word not to shop at your store! Im sure with the existing bad reputation… it wont be long before you’re out of business!!!

I love this store. All of the staff are so knowledgeable and ready to help you. As someone who came into dance later in life (a brief go at ballet in childhood notwithstanding) I find I felt a little intimidated walking into a dance supply store at first. I didn’t know exactly what to expect and worried that I would be snickered at in secret by the younger employees (imagine being 32 and buying ballet slippers for yourself, from someone who could almost be your daughter!).
Anyway…all the staff, from the 20-​something girls to Mrs. Russ Duncan in her Red Hat, the lovely lady who owned the place (I just found out she passed away recently) were wonderfully helpful. They take their time to make sure you get the perfect fit for your dance footwear. The store seems really well stocked, and it’s a tiny place to boot! Racks upon racks of everything you need for dance… they do carry ballroom shoes as well as ballet jazz and tap shoes, and the apparel seems to be mostly ballet/​jazz/​tap as well. Newer adult dancers beware: dancewear fits small! I ended up having to return a leotard as it just didn’t fit right, and the employee who helped me kindly advised that if you don’t have a «dancers body», meaning a body that has been conditioned to dance for many years, that making sure to choose items that have 4-​way stretch (as opposed to 2-​way) will fit best and most comfortably. And she then (very patiently) had me try on leotard after leotard, until we found one that was jusssst right. (as in, lots of stretch and a built-​in shelf bra for my… ahem…slightly more ample, not-a-lifelong-seasoned-dancer’s bosom!)
As I mentioned, the store is quite small and they have two small fitting rooms. It’s busier on the weekends, and at the beginning of each new season, so if you can, go on a weekday.
I have since visited the store several times for various items; it’s helpful that we have this in the Tri-​Cities area, as I would have had to dance myself to Vancouver to the shops there.