by Corey Matsumoto
When a community’s overall health and well-being is evaluated, the strength and diversity of its local economy trumps all other factors. A community that can’t provide jobs is likely not going to keep its population. Likewise, a community consisting only of large corporate stores like Walmart, Canadian Tire, and Shoppers’ Drug Mart won’t inspire the return of tourists, who likely have exactly the same scenery at home.
A diverse, thriving local economy bustles with unique owner-operated businesses—clothing shops, delis, bakeries, cafes, shoemakers, artisans, bike shops, hardware stores, gardening centers, furniture repair shops—each with a variety of products to offer. The big-box economy that Powell River is moving towards, although attractive to thrifty consumers (I admit to being one of them), places all such shops under one roof, condensing the workforce while killing variety and service. If you’ve ever compared a shoe-shopping experience between Canadian Tire and Pagani’s, for example, you know what I mean.
Worst of all, once big-box-store economy succeeds in total domination of the markets by using its massive buying power, putting small businesses out of business, the sky could be the limit for pricing. I believe this is the Big Box end-strategy that thrifty consumers fail to foresee. As a North American society, we’re selling out our local small businesses for short-term gain—just as we’ve already done to many of our natural resources.
It is, therefore, vitally important to support our local small businesses whenever possible, even if it means paying slightly higher prices for the goods we need
The key to a thriving local business economy is simply a community that supports it. The question is, Does the general public realise the importance of supporting local small business? Furthermore, do they realise how hard it is for small business to compete with the big-box stores? Read more »
by Corey Matsumoto
After three weeks of renovations, Local Loco’s is poised to reopen on Wednesday, November 21, at the completion of stage 3 of an ongoing “Work of art in progress”. The Loco team has worked hard to get a myriad of changes implemented in the shortest time frame possible.
The most notable change is the elimination of a wall separating the two rooms of the cafe, which makes a large seating bar possible and unifies the space into one larger room. “It’s really amazing, the difference it makes” says co-owner Skye Morrison, “It’s totally a whole new cafe”.
With this round of renovations, the Loco crew focused on finer details such as the creation of cedar trim work and the installation of ornate bar-table braces. The newly renovated space features a post-and-beam motif created with beautifully finished cedar lumber. Outside improvements include a cobblestone entrance and additional outdoor lighting.
The front counter service area has been completely revamped. A refrigerated display case allows patrons to preview some of the great desserts that Loco’s offers, and will offer healthy grab-and-go foods including wraps, salads, and baked goods. The art-consignment center now boasts a backlit display case with a larger capacity, easier to view.
by Stacey Forbes
Do you enjoy downtown Marine? Well, you can do most of your food shopping there. It’s wonderful: start at the north end of Willingdon and purchase properly stored nuts, and gluten-free breads at Kelly’s; move next door to Chopping Block to buy store made lard or tallow, meat and fresh seafood. Heading south on Marine itself, there’s the well-stocked Asian grocery store that is Golden Gate Variety. There are quality Middle Eastern items at The Flying Yellow Bread Bowl just behind. Across the street Aaron service, sells (unfortunately not Canadian) recycled bathroom tissue and “Kleenex” in nice big boxes. Rene’s pasta, next door, makes tender fresh pasta, sauces, soups, baguettes—all takeaway. His homemade gelato is as good as I’ve had.
Another block south and you arrive at BC’s first certified organic food store, Silke’s Organic Market. A pleasure to shop at, Marine Avenue’s newest addition features all organic dairy, chicken, fresh-ground flour and colourful produce, including an array of vegetables, fruit, and eggs from local certified farms. Aside from a very few items—this is real food. For good salami, prosciutto, seasonal cheeses and pastas in many wonderful shapes, stop in just 3 doors down at The Italian Grocery Store.
Unfortunately, south of the popular stores mentioned, there begins a decided lack of food items (hmm... we need a specialty food store and an all-butter organic bakery... anyone?) until you reach Rocky Mountain, lastly, for delicious country breads and fresh ground coffee. Be sure to ask your purveyors if they use any hydrogenated shortenings or margarines—you don’t want these trans fats. Here’s to quality food, and bon appetit!
by Corey Matsumoto
Owning a thriving pub has long been a dream of Shawn Bateham, a vision that is finally coming together at the historic Rodmay Hotel where McKinney’s Pub and Eatery is set to open on October 20th. Alea and Henri Newport augment their son’s vision with a passion for antiques and the history of the Rodmay Hotel. Alea’s relationship with the Rodmay started with an antiques-and-collectables-store she opened with niece Selena Asher-Richards called Charm, Chintz and Chrome. The “3 C’s” is located on the street-front corner of the building, and will soon feature a tea parlor and used books). Alea fell in love with the historic Rodmay and dreams of seeing it restored to its original glory.
The story of McKinney’s Pub starts back in July when the family reopened the historic Rodmay lounge as McKinney’s Night Boat Lounge on the main level. The Lounge hosted some fine events, like the sold-out performance by Shona Le Mottee, who returns for the grand opening of McKinney’s Pub.
Two months later, an opportunity to expand into a larger premises presented itself with the closing of the White Jag Pub. Work began to renovate the pub into a 1900’s craftsman style Irish pub, complete with detailed hardwood mouldings and high-end fixtures. A new main entrance welcomes patrons on Ash Street. All generations will feel right at home as they step into the warmth and coziness of the freshly restored interior.
The new bar set-up offers liqueurs and spirits including many quality scotches and whiskeys. The kitchen has also been overhauled. The pub, open for lunch daily, serves high-end food long into the evening.
The stage was rebuilt centrally to afford all patrons a prime view of the live entertainment that will prevail every weekend. The upgraded sound system supports a wide variety of entertainment, from live music by local and touring bands to comedy. Read more »
by Eva van Loon
There’s only one food outlet in Powell River where you can be sure that anything you pick up is organic. No need to peer at the small print or search for the organic label at Silke’s Organic Market at 4603 Marine Avenue--this is the only store in B.C. that stocks nothing but organic. Products are drawn from local farms, British Columbia, and, where and when necessary to round out choices for the customers, other countries, including the tropics.
“Folk in the community of Powell River are highly conscious of their health and diet,” says www.silkesorganicmarket.ca. Everything in the pleasantly arranged market caters to that need. Fresh vegetables are fruits are appetizingly arranged, a powerful stimulus to a more veggie-based diet. Packaged goods offer intriguing variety; it’s easy to spend an hour just browsing the labels. As for the chocolate, it’s the really good stuff, the kind which drains your food budget before you know it.
Pleasant as it is to shop at the Market–there’s plenty of parking nearby–there’s no need to leave your home. Silke’s Organic Market will come to you, first online and then by delivery. Owners Silke and Volker Pfeifer say, “For many people, our weekly deliveries of fresh certified organic products gives them the confidence they will always get the freshest available organic foods for their meals.” There’s a fresh list of what’s in the food basket every week. While the store is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., you can order online anytime, with delivery at your convenience.