How well do you know your neighbourhood? Vancouver has long been a city of creative ventures and successful businesses, but many of the local places are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Made in Strathcona will tell you all about what’s going on in Strathcona, Vancouver’s oldest residential neighbourhood, and let you in on the secrets of the business heavy area. The tour, which takes place this Saturday, June 7 is open to the public and offers a chance to meet and greet with the creative minds behind the booming business hub, and get an in-depth glimpse into what makes the heart of Vancouver tick. The tours will include an inside look at local shops, featuring businesses such as AGRO, Propellor Design, Shop Wrong, and Eclipse Awards, among others.
550 Clark Drive
AGRO Roasters opened up in 2006 In East Vancouver in partnership with AGRODEV, a NGO based on creating fair trade coffee. They create artisan coffee and are among the few coffee shops that roast in house. Promising high quality coffee that upholds an ecologically and socially conscious approach, AGRO Roasters believe roasting is an art, as well as a science. Their Strathcona location houses their 12k roaster, which they use twice a week to create their signature coffees; it also offers a quaint place to sit and drink one of their many desirable drinks.
620 Clark Drive
The Butler Did it Catering, located in Strathcona for the past two years, is a catering and decor company. They arrive as early as 4am every morning, and can cater up to 4000 people at a time. The Butler employs 50 full time employees and up to 80 people are part time or on call. Besides delivering food to company luncheons or big weddings, the company also does themes to cater to all needs of their clients.
1295 Frances Street
The creative vision of five Emily Carr industrial design graduates, YEW brings the best elements of woodworking and teamwork to the table to create beautiful pieces of furniture and wood design. Not fearing scale of the project, and focusing instead on design and craftsmanship, the shop produces anything from jewelry displays to table and chairs. Ninety per cent of wood used in the shop is reclaimed, and the owners say they pride themselves on it.
821 Powell Street
Dressing stars like Oprah, Christina Hendricks and the funny ladies of Saturday Night Live, Christine is a Vancouver based lingerie company located in the heart of Strathcona. Christine Morton, company founder and owner, started in the business over 40 years ago, when she discovered a love for lace and a passion for fashion. Christine makes all of their own patterns, creating original pieces for any woman’s wardrobe. Much of their supply goes to Neiman Marcus in the US or to Holt Renfrew here in Canada, as well as several other shops, but they manage a small boutique in the front of their shop in East Vancouver.
55 Dunlevy Avenue
Last week marked the first day that Vancouver Urban Winery started brewing their first beer, a raspberry lemon zest, due to be ripe in June. The winery is mostly famously known for its kegged wine and newly opened Belguard Kitchen, but recently decided to try their hand in beer making, too. Located in a unique building in Strathcona, the space itself offers a unusual blend of comfort meets industrial; wine casks and candles sit comfortably along side cranes and distillers.
Visit MadeInStrathcona.com for more information or MadeInStrathcona.Eventbrite.ca for tickets.
