Stepping into the lobby of the Milne building at 560 Johnson St., oneB次元官网网址檚 eyes immediately dart left, then right.
Before long the visitor realizes theyB次元官网网址檙e in a retail shop. But itB次元官网网址檚 not just any store selling cards and other miscellaneous paper products. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a sense this is something special.
Most of the unique cards and paper at Regional Assembly of Text are displayed under the buildingB次元官网网址檚 grand staircase.
But against the other wall, surrounded by colourful stationery, are four stations with typewriters, available for rent to the public by the hour for a small fee. The quaint arrangement harkens back to a slower time when computers and the Internet were the stuff of futuristic fantasy.
The idea of sitting down to type out a note comes from the successful B次元官网网址渓etter writing clubB次元官网网址� co-owners Brandy Fedoruk and Rebecca Dolen began when they opened their first shop seven years ago, in VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of a challenging space,B次元官网网址� Mount Doug secondary alumnus Fedoruk says, looking around the lobby. B次元官网网址淏ut we were up for the challenge and fell in love with this space.B次元官网网址�
Unlike at their other store, where once a month 20 or 30 people gather to click-clack away at whatever kind of notes they wish, the Victoria typewriters are expected to have a different use.
B次元官网网址淚 can imagine tourists coming in and writing a letter to someone,B次元官网网址� Fedoruk says.
B次元官网网址淭he pace is slower. You canB次元官网网址檛 delete things so you have to compose your sentences (a little) ahead of time,B次元官网网址� Dolen adds.
The women liken their business model to the back-to-the-land trend toward single-purpose specialists, such as butchers, bakers and fishmongers.
The unique cards and paper are all designed by the women, who graduated in 2003 from Emily Carr School of Art and Design and have developed a thriving wholesale business that ships around North America.
TheyB次元官网网址檒l be based in Vancouver, but plan to arrange their schedule to be able to spend time at the Victoria location as often as possible.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice having a little space where you can see people enjoying what you do,B次元官网网址� Fedoruk says.
B次元官网网址� Regional Assembly of Text, lobby 560 Johnson St., open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Call 778-265-6067 or visit assemblyoftext.com.
Major donation boosts UVic business school
Students and staff at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria are sure to benefit from a $500,000 donation from Vancouver-based resource firm Goldcorp Inc.
The funding will go toward the schoolB次元官网网址檚 Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation, which has launched several research and education initiatives with a small annual budget since being established in 2011.
Waterfront resort earns major kudos
Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa has received AAAB次元官网网址檚 4-Diamond Award for a fifth year in a row for hospitality excellence. The resort was also recently named No. 2 on Trip AdvisorB次元官网网址檚 Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels in Canada list and No. 1 amongst B.C. hotels, as voted by the websiteB次元官网网址檚 visitors.
WhoB次元官网网址檚 making news in our business world
World Culinary Olympics multiple medal winner Iain Rennie has joined the Oak Bay Beach Hotel as executive chef, bringing with him sous chef Josh Houston. Rennie comes from the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa B次元官网网址� The West Shore Chamber of Commerce has added a couple new faces. Craig Sorochan is the new community relations and events co-ordinator, while Laura Smithson takes over as manager of community engagement. Lindsay Wilson shifts to director of operations and members services B次元官网网址� Maxine Dell is the newest director on the Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion board B次元官网网址� Blain Lawson of Victoria is the new general manager of the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch. He is former president/CEO of Coast Wholesale Appliances B次元官网网址� Mischelle vanThiel took over as executive director of Victoria Hospice this week, replacing long-standing boss Wayne Peterson, who retired.
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