BY TERESA BIRD
Alberni Valley News
When Marilee Alexander was on maternity leave with her son, she noticed something missing in Port Alberni – a store for children’s needs.
Alexander didn’t want to go back to her old job, and so with her 10-month-old son playing in the back, she opened Klubhouse for Kids in 2003.
Twenty years later Alexander says a lot has changed.
“We mostly focused on babies and were predominately clothing at the beginning,” says Alexander. “There’s been a lot of change in the community. We have had to diversify and figure out what wasn’t here.”
The diversification meant bringing in toys, books, puzzles, games and more. And this eventually meant not carrying some items, like formal wear and shoes, although they still carry clothing, outdoor wear and rainboots for kids. And they carry brands not widely available in Port Alberni.
Klubhouse carries the widest selection of Playmobil toys in town, as well as other collectibles like Jelly Cat and Schliech animals.
“It has been pretty neat to see little kids who use to come in, now coming in with their kids,” says Alexander.
Popular with the kids? The grab and go toys that fit a child’s allowance budget and the dress-up clothes.
“This is a happy place to be,” says Alexander. “A birth, birthday, whatever the occasion, people come in and they’re happy here. You can find something for anyone.”
Klubhouse for Kids is located in the Adelaide Mall on Johnston Road. During the pandemic, Alexander and her staff of four branched out and added an online store. Recently they added a gift registry, as well. To see more about what they have in-store go to: www.klubhouseforkids.ca.
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Alex Stoker was the only person creating permanent jewelry on Vancouver Island when she started her business last summer. Fused Permanent Jewelry Bar provides customers with custom jewelry without a clasp. They are welded into place.
“It’s more durable than a clasp. Kids can pull on it, you can wrangle pigs, trim goats’ feet. The jewelry doesn’t get lost or damaged,” says Stoker who lives on a hobby farm with three kids, pigs and goats.
Bracelets and anklets are the most common jewelry she creates and are popular keepsakes, personalized with charms. Best friends, couples, bachelorettes, wedding parties, keepsakes after a family loss, or just because, Stoker stays busy selling at markets around the Island on weekends and hosting events as well as private in-home parties. She carries 14k gold, 14k gold filled and sterling silver options. Stoker also designs and sells engagement rings.
Stoker notes that while the bracelet or anklet is welded it can be removed if necessary by cutting the chain. And she will re-weld, resize or repair for free.
For information on events and to see Stoker’s work, go to www.fusedpermanentjewelry.ca.
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Spice 7 Indian Restaurant & Bar has opened on Argyle Street in the Port Pub building. Co-founders and chefs Dinesh Singh and Anil Rana are from Northern India and worked in India and overseas. They are open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. To view their menu visit www.spice7indiancuisine.com.
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In case you missed it … the Husky gas station on lower Third Avenue is now a Chevron. Husky stations were sold by owners Cenovus Energy to Parkland (owners of Chevron) and Federated Co-op last fall. The station and store branding was converted to Chevron in late April.
Teresa Bird is the group publisher for the Alberni Valley News, PQB News and Westerly News. Do you have a Port Alberni business tip for her? Email her at teresa.bird@blackpress.ca.
