Soul of the Shore is a boutique gift shop and art gallery featuring local artists, creators and makers from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Launched Nov. 5, 2022, owner Erika Hansen states, “It still feels surreal. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, especially considering that many of the artists I carry have become friends.”
A mixologist for over two decades with restaurant experience beginning at a young age, Hansen completed eight years’ worth of courses in six at Simon Fraser University and volunteered at a high school for two years in Vancouver in preparation to become a teacher, but experienced a change of heart prompted by the crash of 2008.
In 2013, Hansen was off work with an injury and started toying with various bath and body products for herself and friends.
Reflecting on her transition, she noted, “The skills I acquired in mixology while bartending translated surprisingly well to essential oils. Both require a harmonious balance of top, middle and base notes to create. The only distinction is that I now work with scents instead of flavours.”
She relocated to Nanaimo in 2016, built up her product lines and began thinking about opening her own shop. Until 2018, Cold Mountain Spa remained a profitable hobby for Hansen, prompting her to quit bartending. While initially considering a day spa incorporating her products, commercial plans were put on hold due to the 2020 shutdowns. Using her experience in running markets in New Westminster for two years, Hansen transitioned to organizing online markets via social media, through which she connected with many of the artists now featured in her shop.
Hansen expressed her satisfaction, stating, “When I approached these artists, most of them eagerly jumped on board. It feels incredibly rewarding to support other small businesses.”
After facing difficulties finding a suitable space in Nanaimo, she relocated to Port Alberni in August of 2022. After an unsuccessful first attempt due to a flood and building issues, she found a new location in Spirit Square at the Harbour Quay. Hansen expressed her delight, stating that the foot traffic and the presence of three markets on weekends have contributed to an “outstanding one thousand percent improvement overall.”
Soul of the Shore is now located at 9-5440 Argyle Street, in the back left corner of the Spirit Square at the Harbour Quay.
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Cheryl Graham has opened CG Hair Studio Supply Outlet at Harbour Quay, in unit 112 beside Soul of the Shore. Graham started her business in 2004, and in 2018 moved from Toronto to British Columbia—bringing her business with her. Since then, Graham had been selling hair care and styling products while also cutting and styling hair in her home studio.
Now located in Harbour Quay CG Hair Studio has a new home with a brand new shop and up-to-date salon furnishings.
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Another relatively new business in Port Alberni is responsible for the finishing work at Soul of the Shore. Brothers Chris and Jack Lotoski own and operate D.J.C. Renovations. Chris, who moved here from Alberta, is loving life in Port Alberni.
“Jack’s been here on the Island for a while,” says Chris, who came to visit his brother from Calgary—where, he noted, it is already snowing. “And I said ‘I’m never leaving.’ I sold my renovation company and I’m never going back.”
The Lotoskis provide renovations, handyman services, flooring, decks, fences and painting work. You can reach Chris at 250-918-4543 and Jack at 250-918-5020.
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The Grove–Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley Gallery has also opened at Harbour Quay, in Unit 7–5440 Argyle St. Formerly the Rollin Art Centre and gallery, the arts council had to move out of the Rollin Centre on Eighth Avenue to allow for construction of an arts-centred childcare centre. When construction is complete it will be connected with the historic Rollin House.
Until then, the City of Port Alberni has temporarily leased the former Alberni Aquarium space to the arts council, and the space opened with a new name: The Grove.
Arts administrator Melissa Martin and others are helping to revive the annual Christmas Light-Up event at Harbour Quay. The arts council used to hold its own festival of lights at the Rollin Garden. This year’s Harbour Quay Light-Up is planned for Friday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. (the tree will be lit at 6 p.m.). The event will feature music, pictures with Santa (bring your own camera) and shopping until 8 p.m.
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Jim’s Clothes Closet at Johnston Road and Adelaide Street celebrated a grand reopening on Thursday, Nov. 17, with a ribbon cutting and some fanfare.
When Don Ferster, Drew Bradley and the crew at Jim’s celebrated their 50th anniversary a few years ago with an expansion to the sales floor, they thought that was as big as the store was going to grow.
They were wrong, Bradley said. “We’ve doubled our size, so we’ve added 2,500 square feet. Behind the scenes we’ve doubled the back office and shipping and distribution centre.”
They took over the store next door, which used to be Deb’s Fashions.
Port Alberni is the flagship store for Jim’s Clothes Closet, but there are also stores in Courtenay, Campbell River, Prince George and most recently, downtown Duncan. “To support the addition of another store plus the increased size in Campbell River we needed to increase our distribution centre in Port Alberni,” Bradley said.
“We’re having the best year we’ve had in 54 years.”
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Businesses in Uptown Port Alberni will celebrate Moonlight Madness on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Shops will be open late, Santa will be at Steampunk Café and Coffee House for photos (bring your own camera) and there will be entertainment.
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Naesgaard’s Farm and Market has been transformed into a Christmas Wonderland. Their sparkly, tree and decoration-filled annual display is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily at the market, 5681 River Rd. Free admission.
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Coastal Community Credit Union has earned workplace culture distinction for the fourth year in a row. The CCCU, which combined all its businesses into one new facility in Port Alberni earlier this fall, was re-certified as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute Canada.
A great workplace, says the institute’s senior vice-president, is about the level of trust that employees experience in their leaders, the level of pride they have in their jobs and the extent to which they enjoy their colleagues.
“This certification is especially meaningful in the current uncertain climate, and our entire team deserves the honour,” said Bruno Dragani, chief people and administration officer for the credit union.
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Congratulations to owner Susan Kozlowski and her staff at The Funk Trunk, who celebrated the store’s 16th anniversary this month. And to Louise Pearson of Finishing Touches, who held her 43rd annual customer appreciation last weekend. Chris Washington at Flandangles Kitchen and Gifts just held her store’s 42nd annual customer appreciation event last week as well.
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Wynans Furniture celebrated its 67th anniversary in business. It was a bittersweet anniversary this year after the family lost their patriarch, Art Wynans, a few weeks ago. The Alberni Valley News offers our condolences to the Wynans family.
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Do you have a business-related item you’d like to see included in Business Beat? E-mail your information to AV News publisher Teresa Bird at teresa.bird@blackpress.ca.
