A number of diverse businesses in the Valley have been breathing new life into the city’s economy.
Twin City Brewing opened this spring, and business has been booming at the Margaret Street brewpub.
Owner Aaron Colyn said there have been a few surprises since the brewery’s opening. “It’s been interesting,” he said. “I didn’t expect to have this many staff. There are 15 of us now. It’s pretty cool to be an employer and be creating jobs.”
He said the brewery’s demographic is a wide variety, from young professionals to retirees.
“I like seeing the different people we have coming in,” he said. “It’s definitely not just one crowd. We are trying to bring the community together over really good food, really good beer and really good service.”
Colyn’s business venture started with a crowdfunding campaign in 2014, which eventually raised more than $7,000 from 100 backers.
“I lived here my whole life, I come from a family of entrepreneurs,” said Colyn. “When I was first starting out with the brewpub, I didn’t know if Port Alberni would support it. That’s what initiated the crowdfunding.”
He said that he was in the process of getting his space and finalizing his business plan while the online campaign was running, and Twin City Brewing started to gain more support as it gained ground.
“It started to show people what this place could look and feel like,” said Colyn.
Craft breweries are cropping up all over the island, especially with the popularity of “brewery tours” with the 18-30 crowd. But Colyn said he was never distracted from his own goal and his own space.
“Sometimes it was a little discouraging to see how many were popping up and how fast they were popping up,” he admitted. “But we focused on our space in Port Alberni.
“There is this trend of buying local and growing local. I think it’s becoming popular again,” he went on. “But I feel like that’s always been the case in Port Alberni. This is just another hardworking Port Alberni business.”
Colyn doesn’t plan to add a television to his space anytime, but he is making arrangements with the city to put a patio outside of the building.
“The beer and the food is second to the experience that we’re trying to give,” he said. “I want the space to be a catalyst for good, positive change in Port Alberni.”
Desja Walker, owner of Haven Living boutique and apothecary, has also had a busy year, as she is planning the move of her shop on Adelaide Street. She said her business has outgrown the location after two years, especially now that she is collaborating and working with other artists and artisans, like Tashia Potter of Tashia Potter Photography.
“It keeps me inspired,” Walker said. “As a small business owner, sometimes it feels like the creativity is all on my shoulders. This way it keeps me excited. I can evolve and change and grow.”
Potter will have a photography studio at Walker’s pop-up shop on Johnston Road, which holds its launch party on June 21.
“Our demographic is women, so really it ranges from ages 20 to 60,” laughed Walker. “It’s a wide range. We do try to cater to that social media crowd, and those who are interested in shopping local, Canadian brands.”
Walker was adamant that there is a younger market in Port Alberni.
“I think there are not enough businesses that are taking that into consideration,” she said. “And realizing the impact that the younger demographic has on our community.”
Colyn agreed that there is definitely a market in town for younger business owners who are hoping to start up their own businesses. He cited Cloud City Apparel and Hone &Strop Barber Co., who share a space on Third Avenue.
“I think that was one of the things that made me decide to do this,” he said. “I’ve seen what they can do. There’s a lot of opportunity in Port Alberni.
“The city is willing to work with you, and it’s not too difficult to find a space that’s affordable.
“If I wasn’t opening this business, I’d be opening another one.”
Colyn pointed out that there are also a number of young families moving to the Alberni Valley, which opens up the market for those starting up new businesses.
According to economic development assistant Melissa Tardif, around a quarter of new entrepreneurs enquiring after business licenses are in their 20s, with the average age of enquirers being in their 30s.
“I had an 11-year-old asking after one the other day.”