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Haven Living tries pop-up shops

Alberni Valley business trying to showcase new products
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ELENA RARDON PHOTO The new pop-up shop will be located on Johnston Road in the former Coho Books building.

After making plans to move from their Adelaide Mall location to a renovated downtown Third Avenue location, Haven Living Apothecary will not be moving after all.

Instead, Haven Living will stay at their Adelaide Mall location as well as open a summer mercantile pop-up shop.

“For the summer we’re going to have two spaces,” said owner Desja Walker.

The pop up shop will be located at the former Curious Coho Books, between Archie’s Hair and Golden Dragon on the lower block of Johnston Road, and will feature artisan workshops and free paint demos.

Haven Living’s lease at the Adelaide location expires in November, so Walker has until then to decide where she wants to relocate permanently.

“We would like to be out of this space by October for the holiday season,” she said. “We’ve outgrown this space, and we know that our visibility is not ideal.”

With regards to the Third Avenue space, Walker said that there was some “miscommunication” between herself and the landlord. She added that she did not fund the renovations that have taken place over the last few months. “At the end of the day, it didn’t feel right,” she said. “It was becoming too difficult.”

With the Johnston Road location, she wants to increase the exposure of her new paint line and workshops. She will be holding artisan workshops, fun and unique art classes, and will also be launching a small ladies’ boutique. The shop will also feature a collection of salvaged and vintage furniture, and Tashia Potter’s photography studio will be located in the space upstairs.

“Our goal is to provide something new and unique,” said Walker. “We want it to have an elegant, boutique vibe. We want it to be an inspiring space to promote creativity.”

The pop-up shop will be open on Wednesday nights, July 5—Aug. 30, from 6-9 p.m. this summer to coincide with Sunset Markets at Clutesi Haven Marina, offering drop-in workshops with local artisans.

“We want to promote creativity,” said Walker. “And we want to be exposing people to what we carry.”

The pop-up shop will also be open for assorted workshops that people will be able to sign up for, online or in the store. These are still to be announced.

“We want to make this the summer of creativity and inspiration,” said Walker. “We know people have a lot of projects they want to get done this summer. It’s about bringing the whole concept of ‘lifestyle’ into a space that’s unique.”

There will be a launch party for the Johnston Rd location on June 21 (also the opening night of the Sunset Market) from 6-9 p.m., featuring food, swag bags and signature cocktails. Tickets are $35 and are available at the Adelaide location.

elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com



Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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