Dear Editor:
My mom’s first store, Antique Emporium, opened in the heart of Gastown in the late 1960s and was part of Gastown Emporium, the daring and innovative brainchild of my grandmother, Anne Davison. Her last Vancouver store was Empress Antiques, located on the corner of Richards and Hastings. With increasing crime and fear for her safety, my sister and I persuaded my mom to move to Bowen Island. My mom happily settled into island living in the late-1990s helping with our family businesses, the Black Pearl Cafe, Bowen Island Fitness Centre and Gavin’s Place, while running her first Bowen Island Antique shop in the little green cottage on our Grafton Road property.
She has now been at her current location under the Bowen Pub for well over a decade. Once we learned that the building was slated for demolition, my sister and I always thought we would be dragging our mom out as the blasting sirens were giving their final warnings or the wrecking ball was poised to strike. However, as the building continues to deteriorate with multiple floodings and no longer any toilet facilities or water supply to her store, she has wisely decided to listen to her doctor and with mixed emotions, is closing the door to Bowen Island’s Antique Emporium at the end of November.
To all Dianne’s loyal customers who have been stopping in to express their appreciation and to purchase that one last piece of nostalgia, we thank you for helping to lift our mom’s spirits.
Please also help support VONIGO by stopping in to make your Christmas pottery orders early and finding Sue at the various craft sales throughout December.
Lorinda and Jennifer
