nas Robert Galster News Reporter robert@nsnews.com THERE is often more to doing business than simple dollars and cents and the oft-quot- ed bottom line. Nowhere is this more evi- dent than the streets of Lower Lonsdale, where the more things change, the more they stay the same. As a major North Vancouver artery, Lonsdale is receiving a facelift as extensive as few other thor- oughfares in the prepare him for being a small- business owner. Whilst there, he met his futtire wife Virginia who liked accounting a whole lov more than Mertin, A prac- ticing CGA, Mertin’s “better half” also does the books at the shop where the vear end totals have been on a steady upswing. “My business has increased vear after year for every vear Pve been here.” said Mertin. A few doors up the hill, Steve Hoiles, owner of the Second Wave 9 Surf and Snowboard shop, is giddy with the suc- cess of his see- ond-year oper- Lowe ation. Mainiand. “Business — is The sounds grear, way of construction eax 400 bevond — our can be heard on F AVE expectations,” ock r “a almost every LONSDAL +H said — Hoiles, block, but far 33. from interfering While opening with the day-to- a business day life af the neighborhood, thev are little more than a temporary dis- traction. With estimates call- ing for same 3,000 new resi- dents co start calling the area home when the dust settles, it is no wonder local retailers come across as optimistic. The 100 block of Lonsdale Avenue is in the heart of the bustling area and although the block itself fooks to be safe from impending change, it is sure to draw some bene- fits. Bonanza Mears — and Delicatessen owner Alfred Mertin is a second generation butcher who has been in his present location since the mid-°80s, Mertin is more than just a burcher and readily offered up several other titles: meat-cutter, meat smoker, sausage maker... he appeared ready to continue indefinitely, “[’ve been called worse,” said the jack-of-all-crades with a laugh. Though he started out studying accounting, Mertin knew where his. future lay all along. “T only did it for the busi- ness background, [ve hated accounting from day one,” said Mertin. As it turned out, the schooling did more than just NORTH Vancouver’s Stuart Honeyman has been honored as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (FCA). The FCA designation is gives many a potential owner an organiza- tional rush that leaves crucial decisions to the last minute, Hoiles took his time and researched his possibilities. “Ir was the first chance 1 got to use my degree,” said Hoiles, a human geography graduate from — Ontario’s Wilfrid Laurier University. Using demographic infor- mation and statistics available to anyone who cares to look, Hoiles identified Lower Lonsdale as the place to be. His neighbor to the north, Katalin Zambo of Mother's Herbs and Vitamins probably didn’t research her locale choice as scientifically as Hoiles though she has come to the same basic conclusion. Zambo has occupied her spot on Lonsdale for five years and sports a warm, coun- selling-like approach toward her customers. “If you don’t have a per- sonality, you’re toast,” said Zambo who still finds time to take in new information from a variety of sources including her clients, “1 was a_ fitness instructor and I rhoughr 1 knew everything about vita- mins, out Pm still learning — it never ends,” said Zambo, Highwater Tackle is only a few doors away, but upon HONEYMAN awarded to chartered accoun- tants for conspicuous service to the profession and the community. Honeyman is a partner with KPMG in Vancouver. He is chair of the professional conduct enquiry committee and has been actively involved in community organizations. north shore news . BUSINESS @ Lower Lonsdale business ho NEWS phctos Terry Peters SECOND Wave Surf and Snowboard shop owner Steve Hoiles is onfy in his second year of operation on Lonsdais, but his location decision was not made tightly. entering the store, one steps into a different world. Dave Steele has been in the area for 13 vears, a sure sign he is satisfied. “You're close to the Quay, you can see the water,” said Steele. “We're a specialty store so it doesn’t really mat- ter where we are, bur I’m just happy to be here.” Another thing that doesn't hurt is a recent resurgence in tly fishing. “It’s huge,” said Steele. “It’s the biggest aspect of fishing.” He attributes the sport’s sudden popularity to a shift in an urban society's desire for activities with a green theme. The popularity of A Rirer Runs Through It, a Robert SWITLO Chief among these is his vol- unteer work for the United Way of the Lower Mainland spanning 20 years. oes Umeeda Switlo’s internet auction of rock and roll mem- orabilia left behind by her late husband Gary Switlo is in full swing. Swag up for grabs 4 Redford directed 1992 film abour a young man who finds peace through — fly-fishing, provided another helpful boost. “It (the film) sparked it and vou get a donino effect because a guy does it and then 10 of his buddies want to do it,” said Steele. In response to the trend, Steele is currently putting together Highwater Tackle’s spring fly fishing course schedule. + Other merchants rounding out the block are (north to south): Cash Converters, Copping Agencies Lrd., Tesla Pawnbrokers, Encore Computers, Quality Book Exchange, Marine Bakery and Moadyville’s Restaurant. NCBLE includes “T-shirts, posters, contracts and records of artists such as the Doors, Beatles and Jimi Hendriv. Bids on the items are being accepted ound! = midnight March 18. A listing of the items and visual samples can be seen by accessing www.nextlevel.combespace operation on Lonsdale. Wednesday, March 4, 1998 — North Shore News — 15 DAVE Steele of Highwater Tackle is in his 13th year of MOTHER’S Herbs and Vitamins owner Katalin Zambo has been in business in Lower Lonsdale for five years. BONANZA Meats and Delicatessen owner Alfred Mertin has been operating in the area since the mid-'80s. “The bids are hilarious,” said Switlo. *From all over the place: London, New York, Whitehorse, everywhere.” eee InSight Development Corporation oof — North Vancouver has been named the BC Hydro Power Smart builder of the vear in the multi-family complex of over 50 homes category. [InSight won the award for its Ambleside at) Longwood development in Nanaimo. The Power Smart Excellence awards recognize building owners and industry protessionals who have gone the extra mile to lead the way in energy-efficient design, construction and cusronier service. ees North Shore News reporter Ian Noble has joined the Business in Vancouver newspaper. Noble has been with the News tor three-and-a-half years covering a variety of bears including health, water- front and labor issues. He was instrumental in’ covering the deteriorating —_eelationship between the region’s doctors and its health board as well as the brewing controversy sur- rounding the NDP's decision to plunge into the fast ferry construction business. In his new position, Noble will be covering finanee and international business for the once per week publication. — Robert Galster North Shore business groups and individuals wishing to Submit items to Business Briefs can fax them to the attention of Robert Galster at 985-2104, or via e-mail ta robert@nsnews.com