Celebrations FaSHIOM cnc S@MIOFS SHOPS. conan HORTEH SHORE NEWS COMMUNITY LIFE COMMERCIAL AVENUES — 1500-BLOCK BELLEVLE AVE.. WEST VANCOUVER san-Christian 5 Sorensen News Reporter jsorensen@nsnews.comt IT’S a dog-eat-dog world on the 1506 block of Bellevue in West Vancouver. No, we’re not talking about the competi- tion; it’s what's featured at Biskitz Bakery, a unique specialty store and bakery that caters to the discriminating canine. Laura Jackson and sister-in-law Jennifer Lavender opened Biskitz in May. They goi the ide2 when they were visiting Seattle and “came across one of the Three Dog Bakery stores. . Bringing a Three Dog franchise’ ro the North Shore would have been a costly ven-° ture, so Jackson set out to create aer own ren- dition. “We thought ‘we can doi it vurselves’, and that way we get to have more control, too.” So, they began researching recipes on several close canine friends, including Jackson’s-two pooches —— Bronte, an Australian shepherd and Diggie, a border collie. ‘In fact, Diggie inspired the name for the store’s popular ‘“cinnamon drool buns”. . . “He'd sit in front of the oven and drool, waiting for them to come out,” said Jackson. : Both Bronte and Diggie are regular fixtures in the store, as are a number of rotating daily specials, such as peanut butter swirls, cranberry bears and garlick and cheez animal! crackers. “>No matter how good the treats smell —- and they're ; cnough to make any Ausnan mouth water — their lack of salt " and sugar makes them perfect for our four-legged friends. Biskitz enjoys a healthy wholesale life, as well. ‘Jackson and Lavender currently franchise to eight Lower Mainland stores and are thinking about expansion plans. . +The store also specializes in crafting treats for dogs with ~ food allergies. One dog, Lucy, has reactions to everything but apples, car- rots, tomatoes, oats and chicken. So, the Biskitz bunch creat- ed “Lucy Oat Sneps” just for her. . And tat lovers, don’t get your fur up — the store also has a “kitty corner” that offers treats for felines. : They also feature five flavours of their popular E biscuits — chicken, peanut butter, beef, vegetable and apple cinnamon. 2 A few doors down, Diana ’Skelhorne and the staff of So Bli Clothing Company are getting set for the Christmas season “rush. “The store, settled on Bellevue for. three years now, offers za wide variery of clothes for men, women and children — everything from Tommy Hilfiger io Tommy Bahama, Don’t try to peg So Bli, Skelhorne said. Their stock is’ heavy on choice aud jong on style and always ina state of flux. AMBLESIDE Chinese Aestaurant’s Ken Sung supplies West Vancouver diners with a number of authentic Cantonese and szechuan dishes. “We've gor a little bit of everything for -everyone in the family,” said Skelhorne. “We've also got some really funky, off-the-wall items that are hard to find elsewhere.” “It really is a one-stop shop.” The So Bli sales staff takes careful note of each customer’s taste in clothes and can serve as a style guide for repeat patrons, of which there are many. The store’s owners, Jan and: Brian Sharp, also own -Bj’s on 24th and Marine and another clothing store across the bridge. Further down Bellevue is Ken Sung and the Ambleside Chinese Restaurant. The location features a number of authentic Cantonese and. szechuan dishes for all tastes aad free local delivery. . While he has a fair number. of walk-in customers looking to satisfy their craving for egg foo yong or ginger beef, the bulk of his business comes over the telephone. “We're very busy on the weekends and there's always lots of people who order takeout.” The staff of ten part- and full-time employees is currently preparing for the upcoming holidays ~- the most heetic time of the year at the restaurant.. “A couple of weeks before Christmas and a week after is our busiest time of the year,” said Sung. “We have lots of pri- vate functions and office and family parties.” Hf you're looking to get framed, head further on down Bellevue to Ron Gsterbauer and Bauer’s Framing and Art. - Osterbauer just opened his store a week ago, after spend- ing a few years running a similar store in Kitimat. - *It’s too cold and snowy up there. It’s miserable,” said the West Vancouver native. - LAURA Jackson, seen here. with pal Buc:dy, Beilevue, where she prepares such doggie friendly treats as cranberry: bears, cinnamon drool buns and five popular flavours of dog biscuits. | i NEWS shotos Mike Wakefletd . owns Biskitz Bakery on He ‘previously also had‘a framing | store on Lonsdale i in~ North Van and another in downtown Vancouver. «: Osterbauer sells framed pictures but the bulk of his busi- ness comes from custom framing projects — anything from daggers and guns to Pavel Bure’s hockey jersey, which he | framed for a former high-ranking Canucks executive.” 0 He said the 2.-t part about the new store is its prime loca- tion, “There’s great traffic and you can’t ask for 3 , better setting ne to work in than overlooking John Lawson Park.” Perched atop Biskitz and owning perhaps the best | vantage. point of Burrard Inlet is Saltaire, the restaurant that inherited the old Ambleside Bistro haunt this May. vate One of the location’s best features — and they are rriany is its rooftop patio, where patrons can sit and enjoy the Saltaire fare while gazing out onto Stanley Park. See Saltaire page 36 Maurm dour Home for ~ 25 na the Holiday Season New stack arriving daily ready for immediate delivery If you're looking for selection, service, and quality at honest affordable prices, visit us at Suite Dreams Furniture. Our showroom features over 15,000 square feet of bedroom and dining room furniture, entertainment units, fabric and leather. upholstery, art, accessories and much moie. We also custom build in pine, oak, maple, birch and cherry to suit everyone's décor. OPEN EVERY DAY! Gift Certificates Available Suite Drearns. Furniture 1989 Boundary Rd. just minutes over the .. Second Narrows Bridge 320-2577. www.suitedreams.net |