Bob Mackin News Reporter TEHERE is more to Savary Island Pie Company than pies. The nine-year-old eatery Produces a cornucopia of delectables from its open kicchen on the north side of Marine Drive’s 1500-block in West Vancouver. “We have meals, omelettes, sandwiches and entertainment at night,” says manager Fariba Yazdan. “We still focus on our baked goods.” Adds Parveen Engineer: “It’s unique from anything in West Vancouver, it defi- nitely has its own style.” Savary Island relies on word of mouth instead of advertising..Yazdan says it’s working. She estimates 70% of customers are ‘regulars. “Among those are some from Seattle who order a fresh supply of soda bread every time they’re in the area. : Yazdan says 35 ful!- and part-time staff work at Sa. ary Island, which is open for business 365. days a year. “The average age of our staff is young, in their 20s,” Yazdan says. “The customers enjoy it, they say they can feel the cnergy here. People are running around, talking, “laughing, everyone’s happy.” _- > Happy. staff translates to happy customers, she says. R&R galleria oy Before Galleria Ambleside opened last month, you had to go toa mall to find such a selection of books -and'com-- pact ‘discs under, the same roof in West Vancouver. “The store nét only has a+ ‘range “of independent and ; * mainstream €Ds and books, ‘but. it brings:in local authors -and musicians to display their art.’ And you can enjoy a cof- fee while you’re:at it. : Galleria Ambleside is the . “product. of thé’ merger of :.Gold Bond Books and Music Gallery, two stores originally at’ Vancouver’s .City Square small. ~ mo . ni. “They got together: and ecided to put it all cogether ind” then: everything « else “came after that with: the food . sand: the coffee’ and in-store : “performances,” '. says . clerk _ Shannon Wand. oe The'store wants to host ive: music Thursdays ..to acurdays, something rare in -wouldn’t joing ‘theatre or comedy or - ‘things like that. We're really ‘a thank-you cheque: “from 2 reader because ‘seven years ago I sent ‘her toalawyer who. “Pm certain charges... extra for the air I inhale in his office.” The letter accompanying. :.° the cheque should inspire any- “body who feels daunted by | - “All our Canada.” ies and more north shore news @ BUSINESS al NEWS phote Paul McGrath LAURA Goyer (left), Fariba Yazdan and Parveen Engineer bake and serve pies and much more at Savary island Pie Company. open to just about any- thing.” She says it’s all part of the store’s relaxed philosophy. Build a vibe and the people will come enjoy it. “We want you to come in, be relaxed, listen to some music,” she says. “You don’t have.to buy anything. We’re “Not. going to pressure-sell you.” Simple as cotton : ” Simplify life is the catch- phrase at Robin Kay. The women’s clothing store specializes in cotton knitwear. What could be - more simple, says proprietor - Heather Prittie. She owns the West Vancouver and- Kitsilano locations: of the chain. of 11 across Canada. “Robin: is a. Canadian - designer: and we’re very proud ‘of. that,” Prittie says. goods are made in Kay, she. says, was the originator of cotton knitwear in Canada some 20 years ago “before cotton was con- ceived as something you could knit with.” serious money matters for the sim- thar the Prittie says it’s che plicity of the clothes attract customers to products. “Always very plain and simple and wearable, we're fashionable and not too trendy.” The West Vancouver loca- tion opened in February 1997, almost two years after the Kitsilano one. Kay often makes personal appearances to network with devoted cus- tomers. “Whenever Robin comes to town, it’s a lot of fun,” Prittic says. “We have about 2,000 people on our mailing liste. A couple of hundred show up when she come to town. She brings a lot of fun and energy with her.” Brew it yourself Bill and Anne Alderton know a thing or two about making beer and wine. The couple owns Ambleside Brewing Company, tucked in the lane behind Savary Island Pie Co. Before coming to Canada, they owned. and operated a traditional English pub in Cornwall. An aerial photo of the pub, the Green Inn, hangs in their store. “We create all our own recipes,” says Bill Alderton. “Any beer that you like we could get a recipe that’s close to it.” Then it’s up to the hobby - brewer (a.k.a. customer) to combine the ingredients, water and patience to create a batch of the good stuff. Customers tend to prefer making dark, English-style ales, Bill says. your day,” started the letter from G. L. “Enclosed is the note I received from you in February, 1992, after my hus- band died. “I was desperately fragile, frightened and ignorant re: business. Your advice set me on the right track, and toa brilliant tax lawyer who incor- porated my real estate and ~ enabled me to get my $160,000 capital gain tax-free just hours pnor to the new Despite the name of the establishment, about 50% of customers make wines, ciders and coolers on __ site. Something must be going ‘right, because the wall next to the cash register is filling up with award certificates from u-brew competitions across Canada. Anne Alderton acknowl- edges it’s not the easiest place to find. But those who do discover it are pleasantly surprised, “It’s what they call a des- tination,” Anne says. “We “are now a destination, people have to make the effort to come here and find us. People still come by and say how long have you been here?” block: Mart, Also the Shoppers Drug Laurentian Bank, North Shore Credit Union, Canadian Cigar Co., Bella Ceramica, Look Optical and Esso. COMMERCIAL Apenues is a bi-monthly feature of the North Shove News’ business section. - Waile it is by no means a comprehensive guide to any of the areas it focuses on, it see to capture a snapshot of the day-to-day iife of businesses selected at random that call she street beme. ; Tf you bave w business that is part of a unique or other- wise wortinphile block, or know of any, please share it with us. Write to Commercial Avenues, c/o Bob Mackin, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale —_ Ave., North Vancouver V7M 2H4. E-mail . on thanks to you.” . G. L. said the lawyer also “made things fall into place, in every way, in regards to my estate. His price is steep but his advice is excellent, always. “For the enclosed $20, have a pizza on me!” . I thanked G., L. for taking the time to write. “just receiv- ing your letter made my day,” I said. “I really did appreciate the cheque, but | am return- . ing it with thanks and hope Wednesday, August 4, 1999 — North Shore News — #5 a NEWS photo Prut McGrath GALLERIA Ambieside’s Shannon Wand welcomes customers for a relaxing read, listen and/or coffee at one of the area’s newest stores. HEATHER Prittie runs the Kitsilano and Ambleside locations of Robin Kay, which specializes In women’s cotton clothing.’ ; es ‘, AMBLESIDE Brewin Anne Afderton and brew your own beer. “If you deal with biased advisers, _ talk to several, pool the advice and see what... ‘makes the most. ” Com npary’s. Bill Alderton (left), . urtis demonstrate howto. me’ for that pizza.” These days I am rarely able *. to reply to questions individu-'- ally and normally deal with... those of widest interest here in... my column. But G. L.”s situation is so *..’ common — whether you receive an inheritance or sct- tlement of some kind, for... , example, or:ihether you are . Suddendy singic and your part--. ner.used to'deal with the << jie world of personal finance, first time, sense to you z SE asain «late compelled a) make +4 +P budeet lawsls was Gbalousy rye will tnvite: EN EASES ASE T CaS SEZ R Er AA