SBIA Office
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Our office location & mailing address
1222 E. Hastings
Vancouver, BC
V6A 1S6
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New Acting Executive Director
 The
Strathcona BIA is pleased to announce that Joji Kumagai has been appointed to the position
of Acting Executive Director, while Executive
Director Cathy Kwan is away on maternity leave through June 2011. Joji was
born in New Westminster
and raised in Port Moody. He graduated from Simon Fraser
University majoring in
ecology with a minor in environmental toxicology and is currently working on
the latter stages of an accounting designation. He has been involved with a
number of non-profits including the Port Moody Ecological Society, Wildlife
Rescue Association and the Japanese Community Volunteers Association (JCVA)
among others. His previous position was as Executive Director with the JCVA.
Joji enjoys playing hockey and soccer, running and spending time with his
family. He is thrilled at this opportunity to serve the Strathcona community
and looks forward to meeting and working with all members.
The
Strathcona BIA's Board of Directors would like to congratulate Cathy Kwan and
her family on the birth of their third child, Scosha Rielle, a healthy baby girl, born on Monday, June 28th.
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The Strathcona BIA presents
Annual Members LuncheonOn Wednesday August 18th we are hosting our Annual August Luncheon on the top floor of the Japanese Language School. Join us for lunch and networking with gorgeous port & mountain views. This year we have skipped the keynote speaker to allow for more networking and conversation.
When: August 18th from 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: 475 Alexander Street
Please RSVP by Tuesday August 10th at 4:00pmto save yourself a spot.
Online Reservation: http://strathconabia.com/eventRegistration.php
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Green Zone
Kona Bikes
For 21
years Kona Bikes has operated their sole Canadian office right here in
Strathcona. Founded in 1988 by Jacob Heilbron, Dan Gerhard and Joe
Murray, Kona Bikes is best known for designing and manufacturing
high-performance mountain, touring and racing bicycles. In a cavernous Railway
warehouse, the company runs its marketing, design and Canadian sales department with around 30 staff.
Although not as large as its competitors, Kona does business in over 52
countries and is widely respected by downhill competitors and hobbyists alike."Our marketing is so successful that sometimes our clients don't understand
that we can't turn around product like larger firms do," notes Michelle Gault, Product Manager.
Along with bikes and apparel, Kona is well known for its advocacy. Smiley Nesbitt, Sports Marketing Director
is involved in improving local bike route safety and increasing ridership. Kona
has also developed a wildly successful program called AfricaBike which
provides single-speed cruisers for AIDS workers in rural Africa,
where a bike can be the difference between treating two patients a day, or
20.
 L to R: Smiley Nesbitt, Sports Marketing Director and Michelle Gault, Product
Manager of Kona Bikes
To bring
cycling to a variety of skill levels and locations, Kona has developed
partnerships to establish bike parks on mountains where previously only winter activities existed. The first park was created about 13 years ago at Whistler
Blackcomb. "It's a great way for a ski hills to take advantage of the increase
in tourist traffic in the summers," notes Nesbitt. Kona is the official
mountain bike supplier to more bike parks than any other cycling company in the
world.
The Vancouver office incorporates material reuse
into their design process and currently donates excess metal to a North Vancouver sculptor.
About half of the Vancouver office bikes to work
but aims to grow that number. Nesbitt comments that "the commute might be a
smelly one," noting the seafood and chicken processors but adds that's also
what makes Strathcona the neighbourhood to work in. "The variety of people who
choose to work here - it's a great combination."
Product Manager Gault has worked on Railway
Street for the past eight years has seen
the area change immensely. "For the most part it's a lot safer. The businesses
that have chosen to open here over the past few years wouldn't be here if they
had seen it 8 years ago." She noted all businesses need to be on the same page with
supporting a safe and clean business community. "Specific businesses don't
believe in what's going on here and that's a shame." Both note the need for
more open air social spaces and improved bike racks in Strathcona and
throughout the city.
On your next trip out of town plan to check out a Kona Bike Park and see what all the fuss is about.
We look forward to seeing Kona Bikes celebrate another 20 successful years in
Strathcona.
www.konaworld.com
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HST Workshop Recap
Early
morning tax seminars are not at the top of many peoples lists, but on June 30th our
Transition to HST: Information for
Businesses session was a last minute opportunity to get questions answered
ahead of the July 1st transition to the new tax. Phil Kerr of the Canada Revenue Agency, has already completed over 50 HST workshops and seminars lead members through example of when to use the tax and answered industry
specific questions.
The HST changeover brings about hidden complications for
business owners which are important to recognize ahead of tax season so that
you don't end up owing HST that you have not collected. If you missed the
workshop, take a moment to check out our business resources page on HST.
Just want your questions answered directly? Call the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 (business enquiries line)
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Sustainability Coordinator
 The
Strathcona BIA is pleased to announce the addition of a Sustainability Coordinator to support the development of the
Strathcona Green Zone. Sophie Agbonkhese joined the SBIA to pursue her vision of helping businesses become more
sustainable. Originally from Victoria,
Sophie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Masters of Logistics
and Supply Chain Management with a focus on sustainable supply chains. Before
joining the SBIA, she worked as an independent small business consultant and as
a purchaser at BC Hydro. She encourages you to contact her at the SBIA office if you
are interested in learning more about the Strathcona Green Zone initiative and
how your business can get involved. sustainabilitysbia@telus.net
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Vancouver's Largest
Mural Comes to E. Hastings
Richard
Tetrault and a team of 5 artists and painters have started what will soon be
the largest mural the city has ever seen. The mural is going up on the west
side of the Orwell Hotel (456 E. Hastings)
and will span approximately 7500 square feet. Check out the team's progress
over the next few weeks. 
Check out more photos of the planning process
and the team at work on the SBIA Blog |
Great Beginnings Awning Program
Launched in
the fall of 2008 the Great Beginnings Awning Program will be extended
through March 2011.The Awning Improvements Project is a collaborative
effort between the City of Vancouver (COV) and businesses to improve the
streetscape and enhance the business district. The COV will contribute 40% of
the cost of re-skinning or purchasing a manual retractable awning up to a
maximum of $1500.
Contact the SBIA office at admin_strathconabia@telus.net for
more information. |
Open Doors
In collaboration
with the City of Vancouver, the Powell Street Festival Society and the Japanese
Canadian National Museum and supported by the Strathcona Business Improvement
Association, Open Doors is an
initiative to animate the 300 and 400 blocks of the Powell Street neighbourhood
and open its doors to the public during the 2010 and 2011 Powell Street
Festivals. Signage will detail the history of the buildings and neighbourhood to
promote and engage the public and to further add to the existing Japantown
walking tours. We look forward to seeing you at this year's Powell Street
Festival and be sure to check out the Open Doors project.
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Mural at Princess & Powell Completed
Next time you head down Powell Street check out the mural completed in June on the east side of the Downtown Community Health Centre at 569 Powell Street. The mural was competed by the team at Nomadic Alternatives.
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Industry Canada
Announces Loan Increase
Small businesses in Canada with a
gross revenue of $5 million or less are now eligible for a maximum loan of
$500,000 via Industry Canada.This program is to help small businesses access
loans for establishing, expanding, modernizing and improving small businesses. For
more information on the Canada Small
Business Financing Program call Industry
Canada at 1.866.959.1699, or visit their website atwww.ic.gc.c a/csbfp
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Rising Star
Woven Creative Agency
1275 Venables St.
Founded by three independent Vancouver
fashion designers, Woven Creative Agency
is a collaborative studio that houses 10 local designers in 2,200 square feet
of open concept workspace. We sat down with three of the designers Tiffany Ho,
Meghan Irish and Breanna Soo to find out why Strathcona
is the best place to power through an all nighter with crushed velour and
coffee.
About two years back Ho and Irish saw the bulk of studio
space in Gastown skyrocket in price and get repurposed into high end retail and
lofts. As studio space for independent designers dwindled it was time to look
elsewhere. After touring 1275 Venables they knew they had found the spot.
"Seeing that freight elevator and the three loading docks we knew we were
home," said Irish.
Overall the
shared space works out well. "We've found 10 women who can all work together in
a space. That's saying something," jokes Irish. Crazy timelines with production can test
everyone's nerves though. Irish
participates in an annual artist market that runs for 12 days. " The hard part is making sure you
have enough product to last the 2 weeks." Ho adds that for the month of November every table in the studio is covered in men's t-shirts, part of
Irish's Identity line that depict Canadian icons such as a beaver or curling stone. Tensions can run high with deadlines but the shared space offers plenty
of benefit. Sdio. Plus you always have a second opinion. "Since we all work witourcing from wholesalers is easier when there are multiple designers
interested in a product. The shared space also allows for a cutting table which is a must have for designers but a tough
fit for a solo stuh the same medium we can ask each other technical questions,"
says Soo a recent Kwantlewn graduate whose line, The Penniless Fashionista,
earned recognition in the Georgia Straights 2009 Best of Vancouver Awards.
The open
concept space divides individual work stations with wood pallets and fabric
curtains. "We don't buy anything new", says Ho. "Everything is secondhand or
found." The designers donate scrap material to an elementary school for
projects. "In this industry there will always be waste so we try to do our part
by being aware of what we use and source items and services locally," says
Irish. 1275 Venables is home to furniture manufacturers and other fabric based
businesses as well as Russell Foods & Quest Metal Works. "Seeing large
loads of product coming and going keeps us productive," notes Ho whose lingerie
line, Love Made Me, was recently picked up nationally in the states by
Anthropologie.
The
studio's Strathcona location is well situated between the designer's homes and industry
services, providing close access to fabric wholesalers, printers,
photographers, pattern makers, etc. Irish notes that the area sets itself apart
from other industrial spots in the lower mainland. "When I walk from home
[downtown] I know when I've hit Strathcona because the birds are going nuts.
The area has a good community feel while still accommodating a healthy
industrial sector."
Check out local boutiques for your own Strathcona made
garments.
www.wovenagency.com
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Mark Your Calendar
Powell Street FestivalSaturday, July 31st
& Sunday, August 1st, 2010 11:30 am to 7pmThis year, the
Festival will be returning to its newly renovated home in Oppenheimer
Park (400 Block of Powell Street) For more information visitwww.powellstreetfestival.comAnnual Members LuncheonWednesday, August
18th, 201012:00pm - 1:30pmJapanese Language
School, 475 Alexander StRegistration: http://strathconabia.com/eventRegistration.phpDeadline August 10th!
Annual General MeetingTuesday, September
14th, 20104:00pm - 6:00pmChapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy Ave.Annual General Report & Membership Registration
to be mailed out mid August
Sustainability Expo 3.0: Redefining Green
Tuesday, September, 28th 2010Vancouver
Japanese Language
School
Registration: http://strathconabia.com/expo3.php
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