Step Into a More Relaxed Pace
At Historic Fishing Village
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
On a rare bright and sunny day recently, I took a drive out to the historic fishing village of Steveston, which is located at the mouth of the Fraser River.
Founded in 1880 by William Herbert Steves, Steveston is now over 120 years old. It is home to one of the largest fishing fleets on the west coast, and in summer there is fresh fish sold at the Fisherman's Wharf.
The village, with its ambient atmosphere comes to life each summer with plenty for visitors to see and do. There are heritage sites and parks, along with fresh seafood and great local restaurants, plus unique and colourful gift shops and markets.
Steveston has a very laid back atmosphere and the warmer weather draws visitors just to stroll the wooden boardwalk and enjoy the sights and sounds. There are several little cafes where you can stop for your favourite coffee or enjoy some of the village's famous fresh fish and chips.
The British Home Store
The British Home Store is located on Moncton Street and is almost the first shop you notice as you enter Steveston Village.
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MARY CARTER of the British Home Store.
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As the name would suggest, the British Home Store carries all kinds of specialty items from the UK, including: marmalades, biscuits, specialty bacons, meat pies, cheese, chocolates, teas, haggis and jars and jars of specialty candy from England.
English-born owner Mary Carter has been in business in the area for the past 24 years and she knows all her regular customers. Each summer her list of regulars just keeps growing as tourists stop by to enjoy all her specialty items from the U.K.
Later in the year Mary will be relocating the British Home Store to new premises within the Steveston area, since her store along with others on the same block are scheduled for demolition to make way for condominiums.
The British Home Store is located at 3986 Moncton Street in Steveston. For more information, call (604) 274-2261.
Irish Fancy Store
The Irish Fancy Store is located on Bayview Street, right near the boardwalk. Irish-born owner Thelma Foellmer has been in business at that location for the past 15 years.
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THELMA FOELLMER, the owner of Irish Fancy, with Carol Oliver.
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She also has her regular customers and is very busy during the tourist season with all her specialty items from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The Irish Fancy Store has a great selection of Celtic jewellery and Claddagh rings, along with Aran fisherman knit sweaters, rugby shirts, souvenirs, tweed hats and caps, shawls and beautiful capes from Ireland, along with lovely mohair throws.
Irish Fancy is an ideal spot to find those specialty wedding gifts, and during the summer months there are also some lovely cotton sweaters in all kinds of stripes, sweater sets and snugs.
Irish Fancy Store is located at 110 - 3866 Bayview Street, Steveston. For more information, call (604) 272-1101.
The Beatmerchant
Frankie Neilson and Trevor Cheffey are the owners of The Beatmerchant. These friendly chaps are both London-born, with Trevor from London West and Frankie from East London.
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LONDON-BORN Frankie Neilson and Trevor Cheffey at the Beatmerchant, a specialty music store which stocks a good selection of folk, Celtic, world, jazz, blues and roots music. They also carry guitars and t-shirts. They also do mail order and e-orders.
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The Beatmerchant is a music store with a great selection of CDs, DVDs and memorabilia. They stock an especially good selection of folk, Celtic, world, jazz, blues and roots music. They also carry guitars and t-shirts.
Neilson and Cheffey, decided to open their own music store after they became frustrated trying to find those unique and hard to find CDs and DVDs. The Beatmerchant has been open for the past 18 months, and they have been very pleased with both the local and tourist support. They're now looking forward to another busy tourist season in Steveston.
When I asked if they were also musicians, Frankie laughingly said, "ah yes, we are both players! Clever Trevor plays the spoons and I play the washboard in a skiffle band called The Frank Justice Affair. We mainly play for drinks and both of us now suffer from a drink problem!"
If you have been looking forever for that specialty CD or DVD and can't find it anywhere, then try The Beatmerchant, they opened the store for that very reason. They also do mail order and e-mail orders.
The Beatmerchant is located at: 12240 Second Avenue in Steveston. For more information, call (604) 204-0044, e-mail: frankie@beatmerchant.com, or visit their website at: www.beatmerchant.com.
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