At first they came for work and the lifestyle followed. Now they come for the lifestyle and work follows.
Powell River Company founders decided to build a newsprint mill in the early part of the last century.
Over the next decades, the operation became the largest pulp and paper operation in the world. April 2012 marked 100 years of papermaking in the community. Uncertainty followed the company, now known as Catalyst Paper Corporation, through most of last year when it sought protection from its creditors. After several rounds of negotiations, the company formulated a new plan that allows it to continue operations.
Changing circumstances in demand for newsprint resulted in a decrease in the number of employees on the current payroll.
From a high of approximately 2,600, currently there are 420 workers. In 2012, there were about 30 people hired, both management and hourly.
“Some people who left 18 months to two years ago are returning and are happy to be back,” said mill manager Brian Johnston. “They see a future with the mill and Powell River, as a lot of successes have been taking place recently.”
One person who came for work decades ago was Leo Brosseau. He had just left the army and decided to get on a train in Quebec and stay on until it stopped. From Vancouver he made his way to Powell River to build a new life. As a single man working in the paper mill, he often visited the lunch counter in Powell Stores, now a large vacant building on Ash Avenue. There he met Edie Olson. They fell in love, married and had four children.
The youngest, JP, left after graduation, then returned to Powell River before heading to Alberta. In 2012 he and his partner Kelly Belanger were considering moving to Mexico to open a bed and breakfast. During a visit, they decided to check out The Old Courthouse Inn, which was for sale.
“Kelly fell in love with the place and we decided to put in an offer,” said JP. Within a short time, the deal was done, and the couple returned to Alberta to sell their house. “It sold quickly,” added JP, “and everything fell into place so we knew it was meant to be.”
Once they moved into the inn, constructed in 1939 as the provincial courthouse and offices, they re-opened its eatery naming it Edie Rae’s Café in honour of JP’s mother. “I returned to an earlier career when I worked in restaurants,” said Belanger, who had been working as a steam engineer.
The all-day breakfast menu includes items named for members of their families.
JP and Belanger are part of a group of people who are leading the current Townsite revitalization.
One of the first buildings constructed in Townsite, the Powell River Hotel, opened in 1911, is now owned by a group of shareholders that include Joan Campbell and Marion Blank. It was the scene of many good times as mill workers stopped in for a meal or a brew on their way to and from work, or even on their lunch breaks. Families came to dine on special occasions. The building also housed a jewellery store among other small business enterprises over the years.
Its name changed to Rodmay and the hotel was closed for a time then sold in 2005. “We live in Townsite and wanted to invest in a business right in our backyard,” said Campbell. “This was a beautiful building and it looked pretty sad when we bought it. Architecturally with the grand staircase, Inglenook fireplace and craft box ceilings, it’s quite significant and, as part of our heritage, deserved protection.”
When Margaret Thistle looked through the windows at the empty café premises at Rodmay Hotel, she felt it was just where she wanted to relocate Magpie’s Diner.
Four years ago, the Italian-born woman moved to Powell River. She and husband Art, both looking for a career change, decided to open a restaurant because Margaret loves to cook.
Magpie’s has become a favourite because of the number of menu items that are made from scratch from local products. Its sandwich board appears on the corner of Marine and Ash avenues where Patricia Theatre is located.
The theatre company turns 100 this year. It was named for Princess Patricia, daughter of Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, one of Queen Victoria’s sons. He served as Canada’s governor general beginning in 1911.
Ann Nelson and her son Brian have operated the company for 11 years and are planning a big party later in the year.
After receiving word in 2012 that movies would only be available in digital format, meaning the theatre with its film projector would not be able to continue, Friends of the Patricia Theatre Society mounted a fundraising campaign. The community donated $90,000 in four months to purchase new equipment. “I’m still amazed, and so grateful, that the community was able to raise that much money in such a short time,” said Nelson.
Other events such as concerts and weddings have been held in the historic building, built in 1928, which was renovated by artists to restore murals on the interior walls.
Nelson, who lives in the theatre, loves the history of the area and has been part of Townsite Heritage Society for many years.
The same year the current theatre building opened, City Motors began operating. According to Powell River Historical Museum and Archives, Ken Macken, who married Dr. Andrew Henderson’s daughter Marjorie, opened the garage in 1928. Henderson was Powell River’s first doctor.
Just a day after current owner Bert McLean arrived in Powell River in 1956, his brother Charlie who worked at the garage called him and said if he wanted a job, he’d “better come down here right away.”
“They provided all the tires for the mill vehicles,” said Marg, Bert’s wife and business partner. “The guys would work till 2 or 3 am because the vehicles had to be back at the mill in the morning.”
Previous owners were Pete and Ebe Raimondo who purchased the garage in 1967. After her husband’s death, Ebe encouraged Bert and Marg to take over the business.
A practical nurse at the time, Marg said she stood behind her man and supported his decision to buy the business. “We recently celebrated our 50th anniversary so it’s worked out all right.”
Granada Restaurant will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2013. Current owner Gus Lenis worked in the government liquor store before he and his wife Joyce bought the 86-seat establishment that opened in 1973. They are proud to own the longest continuously operating restaurant in Powell River. They have been serving customers meals, including Greek specialties, for 28 years and have the most extensive menu in the area.
“Over the years, the Granada has always had a very good, steady clientele,” said Gus, “in spite of the changes in the number of people employed at the mill.”
Island View Lodge has been offering accommodations in Townsite for more than 40 years but the current owners do not have the exact date it opened.
“All we know is that it was here before the Granada,” said Jerzy Herter who, along with his wife Theresa, purchased the 30-room lodge in 1995 when they moved here from Edmonton. Jerzy, who had been self-employed in the restaurant and pub industry, said they chose Powell River because it is “a beautiful place.”
The couple changed the name from Hyatt Motor Lodge because “people confused it with the Hyatt Regency chain. We’d get a call on our 1.800 line asking for reservations for Hawaii.”
Coast Realty Group managing broker Dawn Adaszynski was born and raised in Powell River. She has watched change occur with house prices in Townsite.
For many years, prices were low because the homes lacked adequate foundations and there was an odour from the kraft mill.
“We noted a change in the late 90s when Craftsman-style homes came into vogue in the Vancouver area,” Adaszynski explained. Simultaneously, the kraft mill shut down.
“Out-of-town buyers were intrigued by the nine-foot ceilings, wide trim and fabulous ocean views and they first recognized the value of Townsite homes.”
That put a rush on offers and increases in selling prices, which were also helped by the heritage component of the community.
A new subdivision above the school features homes in the Craftsman style but with larger square footage than most Townsite homes, with the exception of those on Managers’ Row.
Dave Formosa is building a new home in the subdivision. He and his father Vic purchased the old Powell Lake Marina site in 1983 and three years later opened a new restaurant and pub that is popular with diners who enjoy being lakeside. The Shinglemill Pub and Bistro is named for the area where, in the early part of the last century, thousands of shingles were manufactured to build Townsite homes. Logs were cut into bolts further up Powell Lake, then halved and quartered before being towed down for milling. About 50 homes around the shinglemill were rented by Japanese families while single men, mostly Chinese sawyers, slept in bunkhouses.
Beer served at the Shinglemill and other establishments in Powell River area is brewed in Townsite by a young company that is making news in the BC craft beer industry.
Michelle Zutz spent years on the road with Ritchie Brothers Auction. As a mother with three children, she wanted to raise them in a safe community so the family moved here three years ago.
She told a recent Rotary Club of Powell River meeting that she and Karen Skadsheim, both of whom love beer and love Powell River, were brainstorming about what they could do for work. Skadsheim was already a fan of craft beer and was thirsty for something close. They formulated an idea that has turned into a reality with craft beer a desirable commodity both at home and away. It provides employment for the two women and others.
Townsite Brewing began making its beers with the assistance of Belgian brewmaster Cedric Dauchot. The microbrewery won acclaim and gold medals for two brews at the 2012 BC Beer Awards. Another mainstay of the business is Dauchot’s wife, Chloe Smith, brewery manager.
“The business took off more quickly than we imagined,” Zutz, director of sales, told Rotarians who received samples of locally-produced beer. “And there is more to come. We are just getting started.”
Amy Sharp loves feeding people and has done so previously with a restaurant and booths at community events.
Her latest venture, embarked upon with partners Keith Allen and Tony Papa, is The HUB 101 restaurant. Located in a totally renovated building that previously housed Ljubo’s Bakery, the new establishment combines food and entertainment with a large screen for movies, sports and other digital presentations. It has offerings from early morning to late evening.
With a career path that included banking and finance then managing nightclubs, Allen moved to Powell River two years ago to be closer to his immediate family, which had relocated to the community.
“I met Amy who was doing events in other locations” said Allen, “and we decided to find something for ourselves.”
There are more good ideas percolating for Townsite.
Developer Marti Sliwinski and his wife were ready to move to Kelowna from Edmonton when they were convinced by friends to consider Powell River. Property prices were a draw and the couple bought some before even arriving in the city.
“We searched Powell River on the Internet and liked that it is an oceanfront community,” said Sliwinski.
They also purchased lots in Townsite bounded by Marine and Arbutus avenues and Walnut Street. Currently, Sliwinski is operating a boat business on the properties. He envisions a cluster of buildings that will be a combination of both retail and reasonably priced accommodation.
He is working on the drawings and plans to submit them this year for a development permit.
“It’s a fantastic idea that is going to complement Townsite immensely with everything that is going on,” Sliwinski said.
Entrepreneur Steve Brooks has been trying to attract businesses to Townsite for a while and has been involved with Townsite Brewing’s startup. He said it’s the catalyst for the current excitement in the area.
He already owns several properties there and is in the midst of taking on the building that originally was Powell Stores. The mill department store stocked everything families needed within its walls.
Brooks’ vision is to have a “centre for excellence where people can come to see local artists and artisans” at work. He also wants to include a bakery, chocolate and candy store and a produce market.
Plus, he would like to see an interactive art school, office space and meeting rooms for conferences.
“I’m willing to provide startup loans or even invest in businesses that want to set-up in the building,” said Brooks, “provided they have a good business plan and the right people.”
With the combination of newcomers, long-time residents and those returning after years away, Townsite is once again becoming a centre of economic and social activity.
