The brewers at the Settlement Building are a close-knit team of creative individuals who are passionate about brewing.

And it shows in their work. The Settlement Building is home to Belgard Kitchen, Vancouver Urban Winery, and craft brewery Settlement Brewing, offering a whole lot of delicious beverages that are made in-house.

What some may not know is that they not only brew their own carefully crafted beverages but they also offer to brew for other businesses that don’t have the facilities themselves.

This small but mighty team has some very unique and admirable qualities – read about their story below.

Tell us a bit about your team and what makes you unique.

What is something about your business that you’re proud of?

What makes the Strathcona neighbourhood special to you?

Strathcona is full of artists, designers, and makers; there is so much creativity tucked in every little corner. It makes for such an inspiring, supportive and creative environment to work in. And, we have to give props to our fellow breweries –  every one of them is making great beer!

How does your work impact or engage with the community?

What are the top-recommended Settlement Brewing beers?

We can’t pick! They are all great!

‘Portside’ Pilsner is definitely a go-to for our team. Our ‘Good News’ Hazy Pale Ale is a best seller at Belgard, and our ‘Tranquilo’ Lime Lager absolutely flies at our sister restaurant, Havana Vancouver.

And, we can’t forget about our award-winning ‘Elder Moon’!

Interested in meeting more Strathcona makers? Learn more about Birdies, Scavenger Coffee, Orii Jewelry, Yardi Grabz, Living Lotus Chocolate and Awesome Sauce Designs.

Andres Zapata and James Mieu are the creators behind Birdies, a Peruvian-inspired ghost kitchen serving up succulent chicken and sides from their commissary space in Strathcona.

Birdies is a new project that sprouted from the duo’s catering venture, Oui Chef Catering. Serving up delicious chicken, sides and their specialty beverage chicha, Birdies’ recipes have been meticulously developed drawing from the pair’s experience working in high-end restaurants both here in Vancouver and abroad. 

Hoping to expand their menu soon, Birdies’ simple menu is anything but ordinary. Their birds are beer-brined for a day before they’re drenched in a pepper marinade and grilled on flaming hot charcoals. Their fries are spiced to perfection and their chimichurri and sauces will no doubt have you coming back for more.

Learn more about the founders of Birdies below and find their menu online through Doordash.

Tell us a little bit about your brand and what you do.

Birdies Charcoal Grill specializes in serving barbecue-style chicken using true-to-style techniques from various global gastronomic cultures. Our initial menu consists of a Peruvian-style charcoal chicken known as Pollo a la Brasa that gets served with aji criollo (a Peruvian amarillo pepper sauce), chimichurri, and chicha (a Peruvian purple corn drink created by the Andean community). We wanted to use Birdies as a way to highlight our culinary backgrounds while serving the community something unique and delicious. As we continue with Birdies we will add more flavours and styles to our menu paying homage to our heritage and the local Vancouver food culture.

How did your love for cooking begin and when did you decide to turn your passion into a business?

Where in Strathcona are you based and what makes this neighbourhood special to you?

We are located in the B3 Collective Commissary Kitchen on the corner of East Hastings Street and Vernon Street. Strathcona has been an ideal environment for us. There are a lot of creative and cool small businesses around the neighbourhood which gives us vision and confidence for future growth. We love the hard-working energy of our colleagues in our commissary kitchen as well and are lucky to be a part of a supportive small business community.

How does your work impact the community?

Since we are still pretty new our impact hasn’t been too deep. Asides from offering tasty treats we hope that over time we will grow to become a known part of the community. We are always interested in engaging in local events and promoting our working neighbourhood.

Where can we find you?

You can find us at the B3 Collective, on Instagram @birdiesyvr, and on DoorDash.

Interested in meeting more Strathcona makers? Learn more about Orii Jewelry, Yardi Grabz, Living Lotus Chocolate and Awesome Sauce Designs.

Rory and Diana are the business owners of Scavenger Coffee, a unique bicycle transported business that doubles as a traveling coffee stand, based right here in Strathcona.

Drawing from Diana’s love of bicycles as well as her experience in the cargo-bike delivery industry, the pair started their coffee business during the beginning of the pandemic. A challenging obstacle to their original business plan has led them to find their community at a number of Vancouver Farmer’s Markets as well as festivals, weddings and other events.

Learn more about Rory and Diana’s story below.

Tell us a little bit about your brand and what you do.

Rory: Scavenger Coffee is a mobile coffee shop, pulled behind a bicycle. Our cart is handmade, by us, from local and scavenged materials. Our espresso is hand-pulled, on our 1970s Italian espresso machine.

We launched just before the pandemic, and it’s been an interesting ride since then figuring out ways to survive. We thought we’d made it when we got a Downtown operating permit for the corner of Robson & Granville St starting on March 1st, 2020… but we’re fortunate to be flexible and we pivoted to operating in neighborhood parks so we could serve people working from home.

Now we have a happy mix of farmer’s markets, private events, festivals, and sunny days at the park.

How did your love for coffee begin and when did you decide to turn your passion into a business?

Diana: I’ve always loved coffee, but it was my passion for bikes that inspired me to start a business. I worked for Shift Delivery, which is a cargo bike delivery co-op, a few years ago. They had such a great community and really showed me the potential of a bike-based business. They inspired me to combine my love of coffee culture with my passion for bikes and start a business.

Where in Strathcona are you based and what makes this neighbourhood special to you?

Diana: We feel really lucky to live and work in Strathcona. It’s a 2 minute commute to our kitchen space, which is tucked under the Powell St overpass. My admiration for the community that coffee can bring was fostered in no small part by some of our neighborhood mainstays, like the Wilder Snail and the Union Market. Those spots are just a couple of examples of the many reasons why I love this neighborhood.

How does your work impact the community?

Diana: By operating a small business exclusively from a bicycle, we hope to inspire folks, and shift the city towards being more bike-centric, active, and community-oriented.

Rory: People love to see crazy things being pulled by a bicycle, and no one believes us at events when we tell them that yes, we did bike it here. I like to think that we open some people’s eyes to what you can do with a bicycle. It’s such a great way of getting around Vancouver.

Where can we find you?

Diana: On the weekends we’ll be bouncing around the Riley Park, Kitsilano, West End and Trout Lake Farmers Markets all summer long: April 30th – Oct 30th. We’re also really excited that festivals, events, and weddings are happening again this summer! We’re still filling our schedule, but we’ll be posting our location on our Instagram @scavengercoffee.

You can also learn more about Scavenger Coffee at www.scavengercoffee.com

Interested in meeting more Strathcona makers? Learn more about Orii Jewelry, Yardi Grabz, Living Lotus Chocolate and Awesome Sauce Designs.

April 22 is Earth Day and to celebrate we want to highlight two businesses in Strathcona who are doing great things in the way of slow fashion and environmentally responsible fabrics.

Everything we purchase has an environmental impact. The growing popularity of fast fashion over the last couple of decades has led to a cheaper price point but has also been a contributor to the negative impact on the environment.

Making environmentally responsible choices with our clothing is a great way to show your love for fashion but also the planet. Having a high standard for the social and environmental impact of our clothing is a great step we can take as individuals to help create a cleaner, greener and more fair planet.

We spoke with Strathcona businesses Blackbird Fabrics and Our Social Fabric about why having a positive, sustainable impact is an important part of their businesses. Read more below.

Blackbird Fabrics is a Strathcona business that provides high-quality fabrics and supplies for sewists, by sewists. They offer a range of apparel fabrics that feel at home in any modern wardrobe including natural fibers, deadstock fabrics, and custom print lines, with an emphasis on fabrics that are environmentally and socially responsible wherever possible.

How does your business make a difference to the environment?

Why is social and environmental impact important to your business and/or in your industry?

Having seen the negative effects that have resulted from the rise of fast fashion, such as overconsumption, inhumane labour practices, and devastating effects on the environment, we believe that it’s important to commit ourselves to use our platform and our purchasing power responsibly.

Likewise, as a team made up of home-sewists who have a personal investment in the slow-fashion movement, we believe that it’s important that our practices as a business reflect these shared values.

What do you find inspiring about the slow-fashion movement and community?

It’s incredibly inspiring to see the wealth of knowledge that has been made available to regular consumers by way of the slow-fashion community. In an industry like the fashion industry where many of the details around production have traditionally been behind closed doors, it’s so encouraging to see people pushing their favourite brands for more transparency and asking industry-level questions surrounding their practices.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Alongside Earth Day, this week is also Fashion Revolution week, an annual global campaign dedicated to mobilizing consumers, brands, and policymakers to advocate for a safer, more transparent, and less exploitative fashion industry. We’ll be participating by sharing articles and information over on our Resource page and Instagram, we also encourage you to check out the numerous resources provided by Fashion Revolution if you are interested in learning more.

Our Social Fabric is a non-profit fabric store selling donated deadstock fabric and fibre arts supplies online and in person. They keep ‘waste’ fabric out of landfills by getting it into the hands of the fibre arts and slow-fashion community. They believe in a future where no useable fabric ends up in Canadian landfills.

How does your business make a difference to the environment?

Why is social and environmental impact important to your business and/or in your industry?

What do you find inspiring about the slow-fashion movement and community?

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Our online store can be found at www.oursocialfabric.ca or visit us at 270-1275 Venables St during one of our in person sales. We’re open every Thursday 3pm-7pm and one Sunday a month, 10am-1pm. Check our website for the latest sale schedule. Our staff and volunteers are always on hand to answer questions and help you make fabric selections. We also sell sewing machines for anyone wanting to get started.

March 8th is International Women’s Day and to celebrate we want to highlight five women who are making a difference in Strathcona all year round.

Our neighbourhood is home to a diverse group of business entrepreneurs in wonderful sub-districts that all contribute to the eclectic vibe that is Strathcona. And over 35 of those businesses were founded by women.

We’re featuring five women, each with unique offerings and interesting stories. From a bakery owner to the founder of a co-working space, the women below all represent the hardworking, determined characteristics that are at the core of the Strathcona way of being. We hope you discover something new and amazing.

For a full list of women-owned businesses operating in Strathcona visit this link here. 

Janna is the co-founder of Flourist, a newer addition to Strathcona and one of the yummiest bakeries we’ve had the pleasure of indulging in. With her partner Shira, Janna created a company that works exclusively with Canadian family farms to source premium local grains and beans and provides high-quality fresh flour, dry goods and other baking supplies. They now have two successful locations (their flagship store is on Commercial Drive) which include both retail and baked goods, and an online store for all their specialty items. 

What is a piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Spend as much time as you can figuring out who your business helps and make sure you know that person as well as you can. Also, that old cliché to plan for half the sales and twice the costs is an old cliché for a reason.

What was your motivation for starting your own business?

I was mostly motivated to see through the vision that I couldn’t get out of my head. There were other reasons of course, but the driving force was being able to bring something new to life.

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own business?

I love connecting with customers, the ones that truly appreciate why we do this. Nothing is more gratifying!

Monique is the founder of Makeshift Work Space, a beautiful co-working space in Strathcona. Monique has created a space that is inviting, comfortable, and inspiring – the perfect space to build something meaningful. Monique has a unique career path and journey that led her to becoming an entrepreneur in the event space and co-working space business. 

What is a piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

I remember in the beginning things were nerve racking, but if you have something that you believe in, make a plan and chase it. Don’t do it without the plan. You’ll never regret the chances you take, only the ones you didn’t, but you also have to remember that not every chance you take is a success, and you have to roll with the losses by learning a lesson from each one. Keep moving forward and remember that the road you take to success will look very different than it did when you take your first steps.

Who inspires you and why?

I am truly inspired by Queen Latifah. In addition to her success in business and the arts, she is running a campaign called “It’s Bigger Than Me” aimed at changing the conversations about weight and obesity, addressing the shame, bias and stigma of being overweight. I appreciate her role in this difficult conversation, and the impact it has on society. She is also Producing and Starring in a TV show that is addressing the challenges we have as a society with racism and social justice. She is not shying away from the conversation, and that is captivating and motivating me. I understand and aspire towards the effort it takes to succeed in any line of work.

What was your motivation for starting your own business?

I had a very long career in the security industry, but I left it feeling unfulfilled. I questioned whether my children would be proud of what I do for a living and ultimately I realized the answer was no. It is a real challenge having to reinvent yourself and choose a new path, but I found success in my last career, I felt I could find success working for myself. I also felt zero impact being a person of color and a woman in my last career, and I wanted that to become a large part of the business that I run since it is a large part of who I am. 

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own business?

I do enjoy working for myself but I revel in the opportunity to meet new people. I always hope that there is a chance I can help someone forward in their life or career. I know I have the strength to run a strong operation but its first and foremost about building a community. A place where people enjoy working from, and networking within our community.

What does the future hold for your business?

We are in a rebuilding phase after the impact of COVID on our community. We are growing and looking towards expanding our operation. It’s all about supporting other businesses and helping each other out.

Kendra is the owner of Goodbye Graffiti Vancouver, a company that has an integral role in how the Strathcona BIA supports our business community. Goodbye Graffiti provides graffiti removal from any surface, and currently removes graffiti from almost 3,000 individual locations on a weekly basis, including servicing four BIA districts. Not only is Kendra running the show at Goodbye Graffiti, she’s also got an incredible story that led her to becoming an entrepreneur. 

Who inspires you and why?

I grew up in a family with strong female entrepreneurs. My parents were both self-employed, and as a child, I was fortunate to come from a home where business was always talked about at the dinner table. My mother raised my sister and me while going to college and running multiple businesses at the same time. She demonstrated to us at a young age that you can be a successful entrepreneur and a caring and involved parent at the same time. My mother has always been an extremely important supporter of my career, and I am so grateful for her overall guidance and lessons on business that continue to this day.

What is a piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

I have three key pieces of advice. First, Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing, especially for women working in male-dominated fields. You assume that everyone who already has a seat at the table (most often men) is so much more qualified, capable, and knowledgeable than you. And then you get to the table and you realize…that’s really not the case. That’s one thing that’s really struck me in my journey in business. Being able to witness and experience first-hand the shattering of the myth that certain positions just aren’t meant for you because you’re a woman.

Second – always take care of your people! This has been instrumental in my success. You’re only as good as your team and healthy company culture is incredibly key. So it’s really in your best interest to communicate transparently, authentically and frequently. Check in regularly so that they feel empowered by your support and ask them what they need from you to be successful. And never assume that you can’t be growing and learning too. Ask your team what more you can be doing to better yourself and the business, and never let yourself get too comfortable. You should always be working on improving your business and looking forward, and that means asking for feedback on your own performance as well as your organization’s.

Last but definitely not least, when you’ve reached a point of success and have the opportunity to, make sure you’re holding the door open for the people, ESPECIALLY the women, behind you. There’s no reason it should be “every man for themselves” out there. I am a firm believer that you have to help all your employees reach their full potential and sometimes that means holding the door open for them to move on, which could mean leaving your business for another opportunity. It’s hard to see top performers go, but you are doing yourself a disservice if you think closing off opportunities to people behind you will advance your business.

What was your motivation for starting your own business?

As a kid growing up I was challenged and struggled in school. But my parents taught me that even if I was a ‘C’ student but was doing my best that was okay. They promoted the fact that even if school wasn’t easy for me, I could still be very successful in life as long as I had a positive attitude and strong work ethic. I took this advice to heart and when I got my first job at 14 I started implementing these strategies for many years to come. I would always be the one to offer to stay late, to cover shifts, take on work no one else wanted to do. I did whatever I could to make my manager’s job easier, to support others, and I believe these tactics helped me grow my career in business much more quickly. Struggling in school as a young person motivated me to work harder outside of the classroom, which lead me to eventually go into business for myself.

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own business?

One of the things I have enjoyed most about owning my own business is having the ability to build out my own team of people. At Goodbye Graffiti™ we have such a unique and diverse workforce and I feel strongly it’s one of the key pillars to our success!

What does the future hold for your business?

Today the future means reinvesting in our business at Goodbye Graffiti. I’m sure it will come as no surprise to hear that since 2017 we have seen unprecedented growth in overall graffiti volumes, not just across the city of Vancouver but in all major municipalities in Canada. Our organization has plans to add many more vehicles, staff, and is even planning to pilot some new and innovative graffiti management strategies with key stakeholders.

Mithalee is the founder of Shorba Bone Broth, providing collagen-rich bone broth with medicinal spices for gut health & immune support. Mithalee is a chef who used her passion for traditional food products and strongly held values of food as medicine in the Ayurveda tradition, and turned it into a full-scale business.

Who inspires you and why?

My parents were both entrepreneurs so watching them inspired me to be one myself.

What is a piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Do you research before jumping in! Informational interviews are super helpful – entrepreneurs are busy but always love making time for enthusiastic entrepreneurs. Just have pointed questions ready.

What was your motivation for starting your own business?

I was a chef in the health food industry when I noticed bone broth becoming trendy. However, all the other brands were making it like soup stock. I had learned the medicinal ways to produce bone broth through Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, so I felt passionate about providing representation from those lineages in the offerings of bone broth.

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own business?

When customers have shared with me that they have experienced positive health impacts because of my broth. Makes me teary thinking about it!

What does the future hold for your business?

This is the year of scaling up! We are finally expanding into more of BC this month. As well, as a brand new offering this summer which will offer a ready-to-eat bone broth-infused side dish!

Lillie is the owner of Small Potatoes Commissary, a space that has been instrumental to the production of some of Strathcona’s best and emerging food and beverage businesses. A long-time veteran of the food business scene in Vancouver, Lillie is passionate about plant-based eating, zero-waste initiatives, and all things food! 

What was your motivation for starting your own business?

I come from a family of entrepreneurs, both my parents ran their own businesses throughout my childhood, so I was well versed in the joys and pitfalls! Going into business for myself was very much second nature, and I never viewed it as any more or less challenging than setting off on a more “typical” career path. I think that deep down, even from a young age, I knew I wouldn’t flourish working for someone else in the way that I would working for myself.

What is a piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t give up. As cheesy and obvious as it sounds- it really is true. I don’t take this to mean that forcing something to work is the way forward: flexibility is paramount in an entrepreneur’s skill set. For anyone starting a business or feeling stuck in theirs: ask yourself if you’re the victim of your own tunnel vision. Is there space for you to adapt an idea or current situation? And lastly, always ask for support and guidance when you need it 🙂

Strathcona Deals for Strathcona Businesses

Promotion Guidelines

We love that Strathcona is a business community that looks out for one another. It’s an important time to support each other as businesses continue to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic. We want to help our members to support other Strathcona businesses by offering space in our digital member newsletter for special promotions intended for fellow local businesses.  

Here’s how it works:

Once a month we’ll have up to two spots for special promotions by and for Strathcona BIA members.

This could be a discount code or coupon that you want to share with other Strathcona businesses.

Share with us:

• the details of your promotion (e.g. specific days, times, or instructions)
• why you think Strathcona is a special place to do business

Promotions from the same business will be shared up to a maximum of twice per calendar year. 

Email us with your request at info@strathconabia.com and please include a photograph with your promotion if you have one. 

We reserve the right to not approve a request if it is not in line with the values of the organization and the spirit of this initiative. All promotions follow Strathcona BIA’s Promotion Policies.

We love to see new additions to our neighborhood. Over the last few months of 2021, Strathcona was fortunate to welcome several new businesses to our East side neighbourhood. These five recently opened spots are offering up some extra uniqueness to Strathcona and we are delighted to introduce them.

For destination pastry lovers or frequent neighborhood goers, you’ll find some wonderful new foodie options. Or perhaps a place for your pooch? Yep, we’ve welcomed a pet store to Strathcona too. Maybe you’re looking for a great spot to get a haircut or a place to shop for some luxury linens.

Keep reading to find the details on 5 Businesses That Have Recently Opened in Strathcona below.

Flourist

@flourist

859 East Hastings, Vancouver
Open daily from 11AM-4PM

Flourist is a retail flour store and bakery that just opened its second Vancouver location in Strathcona. With every inch of their shop covered in delicious possibilities, Flourist sources premium local grains and beans and then stone mills the grain in-house, to order. Not only can you shop their wonderful retail section but at their Strathcona location you can also treat yourself to freshly baked bread, cookies and treats.

Moonlight Natural Pet Store

@moonlightdogcafe

935 E Hastings St.

Open Mon – Fri: 10am – 6:30pm

Sat + Sun: 10am – 5pm

Sending a very warm welcome to a fantastic new business in Strathcona, Moonlight Natural Pet Store, an essential stop for spoiling your furry family members. You’ll find quality treats and food, stylish outwear, and the cutest squeaky toys for your favourite dogs and cats.

Flax Home

@shopflaxhome

858 E Hastings St

Open via appointment

Welcoming the wonderful Flax Home to our neighbourhood who specializes in luxury linen for bedrooms and the rest of your home. Grab some stunning materials for your bed and bathroom or try on one of their lovely robes. 

You can visit their showroom on weekends or make an appointment during the week.

Rise Up Marketplace

@riseupmarketplace

704 Vernon Dr

Mon – Thurs: 9am – 6pm

Fri: 9am – 2pm

Rise Up Marketplace recently took over the iconic Vernon Drive Grocery to add a must-stop place for goodies and hot food items. They offer up an assortment of snacks and treats as well as a retail section filled with goodies from local makers. You’ll always hear great music, find a smiling face and a welcoming place to chill.

Big Joy Barber

@bigjoybarberandsalon

875 E Hastings St. 

Sun – Thurs: 10am – 7pm

Fri: 10am – 5pm

We are happy to announce the Big Joy Barber and Salon has recently moved from their East Village shop to the heart of Strathcona on Hastings St. Welcoming everyone and all hair types, Big Joy is a wonderful addition to the neighbourhood and we’re so excited for you to get to know them.

The holidays are here and it’s the perfect time to gift big and shop small.

Strathcona is home to a variety of different makers and small businesses. We’ve put together a perfectly curated list that includes a wonderful arrangement of gifts. You’ll find something to suit every person and budget whether you’re looking for a secret Santa gift for a work colleague, or the perfect something special for a loved one.

Check out our Strathcona Holiday Gift Guide for every personality below.

Homebody

Homecoming Candle set from The Garden

Flax Home Robe

Loungewear from Christine Lingerie

Plant hanger from Pure Designs

Foodie

Wine from Vancouver Urban Winery

Starter Flour Bundle from Flourist

Graze Box from Savoury Chef 

Coffee lover

Ceramic Mug from Picnics and Poetry

Prototype Coffee Subscription

Adventurous type

Strathcona Gallery tour with Curated Tastes

Makerlabs Workshop Experience

Tattoo from Palace Tattoo

Trend-setter

Handmade jewelry from EWMA

Thrifted items from UGM Thrift

East Van T-Shirt from Shop Wrong

Art enthusiast

Various gifts and accessories from Strathcona makers via Awen Haus

Art from Captain Design Studio

Jewelry from Maddles Made