My Mother

A beautiful tribute to a great mother.
2 minutes 39 seconds

By Thelma Gibson Towns

Thelma grew up in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood to become an accomplished artist; she is a musician, singer, dancer, and actress.  She and her brothers performed in Vancouver’s first live television show Bamboula.   She has won awards for her contributions to the black community and achievements in the performing arts. 

Music On Main Street

Community and great music come together at this record shop.

3 minutes 13 seconds

By Dave Gowans

Dave has been a music lover for all of his life.  He was the lead vocals of Vancouver band, The Buttless Chaps, and now plays in a new Vancouver band called Cloudsplitter.  Together with Lasse Lutick he is co-owner of Red Cat Records.

Silver Darlings To Silver Screens

The early days of movie theaters in Vancouver. 
2 minutes 57 seconds  

By Shirley Sutherland

As a history enthusiast and second generation Canadian, Shirley always has enjoyed hearing of her family’s roots in Scotland, lives in Canada and of the opportunities and challenges faced. As a member of one of Vancouver’s early movie theatre families, she enjoyed many benefits.  Childhood memories include having easy access to shows for herself and friends (some still fondly recall seeing A Hard Day’s Night seven times), home screenings at the family’s annual Halloween party, and witnessing the neon lights of Vancouver’s Theatre Row.  She recalls the impact and family concern that the arrival of television brought to the motion picture industry. 

Family Business

A produce store that, through a stroke of fate, stayed in the family.

4 minutes 10 seconds

By Girlie Koo

In her retirement, besides visiting with her tons of friends that stay in touch from her days at J.B. Hoy Produce, she works magic with her orchids and enjoys walks through her Kerrisdale neighbourhood. Girlie has many talents, two of which are knitting and sewing. It turns out she knitted and sewed her own clothes as well as for her husband and children!
Originally collected for Kerrisdale Collective Memory

Enjoy Yourself!

"I love this place because the environment is very good."

1 minute 51 seconds

by Vasanti Maisuria


Vasanti came from Gujarat, India a year ago to be with her son and daughter-in-law and her grandchildren. She worked there in their family business repairing Honda scooters with her husband and sons. Here, she is enjoying her retirement traveling, being with friends at the Sunset and Moberly Community Centres and being surrounded by a loving family.

Cars In The Family

In the late 1920's if you went to the corner of Burrard and Georgia you would have found yourself at Hadaway's Corner.
 2 minutes 34 seconds 

By Bill Hadaway
Bill was born and raised in Vancouver.  He attended Kitchener Elementary school, Point Grey, (when it was just a Junior High School) and Magee Secondary school.  Bill didn’t follow in the automobile trend of his seniors and went into Dentistry.  He worked throughout the city as a Dentist with the Vancouver Health Department and with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, mainly at South Health Unit at 49^th and Knight Street.

Tailored Memories

Matt with his daughter, Anika

The appreciation of history from a Riley Park business owner.

2 minutes 45 seconds

By Matt Bishop

Matt Bishop lovingly opened Re-entry Espresso in 2006, it became a very popular coffee shop on Main.  Sadly it closed it's doors on February 27, 2011 and is missed by all.  Matt has stored one of the espresso machines in his basement; staff and regulars continue to beg him to throw coffee parties!  He has two lovely daughters and a wonderful wife, and has now moved onto a new job writing software for a local ecommerce company. 
Originally collected for Riley Park Stories