Andrea Brown is a young mom of two very busy boys - three-year-old Tyler and 11-month-old Jamie.
On maternity leave for another month, the teacher said, "I'd go stir crazy if I had to be home alone all day."
"I love that I can walk out my door and have a park and a whole community all within a few minutes away from my home," said the 33-year-old. "I love that Steveston is right by the water and that it has a small town feel.
"You don't really need a car when you live in Steveston."
The News caught up with Brown while her sons were enjoying Steveston Community Centre's Parent & Tot Playtime program.
On the corner of No. 1 and Moncton roads, the community centre shares its space with a martial arts facility, three indoor tennis courts, two outdoor courts, a lacrosse box, two softball diamonds, a fitness track, playground, picnic area, outdoor basketball courts and a waterpark.
There's a plethora of activities available for the growing number of young families attracted to the area.
"There is also the Steveston Public Library that is great," added Brown. "I enjoy taking the boys to the library for storytime."
Brown also has Tyler enrolled in a music program at the centre, as well as the preschool daycare.
"We love to come to the community centre for the open gym. When the weather is good, we can spend hours at the adjacent park," said Brown.
"There's also stroller sessions available at Starbucks where lots of new, young moms hangout.
"The sessions entail moms going for a walk together."
That's not all the active mom does in Steveston.
"I do most of my shopping in Steveston and I love that the merchants know me," she added. "I shop at Kids Supply Clothing Co., because they have great second-hand and new clothes, very funky and organic.
"I have to say though that you have to have money to live in Steveston."
Six years ago, Christen Haines purchased the two-decade-old Kids Supply Clothing Co. from her former boss and owner.
"I was an employee and really loved the store, the clients and the fun atmosphere," Haines said. "For young families on a tight budget, it's great.
"We also have clothes right up to high school graduation and even clothes for moms."
On any given day, many moms and their children come in to browse, shop or just to chat.
She said the store has a village attitude that really resonates with clients.
"I've seen kids grow up into teens and some have even become moms themselves," she added.
Over at Steveston Village Maternity, Beth Fairchild and her husband Ben outfit some of the cutest little people in the village.
Last summer, the Steveston couple opened their store on Moncton Street. When Fairchild was pregnant with their daughter Emi, she felt there was a lack of quality and fashionable maternity wear in the village.
So the enterprising couple decided to open their own store.
"We love the village so it made sense to open a business here," said Ben Fairchild, who added their daughter is now 10 months old. "We also sell baby products and clothes up to age five."
Not only are they merchants, they also shop here as well.
When Ben Fairchild has a serious case of sweet tooth, he heads over to Steveston's Outpost Mini Donuts or The Sweet Spot Bakery.
"The town has so much to offer," said Ben Fairchild. "We live, work and play here."
For more information about Steveston Community Centre's Parent & Tot programs, call 604-238-8080 or visit www.richmond. ca/parksrec/centres/stevestoncentre/steveston. html.
mhopkins@richmond-news.com
