“I don’t really care what day I get.”
The Steveston business owners shrugged their shoulders when asked what date on the World Cup calendar they’d like as organizer Bean and Beyond Café’s Davood Khatami dug deep into his two buckets.
A few minutes later, their collective masks of indifference slipped off, when, one-by-one, their names were pulled out of the “hat” by Erinn Bryan, of O’Hare’s Gastropub.
Fist-pumping and insult-trading ensued as it became apparent which business would be celebrating its “national day” when and what World Cup game in Brazil would be on that day.
“As long as I don’t get a Monday, I’m usually closed on Mondays!” said Original Sausage Haus’ Jens Hertha, who’ll, unoriginally, be cheering on Germany when the World Cup kicks off June 12 in Sao Paulo.
Hertha was quickly shouted down by Holland’s cheerleader — the Blue Canoe’s Jim van der Tas — who advised Khatami to get plenty of oranjeribbons “because you’re gonna need ‘em July 13,” the day of the World Cup final.
Thirty two local businesses have signed up to adopt one of the 32 countries playing in the World Cup — the planet’s most prestigious and coveted soccer tournament, lasting 32 days.
As per the brainchild of soccer-mad Khatami and his wife, Eileen, the intent is to transform large parts of Steveston into a World Cup village, with businesses becoming a “pavilion” of their country and its traditions from June 12 to July 13.
There are plans for street parties, barbecues and promotions and, potentially, an outdoor giant-screening of the World Cup final near Steveston Community Centre.
And last week, while packed into Bean and Beyond, the participants got drawn specific dates on the World Cup calendar, when they’ll celebrate a “national day,” when all the village’s focus will be on them for that day.
“This could be something really special for the village,” a very excited Khatami, himself a German-supporting Iranian, told the business owners.
“There are thousands of soccer fans all over the city and outside of Richmond who might decide to pay us a visit during the World Cup if we do this right.”
Khatami also told the business owners — ranging from candy stores to cafes and from clothing boutiques to bars — said there could also be a prize for the best-dressed pavilion.
One thing’s for sure, given the trash-talking in the room last week, there’s likely to be a lot of flag-waving and colourful “banter” in and around Steveston village in the eight-week run up to the big kick-off June 12, when the hosts Brazil take on Croatia.
If you’re interested in supporting the World Cup village, contact Khatami at 604-277-2687.
