I like to think if there’s one thing in Richmond we can all agree on it’s that we can’t agree on anything when it comes to Steveston. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. And I speak with hyperbole. But the passion burns in this city’s crown jewel and there are a lot of competing interests and opinions.
Fierce debates about the likes of heritage preservation, community connectivity, economic development, traffic and environmental protection often cross-pollinate in the realm of discourse.
Ultimately it comes down to (or at least should come down to) the people who live in, work in and visit Steveston as to what direction the area should take.
Steveston is unique in that respect. Other areas of Richmond are developed mostly at the hands of city planners, at council’s discretion. Sure there are some public consultations here and there, but in Steveston there are a lot more eyeballs overseeing changes. One of the reasons for all of this outward human capital, I believe, is that the village remains a pocket of independent merchants — the moms and the pops, if you will.
On Aug. 26 we will lose a true gatekeeper of modern-day Steveston, in Mary Carter, owner and operator of Mary’s British Home.
For 35 years Carter has fostered and officiated some incredible conversations inside her shop.
She, collectively along with the other independent merchants, are the bellwether of Steveston.
That’s why the introduction of franchise grocers and chain restaurants is always such a hotly-contested topic — case in point McDonald’s just over a decade ago and now a forthcoming Save-On Foods.
I’m not saying you can’t spark up a very real and personal relationship with one of the many baristas who works in one of Steveston’s newer franchise coffee shops; but such workers are bound to come and go more often than not. You’re likely to find a little more meaning and insight from an independent merchant who is 100 per cent invested in the village. Furthermore, the latter are a lot more approachable; they wear their uniforms to the dinner table.
The reason why Steveston is a cultural hub is because you have people doing things, often without guidance or, heaven forbid, interference from city hall. Restauranteur Jim van der Tas has lead the Steveston Merchants Association; barista Davood Khatami and chocolatier Dominique Jarry organize block parties; record slinger Frankie Nielson of Beat Merchant Record Store collaborates on Music at the Cannery. And so on.
As the fishing industry becomes less impactful and Steveston becomes a more desirable place to live, like it or not, change is afoot. It always had been. It always will be.
Over on Bayview Street a new smoothie shop has opened up. Sure, it signals the most recent wave of gentrification, but it also holds that one thing that has always made Steveston what it is — it’s owned and operated by someone who’s sunk his heart into making it and the village around it work. It shouldn’t take long for people to get to know Braeden Ralla.
