Katy at UBC

The video below describes my Grandfather’s life as he grew up in Vancouver, and the family’s produce store in Kerrisdale. You can see him as a little boy in his father’s lap around 20 seconds in. The narrator is Girlie Koo, my Great Aunt and my Grandfather’s sister.

I have many memories of the shop described in the video, JB Hoy Produce. When I was young, I remember going there with my parents and “working” the register. They had an old-fashioned brass register that I remember being fascinated by. For my efforts, I was always rewarded with a popsicle from one of the freezers on the lefthand side of the store.

I remember that my Great Uncle Allen was a quiet and kind man, who often worked “behind the scenes” while my Great Aunt interacted with the customers out front. The shop had a great energy and was a large part of the Kerrisdale community.

I wish there were more family run businesses in Vancouver, because every time I enter one I’m reminded of this time in my childhood.

Katy

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