Browsing “Home Grown Profiles”

V.I.A.’s Home Grown features only the most awesome companies in Vancouver. From tiny, single-person operations to the big players, we profile our favourite businesses and interview their owners.

Charm Modern Thai Established 2008 www.charmmodernthai.com

Charm Modern Thai, a Yaletown Thai food joint, is big on keeping its dishes authentic to the homeland, meaning no ketchup Pad Thai is anywhere to be found.

The modern décor is cool, the staff is charming (naturally!) and the Crispy Prawn Wontons, Tom Kha Lobster Bisque and Coconut Cream Scallops are about the most awesome Thai bits of deliciousness to ever hit your mouth.

We sat down with Charm’s proprietor, Desmond, for a few questions…
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

V.I.A.’s Home Grown features only the most awesome companies in Vancouver. From tiny, single-person operations to the big players, we profile our favourite businesses and interview their owners.

Happy Planet Established 1994 www.happyplanet.com

Co-founded 15 years ago on an organic farm by our current mayor and his bud, Happy Planet has grown to become one of the best known and respected juice makers in the province. Now producing soups, sauces and energy shots as well as a wide range of smoothies and juices made in small batches, they produce healthy foods to promote healthy living and get a huge thumbs up from V.I.A. for being a super awesome local business that we can be proud of.

We caught up with Happy Planet’s president, Ray Leung, for a few questions… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

V.I.A.’s Home Grown features only the most awesome companies in Vancouver. From tiny, single-person operations to the big players, we profile our favourite businesses and interview their owners.

Rival Schools Established March 2007 www.rivalschools.tv

Rival Schools is one of Vancouver’s finest creative digital boutiques. In our words, these dudes make some ruling digital creations. In their words:

‘Creative’ means we concept as well as execute
Sure, we handle production, and sure, the final work is ever so juicy and delicious. But good fortune alone rarely makes it as such. Our work resonates because of the source from which it originates: within our own walls, and within our own heads. We solve strategic problems by transforming original ideas into embraceable solutions that are as tangible and measurable as they are lovable and huggable.

‘Digital’ means we handle a lot of pixels
It’s difficult to hit a moving target. And digital production moves faster than anything out there. From High Definition to Web to mobile, digital is our primary focus. It’s how we ensure that final deliverables are worthy of their origins.

‘Boutique’ means we’re small… and exclusive
It’s no accident that the people who founded and own our company are still the ones producing and directing projects. And it’s those same people who deal first-hand with our elite handful of clients.

Made up of a team of 6 (yes, their shop dog counts as one!), we caught up with co-founder, Dave Lam, for a few questions… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

V.I.A.’s Home Grown features only the most awesome companies in Vancouver. From tiny, single-person operations to the big players, we profile our favourite businesses and interview their owners.

Purdy’s Established 1907 www.purdys.com

Purdy’s Chocolates is one of the oldest and most awesome businesses in all of Vancouver. Founded in 1907 by Richard Carmon Purdy who opened his first chocolate shop on Robson Street, over the past 102 years this company has become, and has remained, a true icon of chocolate in Canada. Their chocolates are made using only the finest ingredients from around the world and the company was voted by its employees as one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers in 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2009. A Canadian owned and family operated business, Purdy’s is the largest chocolate retailer in Western Canada and the second largest in Canada, with 57 stores in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Their chocolates are ridiculously tasty and I would be surprised if you told me that you’ve never enjoyed them.

We caught up with the president of Purdy’s, Karen Flavelle, for a few questions… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

V.I.A.’s Home Grown features only the most awesome companies in Vancouver. From tiny, single-person operations to the big players, we profile our favourite businesses and interview their owners.

Vincent Park Established 2008 www.vincentpark.ca

Over the past year sisters Lauren and Cara Stryer have been working on continuing their family’s legacy on Main Street. Transforming part of their parents’ old antique shop into Vincent Park, a destination for cult brands in Vancouver, the two are just now coming up on their one year birthday. Brands such as Cheap Monday, Mined Rd, FluXus, LA Made, Fred Perry, Something Else, Mink Pink, Alternative Apparel, Eryn Brinie and more grace the hangers and shelves complimented by classy decor, revolving artwork, a photo booth and a welcoming vibe. Make a point of venturing a couple blocks north of 25th Ave to pay them a visit, you’ll be glad you did!

We caught up with Lauren and Cara for a few questions… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

V.I.A.’s Home Grown features only the most awesome companies in Vancouver. From tiny, single-person operations to the big players, we profile our favourite businesses and interview their owners.

Chambar Established 2004 www.chambar.com

Chambar has very quickly become one of Vancouver’s favorite restaurants since opening in September 2004, thanks to its scrumptious menu (oh, the Congolaise Moule Frites!) and its long, admirable list of Belgian brews.

Founders Karri and Nico Schuermans continue to make a mark on the local restaurant and food scene with Caffe Medina, located right next to Chambar (and infamous for being lined up on weekends for those hot skillet brunches). The husband-and-wife team also recently cut ribbon on The Dirty Apron Cooking School, headed by former Chambar Sous-Chef, David Robertson.

So we at V.I.A. raise our glasses to the Schuermans and Chambar for helping make Vancouver the culinary capital it’s becoming today!

We got Karri and Nico to answer a few questions… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>