The doors have closed permanently at a unique store in East Vancouver.
Focused on education, the Learnary was founded in 2018 as a not-for-profit social enterprise carrying everything from crafting gear to art supplies to stickers and cards. Its last day at 2643 East Hastings St. was Sept. 30.
"Our model means that all the profits we make in our store or through our activities go back into the organization to support our mandate," reads the about us on the store's website.
As it was run by a not-for-profit, the store's profits went towards the Learnary's goal of offering affordable, multidisciplinary learning opportunities.
"We started this social enterprise with the hope of doing something different within a capitalist framework, and we have learned so much about how that does and doesn’t work," reads a post from the store's Instagram.
As well as operating as a shop, the Learnary also housed classes, held events, and offered activities for kids.
It also had some "Natural Curiosities," operated a puzzle exchange, and was the home of the Stitchery, which is looking for a new home. The Stitchery was a weekly event for people to learn sewing skills and ask questions; it operated in person and via Zoom.
"Unfortunately, due to the combined difficulties of small business in today’s economy, the pandemic, and long Covid, we are just not able to make the project financially viable," reads the post.
While the space is closed, the Vancouver Learnary Society is looking to create a pop-up.
"While it is time to move on from running the shop, the society will continue to reimagine how to fulfill our mission in new ways in the future," reads the Instagram post.
