Meet the Makers of Strathcona on June 13

This weekend, Strathcona residents will get a chance to take a look at the beating heart of their community during the Meet the Makers event.

Taking place Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Meet the Makers hopes to get people interested in the unique and innovate businesses working to revitalize the Strathcona neighbourhood.

“We want to get the public together and have a larger discussion,” says Joji Kumagi, Executive Director of the Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA), who is hosting the event. “We want to focus on the making aspect of each business, but also have a conversation about revitalization in the area and about the urban design.”

Server Lydia Valladares at the Heatley. Image: Shawn O’Hara / Vancity Buzz

Over a dozen businesses will fill MakerLabs for Meet the Makers, including restaurants, breweries, coffee roasters, catering companies, wood workers and more. With the chance to talk one-on-one with property and business owners, and get a firsthand look at the work they’re doing, Kumagi hopes the event will generate conversations on the future of the area.

“We’re trying to make it as interactive and as [conversationally] generative as possible,” he says.

Steve Kozak and the West Coast All Stars at Pat’s Pub. Image: Shawn O’Hara / Vancity Buzz

Meet the Makers is the first event of its kind for the SBIA, but is part of the larger Made in Strathcona campaign. Kumagi says the campaign started as a way to let people know about the commercial enterprises, young and old, that make up the fabric of the neighbourhood.

“There are a lot of people who aren’t aware of the commercial district of Strathcona. It’s officially listen as residential,” he says.

Having a chance to talk to a property owner, businesses, co-crafting a vision and trying to stay ahead of that conversation. There’s an opportunities for people in the community to have their voices heard as well.

The businesses taking part in Meet the Makers include:

Admittance to Meet the Makers is free, but attendees should still register at Eventbrite for more information.