BUSINESSES TO KNOW in your city
Bopomo Pictures
Denis Barnard (left) & Ron Hornby (right)
Fun family photography for everyone
Clarkdale Volkswagen’s
Elayne Wandler, Owner
Denis Barnard, General Manager
My Vancouver
My Vancouver
What’s your favourite neighbourhood? Not so much a neighborhood, but the Seawall and Granville Island are my favourite places in Vancouver. What’s your favourite way to unwind? With a good workout — although not at the gym. Either a game of tennis, going for a bike ride, or recently I’ve started playing field hockey. What are your favourite stores or restaurants? Twist and Urban Rack are my favourite independent businesses for clothes. Kidsbooks because of their amazingly informed staff. Markus J Hair and Wellbeing for their warmth and energy as well as their commitment to give back. For casual dining or a great place to meet friends, I love the patio at the Sand Bar. West and now Hawksworth always provide a great dining experience. Most often though, we go to Cioppino’s or Lupo since I’m always in the mood for italian!
It’s great to watch your family grow over the years, and now there’s a convenient, friendly and affordable way to capture those moments more than once a year. Bopomo Pictures, a photo studio with a fresh approach and a social conscience, opened by Elayne Wandler over six years ago, provides just that. “I love my business because we get to watch our clients’ families grow over the years,” shares Wandler. “It’s also a great place for those interested in developing careers in photography to get amazing experience. It’s a happy place to go to everyday.” And the photographs are proof of that. At Bopomo they pride themselves in their ability to work with children and capture each child’s true personality. They have more than a few tricks up their sleeves to draw out the shy ones and capture great shots of the high-energy ones. “Our staff is incredibly patient and very creative,” their boss admits. Wandler is very excited about the recent launch of their digital packages - high-resolution images, proof books, a mobile app and online viewing gallery are now available as a stand alone offering. Other innovations in their product line include a collage wall with over 50 different layouts to suit any taste. “It takes minutes to hang and each picture can easily be swapped out as your family grows or changes. It’s a very cool product.” Besides excellent photography and customer service, Bopomo is proud to give back. They have contributed greatly to many childrenfocussed and family organizations in the lower mainland. This Christmas is their Second Annual Charitable Family Photo Event taking free family portraits in the Downtown Eastside, taking that happy feeling beyond the studio to those who need it most.
What I learned... about business Probably the biggest lesson is that no matter what barrier or obstacle you come across, you can always find some kind of a solution.
What’s your favourite neighbourhood? Main Street. What’s your favourite way to unwind? A spin in our 1973 VW Karmann Ghia. It’s a fantastic, old school head-turner. What are your favourite stores or restaurants? We have a list of all the local businesses for our customers. When they are in for service or need a few minutes to think about a car purchase, we like to send them to the local coffee shops or down to Splitz or Sawasdee for a bite. The local clothing shopping is also great.
For the past 50 years, Clarkdale Volkswagen has been an active community member on Main Street. “We’ve seen a lot of changes around us but there hasn’t been a more exciting time on Main Street than right now. Businesses are growing and thriving and we love being a part of it,” says Denis Barnard, Clarkdale Volkswagen General Manager. Clarkdale Volkswagen recognizes that their customers are generally hip and quirky. They see driving as an experience. They are active and very lifestyle focussed. Sounds like Main Street. “The Main Street crowd is very diverse — young families, single professionals, environmentally conscious and Volkswagen has a model for everyone. Many families love the Golf wagon, and the TDI is popular because of its fuel economy,” he says. Taking new clients for the perfect test drive is easy from their dealership. “We respect our neighbours and stay to the major roads — Main Street to 33rd, by Queen Elizabeth Park, up Cambie, over to Kingsway and back home. It’s a great way to see the community and all that is offers, while trying the vehicle in a city driving environment.” The dealership was originally a Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche store. Over the past 50 years they’ve grown, specialized and become a Volkswagen-only dealership, but their commitment to their community hasn’t changed a bit. “Since day one, we’ve been an active part of the Main Street community,” says Denis. “For example, Clarkdale Volkswagen has been proudly sponsoring the Riley Park Festival, Little Mountain baseball teams and General Brock and David Livingstone Elementary Schools.”
What I learned... about business It’s so important to be an active member of the community your business is in.
Reach us at address: 4575 Main Street toll free: 1.866.499.7990 web: clarkdale.ca
Reach us at address: 2631 West Broadway phone: 604.678.1411 web: Bopomo.ca
WEVancouver.com
September 27 – October 3, 2012
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