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SIDE HUSTLE: CARNATION HALL CO
A NEW HOME & NAME FOR QUEEN STREET YOGA
ALEX KINSELLA STAFF WRITER
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Longtime downtown Kitchener yoga studio Queen Street Yoga has made a new home and a new name. Operating as The Branches at 9 Samuel St. near Frederick St., the studio’s owners are getting ready to reopen after months of pandemic-related lockdowns.
“I feel like everything has aligned in a pretty positive way. It was the right time to make a bunch of changes at once,” said Leena Miller Cressman, one of the co-owners at The Branches.
Cressman had been looking into developing the online offerings to reach new audiences before COVID-19. The pandemic and its rolling lockdowns were the sparks Cressman needed to get started.
“I was one of those people that thought this was going to be over in three weeks. I wasn’t ready to contemplate too many big changes,” Cressman said.
By the summer of 2020, some of her co-workers were starting to recognize that the return to normal would be delayed. That’s when discussions of getting out of their lease for the Queen St. space started.
“That was in April 2020 and I wasn’t ready to go there yet. But by the end of summer and into the fall, that’s when we started to really think about it,” added Cressman.
At first, Cressman and her partners were looking to end their lease and focus on an online business model until the pandemic ended. But fate struck, and they were presented with a property that matched the direction their studio was heading.
-LEENA MILLER CRESSMAN, CO-OWNER, THE BRANCHES
“When we set foot in the house, we were just in love with the possibility of it. It has outdoor space, it’s right in the heart of a neighbourhood, and we can run a commercial business there. It was a pretty neat opportunity to build a home for ourselves,” she said.
With a new space, the owners also chose a new name—The Branches—to represent their efforts to use yoga as a form of community care that can help tackle issues such as climate change and racism.
“It really felt like a huge opportunity, but also very daunting, because we have 16 years of name recognition in Kitchener-Waterloo,” said Cressman.
“We felt ready to say more clearly who we are and what our values are and we feel like ‘The Branches’ captures that more and can signify our ethics and our tone and our intention to our community that we want to be this welcoming place that reaches out and brings more people in.”
While the move to their new home is expanding their options for current members, their move online has reconnected them with members from the long history of Queen Street Yoga.
“We’ve been around for so long and there’s a lot of people who’ve been part of our community who have moved away and now they’ve reconnected with us. That’s been really special and also new folks joining us through word of mouth and through different things we’ve been doing online,” Cressman said.
You can find The Branches at their new home at 9 Samuel St. in Kitchener, or visit them online at thebranchesyoga.com. The former Queen Street Yoga has found a new home and a new name. DAVE KLASSEN PHOTO
THE ART OF THRIFTING WITH CARNATION HALL
Julia Spiegl and Andrew Rees offer thrifted products at Carnation Hall. RYAN ANTOOA PHOTO
THE SIDE HUSTLE
JENNA AQUINO COLUMNIST
Carnation Hall got its name when two people enriched by the art of romanticization saw opportunity in the petals of a symbolic gesture. The carnation is Julia Spiegl’s birthday flower, but it meant something more when Andrew Rees showed up with a bundle of them for their second date. Since then, the two visual artists have worked together to build a platform for their work. Through @carnationhallco, they now offer local thrifted products—and that’s only one layer of the couple’s overall vision.
“The name Carnation Hall kept on floating around in our heads, so we came up with an idea board and spent a lot of time mapping out what we thought it could be,” Spiegl said.
“We went on a drive with no destination in mind and ended up at the Listowel Florist shop … the couple who own it invited us upstairs to see their workspace and sift through some of their favourite items,” she said.
They simply wanted to create something they cared about, together. The decision to start with a thrift store started to take shape inside the charming attic of a local florist. Their fascination for the loveliness of that space inspired them to create something like it for themselves. That space became Carnation Hall.
“Once we had the idea to open our own thrift store, we started walking around our place and picking out pieces we thought we could sell. We’re both avid thrifters and we believe in not giving a lot of power to material things. We approached each item thinking, ‘Yes, this is a beautiful object, but we don’t need to have it in our house. Who else could enjoy it?’,” Spiegl said. “We find joy in sharing the beautiful things we find with those in our community.”
However, when it comes to the objects Rees and Spiegl collect, it’s never solely about beauty. The two invest time, research and energy into every find—including a chair manufactured by local landmark, Krug’s Furniture Company, for example. Their digging revealed that it had originally been manufactured for a charitable event in the early 2000s and that it’s actually the only one around. That’s just one of many nostalgic stories they’ve uncovered along the way.
“There is so much history in this area, it’s incredible. We find so much beauty in the items of the past. They don’t manufacture items like they used to. These items were truly made to last and to be durable and functional,” Spiegl said.
“We spend a lot of time restoring [items] to be as presentable as possible because we believe in old fashioned sentimentality and work ethic. I won’t ever feel comfortable giving something away or selling a product unless it’s absolutely worth the customer’s diamond,” Rees said.
After their first sale and a great deal of reflection, the couple decided to turn this passion project into their livelihood.
“I want to emphasize that this wasn’t a situation where we had a bunch of money saved up and just decided to jump into this thing. It was that I realized I wasn’t happy at work and there was something else I could do that I would love,” Spiegl said. “I’ve learned to go with my gut and now every day is so much fun.”
“For me—and I don’t mean this in a pessimistic way—I’ve been alive 30 years and have been working hard day in and day out for someone else. This year I thought, ‘If I’m going to be fortunate enough to live a long life, how else can I spend that time?’,” Rees said.
Carnation Hall has only been around for a month, so Spiegl and Rees are still finding the balance between putting time into their business and caring for themselves. They’re taking it slow and are always eager to receive feedback from customers and embrace the learning phase. Yet, brimming with passion, talent and the kindest intentions, the couple is already working toward a whole host of goals for the business.
“The vision is to own a physical storefront someday and to turn Carnation Hall into an umbrella company for a number of things we want to provide this community. We are a strong supporter of local businesses and this incredible area that we find ourselves in,” Spiegl said.
Some of their hopes for the future of the business include a community gathering centre and a publishing house for poetry, literature and art. They would also like it to become a space for creating and sharing music. They’re building something of a safe haven for old souls.
“We want Carnation Hall to become a refuge for artists of all different sorts. We imagine a quaint shop with cases full of books and couches where people can unwind while pursuing our collection of items and listening to vinyl spin,” Spiegl said. “All will be welcome—anyone who is kind, that is,” Rees said.
For now however, you can visit their shop on Instagram as well as their personal profiles, @ juliaseagullco and @byawgr, to learn more about their art. They will also be popping up at local markets as they return to the city, starting with Stanley Park Community Centre market on Jul. 1.
“Our advice for anyone on a similar journey to us is that it feels so good to start doing something for yourself, to fill your own pockets,” Spiegl said.
“Nothing is certain in life, especially in the world we’re in right now...we refuse to give it any more power than it already has. We would rather spread happiness and kindness and focus on the good things in life rather than the fearful and negative. Carnation Hall came to be out of love and a mindset of abundance,” she said.
THE STARS AND YOUR MOON
COSMIC RELIEF
ELFIE KALFAKIS
COLUMNIST
You probably know your sun sign, or perhaps that if you were born in December you’re either a Sagittarius or Capricorn. But did you know that’s only the tip of the iceberg of your cosmic makeup? In my opinion, the most fascinating part of astrology is its multidimensionality.
There are twelve archetypes in the zodiac wheel. Our natal chart is a diagram that shows the exact position of the constellations and planets at the moment and geographic location of your birth. Each sign highlights different aspects of your personality, suggesting we are all multidimensional beings with complex relationships to cosmic energies in the sky. At a glance, you may be intimidated by the diagram and, in truth, the complexity of astrology is endless.
Your sun sign speaks to the position of the sun in the zodiac wheel on your birthday. Astrolgically, it relates to the active, ego-centred, aggressive aspects of your personality which are traditionally referred to as the ‘divine masculine’. Your moon sign refers to your passive, subconsciously-centred and intuitive qualities. These are traditionally referred to as the ‘divine feminine’.
There are a lot of parallels between astrology and psychology. Your sun
As summer sets in and restrictions start to lift, it’s time for you to visit some of the best beaches within a less than a two-hour drive from downtown Kitchener. Whether you go for a swim on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Conestogo Lake or the Grand River, we’ve got you covered.
7 BEST LOCAL BEACHES IN WR
MARIANA BILBAO
CONTRIBUTOR
conestogo lake conservation area (44 min/54.5 km)
Surrounded by Mennonite farms and managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority, this area is home to a huge concrete flood control dam. The park is used for many activities including camping, power boating, hunting, sailing, water skiing, canoeing and fishing. The beach area has a playground for the little ones and parking close to the beach.
valens lake conservation area (32 min/37.2 km):
This man-made reservoir, located in the northwestern corner of Hamilton, was created around 1970 to control flooding and is a bass sanctuary. It includes a natural sandy beach, 10 km of trails, 300-metre wetland boardwalk and an observation tower.
shade’s mills conservation area (26 min/25.9 km):
Part of the Grand River Conservation Authority, Shade’s Mills has one of our favourite beaches! It is a little oasis sign refers to your ego and your moon sign your subconscious. The fact that most of us are widely familiar with our sun signs and less aware of our moon signs may speak to a collective relationship with the subconscious world, or the ’divine femininity’—a world that perhaps favours extroverted advancements. Yet our internal and intuitive processes are just as complex and important. Understanding your moon sign can help you understand how your inner world works. If you’re curious to calculate your moon sign there are many sites online to do so.
As we settle into Cancer season this month, a sign ruled by the moon, we can indulge in exploring our inner world. This month, give yourself a break from the hustle and surrender to the emotional, intuitive and subconscious. After all, developing a strong relationship with both the inner and outer world is one of the objectives of astrology. To help you navigate all the feelings you’ll likely have this month, here are some suggestions based on your moon sign, on how to connect with your divine feminine and nurture yourself and another cosmic playlist to put a spell on July.
To help you navigate all the feels you’ll likely have this month, here are some suggestions, based on your moon sign, on how to connect with your divine feminine and nurture yourself.
CANCER MOON
Take a long hot bath with your drink of choice while watching a sentimental drama.
LEO MOON
Dress up in your favourite costume or outfit and have a socially-distanced dance party with your friends.
VIRGO MOON
Sit in quiet contemplation for hours then journal or create something expressive with your findings.
LIBRA MOON
Decorate your home with things you find beautiful and have a heart-toheart chat with your closest friend.
SCORPIO MOON
Get out some tarot cards, wine, and candles and ruminate in the darkness for a few hours.
SAGITTARIUS MOON
Take a long hike with a friend then come home and watch an interesting documentary or learn a new skill.
CAPRICORN MOON
Organize your workspace, make some goals for the weeks to come and look over your finances.
AQUARIUS MOON
Have some nice chats and brainstorm sessions with friends on a patio and take some time to research interesting ideas online.
PISCES MOON
Meditate with some good music and indulge in something creative while having a good cry.
ARIES MOON
Play outdoors while doing something active and end the day off with a huge bonfire.
TAURUS MOON
Indulge in a luxurious self-care body treatment, make a delicious meal and connect with your sensual side.
GEMINI MOON
Share some good stories with friends over drinks, go for an explorative walk or drive then journal all about it.
Exploring local beaches is a great way to escape the heat in the summer months. Photos listed from left to right, Port Burwell and Guelph Lake. MARIANA BILBAO PHOTO
in the middle of Cambridge, which makes it perfect if you need amenities close by. The sandy beach is surrounded by two kilometres of trails and a wide green space with picnic tables. It’s ready for your outdoor adventures like swimming, fishing, hiking and canoeing.
port burwell provincial park (1 h 24 min/119 km):
Port Burwell has one of the most beautiful beaches on the northern shore of Lake Erie. It has a 2.5km stretch of sandy beach with an area designated for dogs, so if you have a fur baby, definitely check this one out!
port dover (1 h 17 min/95.3 km):
Well known for its palm trees and sandy beach, Port Dover is located in Norfolk County and is also on the northern shore of Lake Erie. It doesn’t have resort-like feels and can get very crowded but it’s definitely worth a visit. There is a parking lot directly off the beach and a charming small community with boutiques, restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops.
grand bend (1 h 29 min/121 km):
Grand Bend is the ultimate beach destination in Ontario! It’s known for the little town on Lake Huron and the sandy beaches that allow you to relax during the day and party at night. Summer definitely looks different around here with the new restrictions in place, but it still gets quite crowded during the warmer months. Lake Conservation Area that you can enjoy— a paradise just a few kilometres away from Waterloo Region. I highly recommend driving or biking around because this park seems endless with 1600 acres around a reserve created with the Guelph dam in 1974. The park also has picnic areas and during the two days I spent there, I saw people riding bikes, going for hikes, walking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, paddling, sailing, windsurfing and much more!
bonus!—kiwanis park and pool (right in kitchener!):
Kiwanis is a concrete beach—a lakelike pool located right in Kitchener and one of our favourite summer destinations. It reopened this year with limited capacity so you’ll need to purchase tickets online with three time slots available. That will definitely keep the park less busy. Dogs are welcome but not allowed in the water and there is an off-leash designated area close by.
Summer goes by fast and this year we’ve been given the opportunity to explore our own backyard and the beautiful golden sanded fresh water beaches there are in and around KW. Make sure you visit the official websites before you go to check on restrictions, entry fees, capacity limits and tips to help keep nature clean and safe.
Remember that all Ontario Provincial Parks remain free for day use, from Monday to Thursday until Sept. 2, 2021.
If you are looking for more fun things to do in the region, make sure you check my instagram account where I share fun things to do daily @ luso.canadiana.
