Perch: Issue 1

SITTING PRETTY. FEELING FINE.

Cover: Ryan Seale & Micheline Tremblay. Illustration, above: Pitt and 2nd.

Contents 3 THE REEL H umans, Highlights & Happenings

8 MEET THE NEIGHBOURS We sat down with f ive locals we admire to talk about what makes them tick. By Shannon Ferguson, Lauren McGill and Chantal Tr a n c h e m o n t a g n e

1 8 YA R D A G E S A L E F o r a n y o n e w h o l o v e s t e x t i l e s and the thrill of discover y, an enormous underground warehouse in Le Village is like a cave of hidden gems.

By Lauren McGill

21 PIECE OF THE PIE The stor y of how one local pizza franchise uses good ol’ customer ser vice and social media smar t s to compe te in Cor nw all’s tough piz za m a r k e t . B y S e b a s t i e n M a n i g a t a n d C h a n t a l Tr a n c h e m o n t a g n e

24 FRESH VIEWS We asked three ar tist s to reimagine derelic t spaces around the cit y. Featuring the work of J a cq u e li n e Mi l n e r, Pa t r i c k G ui n d o n a n d Er i n A sh le y

30 CONTRIBUTORS Meet the creative crew that brought Perch to life.

32 THE PERCH PUZZLER Sharpen your pencils and test your knowledge with this locally inspired crossword. By D o u g Ta i l l o n

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WELCOME TO PERCH

I’m not 100% sure what happened here. Two months ago, I sat on Esca’s patio drinking Prosecco and made the decision to publish a magazine. It would be passion project to celebrate the one-year anniversary of my small-yet-mighty marketing agency. It would also double as a love letter to our fair city.

After many years in the industry, I know magazine making is bloodsport. I’m so grateful to those who jumped into the ring with me. My sidekick Lauren, artists, photographers, illustrators, writers, editors, designers, one architect and even a crossword maker helped fight the forces of deadlines, bad luck, missing cats and, on occasion, that dastardly creative block. To them I am forever indebted. (Please turn to p. 31 to learn more about these Cornwall creatives.)

There are also the people we feature throughout these pages, those who generously shared how they live, work and play—artists, designers, foodies, performers, community leaders and business owners. You trusted us to tell your stories. Thank you.

I hope the pieces in this magazine will spark conversation, compell us to seek out the deeper human stories that surround us, and encourage us to find inspiration around every corner.

Enjoy Issue 1,

Ch a n ta l P.S. Got feedback? Email us at info@thinkbigcatch.com.

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The Reel HUMANS | HIGHLIGHTS | HAPPENINGS

Tracy Lynn Chisolm We See Thee Rise, 2017 Acrylic on Canvas 30 x 40

ALL EYES ON ART

Talented local artists are showing their passion for the craft and their community as they push forward with new opportunities to show their work and create new avenues for others to join them. Accessibility to visual arts is on the rise in Cornwall. And it’s never looked so good. For example, you may have noticed rotating exhibits of local artwork at City Hall. This is thanks to the Art of the City Program that was launched in April 2016. To date, 20 artists have showcased their work. (continued on p. 4)

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A L L E Y E S O N A R T (cont.)

I N S TA W A L L : F O U R T O F O L L O W —Laura Ellam

“Providing spaces for people to share their art form provides the maker with a place to be heard and an opportunity to finance their craft,” says artist Jacqueline Milner. (See some of her work on p. 24.)

Facilities around the city like Glen Stor Dun Lodge, businesses like Cardinal Law, and eateries like Schnitzels European Flavours and Stomping Grounds Bistro and Café have also invited the opportunity to bring visual interest to their walls.

“We think that food and art and culture go hand in hand,” says Phil Gilmour of Stomping Grounds. “We want to be part of the drive to put Cornwall’s best foot forward. Having Pierre Giroux’ paintings here allows us do that.”

Fresh new art spaces are on the rise, too. Cailuan opened its doors at 225 Pitt Street earlier this year. It sends out regular calls for exhibitors, hanging pieces from of a wide variety of artists.

And OBO Studios, a longstanding player on the art scene will soon open their doors at 204 Second Street East with room for a dedicated art gallery and a large studio for their growing roster of visual artists.

Also of note: there’s a marked uptick in the opportunities to make art alongside established artists in the city. The Grind hosts sketch nights; Cailuan welcomes artists of all levels to work on individual projects on Wednesday nights, in addition to regular sketching and art history classes; OBO continues to offer a range of high-quality workshops and classes.

Artists have long acted as the heart and soul of a place, documenting their surroundings and capturing the spirit of the times. Today, Cornwall feels a little more dressed up as artists find new public spaces to show their work.

The community can only benefit from the conversations that art can start.

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@thecouturecomplex @marlinorchards

@cArtforthemasses @emilyazcona

The city’s resident fashionista, Rebecca Pilon, documents her sharp sense of style mixed with her smalltown sensibility.

She hopes that her followers will be inspired by her outfits to find their own sense of custom couture.

This Instagrammer (identity unknown) travels the city hilariously documenting shopping carts in their natural habitat.

(Note to the secret snapper: If you’re ready to reveal your big, bad self, we’d totally love to hear from you!)

Alexandra Lunan of Marlin Orchards & Garden Centre, chronicles farm life and captures the beauty of their homegrown flowers, produce and other specialty products.

She also snaps actions shots of treats being made on site.

Never lost, always exploring, Emily Azcona’s photos capture her journey, one trip at a time!

The world is a beautiful place, and this local’s photos share the places she visits, friends she makes and memories she has made along the way.

B U S B OYS Jamie McLennan and Eric Chamois shows their hometown pride with their small, hip line of clothing and accessories called Pitt and 2nd.

Now residents of Ottawa, the pair source their products locally and intend on expanding their line of t-shirts, posters, prints, buttons, pennants and more. Tees: $35.

PITTAND2ND.CA

Tara Zaczyk is the goldsmith behind Crush Lane’s hip jewellery collections. Each piece is designed and crafted by her, drawing inspiration from pop art, fashion, music and interior design. Shop her growing collection on her website or in store at Echo Trends at 54 Pitt Street. Solitaire Ring with Bezel Set Cubics (top): $29, Arrow Ring with Cubics: $32 CRUSHLANE.COM

INDULGENCES Tasty treats and tantalizing tidbits can be found all throughout Cornwall. Here are a few worth trying.

MAPLE & VANILLA LATTE Creamy, frothy, maple-laced. What more do we need to say? $5.50 at The Mindful Cookery, 110 Pitt St.

CANNOLI This cream-filled pastry is the fastest way to get your taste buds to heaven. $4 at Cakes and More 1380 Second St. E. DRINKING, MID-MOD STYLE

B A R S TA R S From his home studio, Kevin Syndal carefully curates midcentury modern pieces to sell on his popular Etsy store, MidModTeakandMore. We especially love his eye for barware and his ability to find relevancy in the sleek designs and sensual lines of Scandinavian furniture and accessories.

Teak bar cart designed by Borge Mogensen, made in Denmark

by Soborg Mobler in the 1950s. $595.00. Clockwise from top: Carl Erickson old-fashioned, hand-blown crystal glasses, $19 each; Krosno Poland crystal extra heavy rock glasses, $12 each; Glo Hill Barmates stainless steel and Bakelite cocktail jigger and ice tongs, $29 for 4-piece set (incl. wine opener and bar knife); Vintage 1950s seltzer spritzer bottle, $95; Derby Shelton Silver Co. art deco etched cocktail shaker, $195; Mid-century modern teak ice bucket, $49; Mid-century silver ombre cocktail glasses with caddy (in the style of Dorothy Thorpe), $85.

MIDMODTEAKANDMORE.COM

PLAIN DONUT Who needs frosting or sprinkles when you can sink your teeth into these? $0.75 each at Riley’s Bakery, 248 Pitt St.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE Smooth, creamy treats in an assortment of decadent flavours.

Made locally! $8 for six.

Order by phone: 613-933-7040

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A COMPLETELY ARBITRARY LIST OF SHOUT-OUTS To Len Hooper for making Cornwall Transit rock. To Claude Regnier and his crew for bringing the Slalom Skateboarding Worlds to town. To Misty Mac for winning Miss Capital Pride 2017. To the law-abiding drivers, bikers and pedestrians for looking out for their neighbours. To Dan Drouin for making the BMX Park happen. To the women who run kick-ass online auctions for rekindling a love of vintage finds. To our friend Kelly at Code Heroes for pushing digital literacy forward. To the organizers of the Kinsmen Farmers’ Market for bringing the freshness. To Air Gliders trampoline club for getting everyone high. To the advocates and government planners for working to make our city more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. To Esca for being great neighbours and never running out of prosecco and positivity. To Serendipity Boutique for selling great fashion for an important cause. To St. Matthew School for being forward thinking with their Freshca food program and longboard club. To Chris from Life’s Little Pleasures for her loveliness and longevity in business.

To Maggie Wheeler for releasing her fifth novel. To Archie’s for bringing pond skating back. To Mike and Jenny’s Paddle Fit and Hybrid Marine for renting fun river gear. To the first responders for facing danger to keep us safe. To the social media sleuths for helping solve Cornwall’s most notorious crimes (and finding other people’s pets). To Kat Rendek for educating us all about sustainable food systems. To the organizers and volunteers for making fun, local events happen. To the performers for making us laugh, cry and sing along. To Lindale Shoes for stocking blue suede shoes. To Marrow and Spice for satisfying the clean eaters’ appetite for organic chicken feet. To the young entrepreneurs who blaze new trails. To the seamstresses, cobblers and other fixers for making old things new again. To the defenders of Lamoureux Park for understanding the value of green space. To the people who pay it forward for making our city a better place. Cheers to y’all.

M I X & M AT C H

Deep in the back room of Laura’s on Brookdale, you’ll find a bar stocked with premium olive oils and vinegars sourced from around the world. The owner of the fine food and gift boutique, Kim Sabourin, curates the selections and shares some of her faves. —Sebastian Manigat

1 . R E D C AY E N N E C H I L I This award-winning oil will hit your palate hard but

won’t overstay its welcome. The subtle heat is tailor-made for spice lovers. Try on: Meat lovers’ pizza.

2 . W H I T E C A S C A D I A N W I L D R A S P B E R R Y V I N E G A R So smooth, so

light, but yet so rich—this nectar barely registers as a vinegar. Feeling adventurous? Sprinkle a few drops in your next spritzer. Try on: Summer salad with berries and walnuts.

3 . T U S C A N H E R B A beautiful earthy aroma will transport you to the Italian coun-

tryside. The bouquet of this liquid gold will complement the fresh herbs in your next dish. Try on: Tossed arugula salad with lemon and parmesan.

4 . P U R E M A P L E B A L S A M I C Can’t get enough of our national treasure? This

vinegar is for you. Aged perfectly with a smooth finish, it marries the sweetness of maple perfectly with a tiny hint of acidity from the vinegar. Try on: Baked salmon, as a glaze.

5 . “ M E L G A R E J O ” H O J I B L A N C A E V O O Bold and robust is the best way to de-

scribe this product. Fragrant and packed with complex flavours, this oil is perfect to cook with or to douse on your favorite foods. Try on: Fresh mozzarella di bufala.

All oils and vinegars are available for puchase in three sizes: 200ml ($12.95), 375ml ($19.95) and 750ml ($29.95).

L AUR AS.CA

FILLING A KNEAD

Earlier this year, Rob Gratton baked every single recipe of Bread Baker’s Apprentice. He’s currently working his way through Flour Water Salt Yeast. A public servant for the feds, Rob bakes artisan bread to satisfy his interest in art and science. His most delicious loaves, in our opinion, incorporate spent grain from Rurban’s and Humble Beginnings Brewing Co. We look forward to the day that he opens his artisan bread bakery.

THE KIDS ARE KICKIN’ ASS

T H E N E X T- G E N It’s an exciting time to be young in the city. Fresh faces and strong talent are taking over spaces and places from Le Village to the downtown core. We salute the kids who are pushing the boundaries and taking no prisoners. —Alycia Douglass

CAMERON FORRESTER, 17 With only three years of experience under his belt, Cameron has already amassed an impressive body of work. He has done drone work for Vice, shot footage for MTV, made videos for Oris Watches, Ground Soap, the City of Cornwall and countless other local businesses. Next year, he’ll be off to Ryerson to study filmography and after that, he’ll take over the world.

ISHA WAHEED, 13 With only two years of boxing, Isha has become a fierce competitor in youth boxing. With some big wins (and few losses) under her belt, she has no plans of slowing down.

She hopes to someday compete in the Olympics. Along with her two talented brothers, she trains at Champs Eastside Boxing Club, home to prizefighter Tony “The Lightning” Luis.

ABBY JURCHUK, 17 Since she started weightlifting seven years ago, Abby has competed at the national level, most notably earning a silver medal at the Canadian Junior Championships earlier this year. A member of the Cornwall Weightlifting Club, she is passionate about shattering the stereotypes of females in sport.

NOEL CAMPBELL, 19 We first discovered this young cellist from Alexandria playing at Eight Zero Zero this summer. While he has made a name for himself playing gigs in the area, he made his biggest splash in Virtuose, a Radio-Canada TV series in which young musical virtuosos from across Canada competed for the title of best musician. Noel currently studies Cello Performance at McGill.

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Meet the Neighbours EVERY DAY, WE WALK AMONG PEOPLE WHO HELP DEFINE THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH THEIR PERSONALITIES, PROJECTS, AND PASSIONS. WE SAT DOWN WITH FIVE LOCALS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MAKES THEM TICK.

BY SHANNON FERGUSON,LAUREN MCGILL AND CHANTAL TRANCHEMONTAGNE Portraits by jason mcnamara 9

THE SEEKER Fifteen months ago, Chef Mark Currier stared down his last drink. Now, after lots of soul searching and a little help from his friends, he’s finally finding his way back by rekindling his love of food and foraging.

When Mark Currier walks through Guindon Park, he is deliberate, intense and meditative. He is able to carry a conversation but it’s obvious he’s distracted. He is on scan mode, looking for nature’s prizes: mushrooms nuts, berries, roots, leaves, basically anything you can eat raw, cook up, or ingest safely in one form or another. Think ash bolettes or chanterelle mushrooms, highland cranberries, hazelnuts, wild carrots or cattails.

Mark fell in love with wild food after being offered a cattail heart.

“When I bit into it, I couldn’t believe how delicious and nutritious it was,” he says. “And then I found out how abundant and sustainable it was. It blew my mind and changed how I cooked.”

He started his own adventures in foraging about five years ago while working as Executive Chef at Mariposa Farms in Plantagenet, a must-stop spot for locavores, foodies and chefs. He spent his all his free time walking in the woods searching for edibles and then paired these with the farm’s offerings for their famous

Sunday lunches where he took his love of food to the next level. To wit: he was given the freedom to create menu items like foie gras with pickled honey mushrooms and crostini; squasheucalyptus-peppercorn crème brulé; and wild boar striploin with hempseed arugula pesto. On the surface, this young chef had it all: quiet solitude, creative freedom in the kitchen, and the very best ingredients from the farm and forest.

Despite being at the top of his professional game, Mark was careening towards his bottom. The effects of an unrelenting 15-year drinking habit weighed heavy on him.

When his best friend died tragically in 2012, the sorrow unhinged a faster pace of drinking and drugging.

Fast forward to 2016 when he found himself on Highway 2 outside of Long Sault, carrying everything he owned in a small duffel bag, in February’s bitter cold, without a job, without money, without a place to stay and, in his mind, without hope.

A fateful call to a trusted friend led him to the hospital, counselling, a sponsor and Alcoholics Anonymous,

where he unravelled the strings of his addiction and started piecing together a healthier life.

“I had to let everything go and that included all the fear, pain and shame that I felt for so many years,” he confesses.

“And I had to trust that I could learn to live life like a normal person.”

Mark says he’s found his way by being faithful to his program, embracing self-forgiveness, enjoying longdistance runs and going back to his love of food. Today, you’ll find him quietly running Farm + Forest, offering small-batch, handcrafted foraged food preserves, and working downtown at The Mindful Cookery, quietly creating culinary delights that make him and the customers happy.

Mark’s new life now churns at a markedly quieter pace than in previous years, but if you get the chance to watch him walk the forest in search for his treasures, you’ll see he is happy. And you’ll understand that he’s exactly where he needs to be.

—C.T.

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THE MAKER Niio Perkins in finding a place for traditional Indigenous aesthetics in pop culture through her use of brilliant colours and delicate raised beadwork.

When Niio Perkins opens a blue velvet case, she reveals a stunning necklace, constructed with traditional raised beadwork. It is her handiwork, and she is proud to watch people run their fingers admiringly over her pieces.

The infusion of colour on her beaded bow ties, showstopping necklaces and embellished dresses have an effortless vibe and vibrancy to them, reminiscent of beauty found in the natural world.

The 36-year-old Akwesasne resident explains her palettes aren’t calculated, but rather the product of an intuitive understanding of what is pleasing to the eye. She is also known for skillfully blending different bead finishes— matte and shiny, sparkly and dull— with more organic materials that give each piece texture and depth.

“Before beads, our elders used natural elements: bone, shell, stone, wood and leather,” she says. “I always try to incorporate these into my work.”

Niio learned to bead on the lap of her beloved ishta (mother), Elizabeth Perkins, a master seamstress and traditional clothing designer. But she really took to the craft at age 25, when she started carving out her personal design aesthetic and taking her talent seriously. She has been on a continued quest to hone the look of her pieces, which she calls a mix of contemporary and traditional. Her designs feel fresh and fascinating, yet are still rooted in

Haudenosaunee design. Her Emma dress recently toured with the Native Fashion Now! exhibit, the largest-scale traveling exhibition of contemporary Canadian and American First Nations fashion. The show culminated this September with a showing at the Smithsonian in New York City. Emma went on to the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles after they purchased it for their permanent collection.

Another one of her pieces, a complete Wampum dress, now lives at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. She also had the pleasure of dressing 23-year-old Raven Swamp of Kahnawake, crowned 2017 Miss Indian World in April of this year.

“Some of our elders say that there is no place for traditional aesthetics in the contemporary world,” says Niio.

“My culture is not for sale but I do think there is a place for traditional indigenous aesthetics in pop culture.”

Niio’s full Mohawk name is Niioieren, meaning “Look What She Did” and the significance cannot be overlooked. She is decidedly one of the region’s rising stars in the fashion world as she brings a Native aesthetic to the contemporary world. Look for her new clothing line, set to launch in 2018, and check out the pop-up shops she has planned for downtown Cornwall. —L.M & C.T. 13

THE LOVE R S Chris Thompson and Lesley Lang and bridging the gap —in more ways than one.

What happens when two passionate community builders find each other and fall in love? More passion, baby.

And speaking of babies… one of those too.

Lesley Lang and Chris Thompson met professionally in the summer of 2014.

Lang was interviewing Thompson for a board position at the Cornwall Futures Development Council, where she was a board member.

At that first meeting, Chris remembers Lesley asking him, in reference to the CFDC, “You are a busy man, so how do you intend to make time for us?” With feelings for Lesley, he chose to interpret the question on a more personal level and responded, “I can always make the time for things I am passionate about.”

It took three more years before the two became a couple. But once they expressed their feelings for one another, it was like two freight trains colliding, says Lesley. Chris likes to call it “movie love”. Within a few short months in the spring of 2017, the two had moved in together, announced their engagement… and her due date.

In talking with this local power couple, it’s clear that their relationship is built on passion. Passion for each other, but also for their communities.

Lesley, currently the Executive Director for the CFDC and Chris, Director of the Office of Economic Development for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, are both strong advocates of more collaboration between Cornwall and Akwesasne and encourage local leaders to embrace 14

regional inclusion. With that in mind, they worked together to launch the Cross Border Partnership program in January 2017, a roundtable initiative designed to encourage dialogue and trust between between Akwesasne and the municipalities that surround it.

They are realistic about the challenges of bringing these two communities together. But they are both hopeful about the possibilities moving forward.

Building on a foundation of love and mutual respect puts these community builders at a distinct advantage.

They are able to use intimate knowledge of their respective communities to help each other address professional obstacles.

“Our relationship makes large obstacles smaller,” Lesley says. “We’re able to offer each other advice and insight on how to handle a difficult situation or understand where feelings expressed in a boardroom meeting might be coming from.”

Another advantage of being partners professionally and personally is what Lesley described as “a fluid blend of work and life.”

“Economic development is something you live. It’s not something you turn off when you get home at night,” explains Chris.

On their own and together, Lesley and Chris have already accomplished much in their careers. But the best is yet to come for these two—and soon to be three. —L.M.

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THE PERFORMER This is the fierce Joa Gamelin.

Hear her roar—and perform—all the way through menopause.

At first glance, it may seem as though the most vibrant thing about Joa Gamelin is her fabulously eccentric wardrobe.

“It’s about being confident about who you are,” says Joa, adorned with a chic gray dress hugging her tiny figure and fabulous opal cluster earrings.

With a background in design and a passion for being creative, Joa was born and raised in Cornwall and set out into the world at the young age of 20. She landed in Toronto where her talents merged with the big city where she soon she exploded onto the entertainment scene. Over the course of almost three decades in Toronto, she made a name for herself in the worlds of film and design, building a hefty resume of credentials in set designing, art directing and acting.

Her big break came when she was asked to design the set of the Tragically Hip’s 1992 music video Locked in the Trunk of a Car; it went on to win Best Video of the Year at the MuchMusic Video Awards and was also nominated

for a Juno Award. It was a golden time in her life.

“From the Hip, I went back into acting, did feature films and tons of commercials.” She played the part of a wedding gown designer in the film Mrs. Winterbourne, starring Shirley MacLaine, and was featured in several commercials including ones for Bell Canada, Canada Trust and Sears.

But acting wasn’t everything, she says. “[It] was okay but it was a hard road,” she explains as she describes her successful Toronto-based comedy, The Judy Jet Show (1996-99).

It’s been almost a decade since Joa returned to Cornwall and she created Menopause and the Drive-Thru this past summer, a one-woman comedy show detailing the triumphs of going through the change of life.

Making people laugh was one of her goals but she also wanted to create a real and open dialogue around women’s bodies. The uplifting cabaret-

style piece celebrated women and poignantly addressed the freedom that comes with, what Joa describes as, “the stage when women become equal to men”.

While it sounds like a messy subject, Joa kept her audiences engaged and in stitches—men included— using humour to explain the oftenstigmatized taboo of menopause while shining a new light on this mostly hidden part of a woman’s life.

Originally, she had planned on playing just one show but it sold out in just four days and received widespread acclaim across the city. She scheduled a second. That one sold out as well.

“My dream is to be the Madonna of Menopause,” Joa announces confidently as she describes her goals of taking the show nationwide. She understands how her life’s many conquests led her to this point. And she can’t wait for the future.

“This is what I was meant to do. It took menopause to get here”. —S.F.

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Yardage Sale Nestled in the heart of Le Village lives an enormous underground warehouse. For anyone who loves textiles and the thrill of discovery, this place is like stumbling into a cave of hidden gems.

BY LAUREN MCGILL

To get deep into the belly of Giroux’ Wholesale, Manufacturing and Liquidation Centre at 402B Montreal Road, you first have to make your way down a set of slightly off-level stairs.

It’s a disorienting experience that prepares you for the full-on sensory overload waiting around the corner.

Bolts of raincoat fabrics run on for 25 feet. Heavy duty vinyls, brocades, upholstery, wools, cottons, flannels, satins, knits, you name it, it’s here in abundance. Boxes of buttons, lace, and notions sit precariously on top of the industrial shelving units, piled so high that shoppers must crane their necks to check out the options.

Bins of bra-making supplies—curved underwire, bust cups and stretchy straps in every width—bust out from metal display bins. Another hallwaylike section is filled with thousands of

zippers, organized in a system that only the employees understand. And, as if there wasn’t enough going on already, there are hundreds of vintage industrial sewing machines tucked in and around the 10,000-square-foot two-story space. It’s quite the contrast from the tidy retail store up the road.

Let’s just say that this is not a place for anyone with even the mildest case of claustrophobia.

It would be easy for the uninitiated customer to feel overwhelmed by their first visit to the cavernous warehouse.

The windowless, maze-like setup and towering aisles of fabric can daze and confuse the most seasoned of fabric hunters. But after one’s eyes adjust to the dim lighting and begin to make sense of the obscure organizational system, a world of opportunities unfolds. Items that simply can’t be

found in traditional sewing centres await at every corner. A dark purple zipper with a heart-shaped metal pull to finish a pouch? Check. Industrial seatbelting to sew as handles on a duffel bag? Check. Thick 100% wool coating in a bold checkered print?

Check. Flannel-backed satiny lining to line that coat? All available at a great price? Check.

The man behind this wonderful madness is proprietor Paul Giroux, a 64-year-old mustachioed sewing machine mechanic who was raised around fabric. His mother was— and, now in her 90s, still is—a gifted seamstress who sewed all the costumes for her store, Giroux Costume Shop. Paul purchased his inventory over many years at auctions in Quebec and Ontario. When the factory producing Christina swimsuits 19

closed, he filled six 53-foot trucks to haul home all the lycra and sewing machines he could buy. He capitalized on the closing of three Hush Puppy plants in Malone, New York state and a relocated Rawlings plant by stocking his shelves with high-quality leather.

He got his hands on bolts of velvet car upholstery when the General Motors plant in St. Therese, Quebec relocated. When Button Craft in Montreal shuttered, he bought tens of thousands of buttons. His delightful

to the corner of the warehouse to pull it from, all while filling you in on the history of when and where the materials came from.

treasure hunt for the best fabrics and notions has filled his space to the brim and offered the same moments of serendipity to his customers.

lucrative eBay store. Two full-time employees tend to it. They ship items all over the world—big bolts of fabric to small sewing machine parts and even odd inventory like the small cigarette snuffer Paul once sold to a Saudi Arabian prince.

Mercifully, Paul and his warehouse staff know their stuff. From the fibre content to the backstory, they can fill in all the details about almost every textile or notion. If you ask for supplies to reupholster your sailboat cushions, for example, the staff will expertly recommend the right outdoor fabric and trim, and can guide you

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The people who weave their way through these aisles might be seamstresses, upholsterers, makers, fashion designers, interior designers, textile artists, or anyone who might appreciate the eclectic and quality selection. For those who can’t make it to Cornwall, Giroux’ also has a

Despite the success of his warehouse and fabric store up the street, Paul laments the decline of the industry. He has witnessed many Canadian manufacturers moving their operations abroad, watched the in-

terest in home sewing free fall as the fast fashion trend grew, and he seems especially saddened by the dwindling numbers of talented seamstresses he sees.

But his love of the industry has never waned. Paul can’t help but inspect the construction techniques on a customer’s clothing, quickly commenting on an unusually short zipper fly on someone’s pair of jeans or the sleeve construction of their blouse.

His whole face lights up when he describes, in detail, the weave of new fabrics on the market and he’s more than happy to diagnose a fabric’s fibre content by flicking a flame to a small swatch and smelling the smoke.

If you’re lucky enough to visit the warehouse when Paul is there, you not only get to hunt for fabric treasures but also get swept up in the excitement and experience of an industry master.

The story of how a one local pizza franchise used good ol’ customer service and intuitive social media smarts to compete in Cornwall’s tough pizza market.

BY SEBASTIEN MANIGAT & CHANTAL TRANCHEMONTAGNE (WITH SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT KEVIN LAJOIE)

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“ 2 5 Y E A R S AG O A L L I H A D WA S A B O DY W I T H A S O U L A N D N OW H ER E TO G O. L I F E C H A N G ED W H EN M Y PA R EN T S D E C I D E D T O S E N D M E T O C A N A D A , A G R E AT C O U N T R Y

On Christmas Day 2016, Mayuran Mano posted on the page for “Restaurant Reviews in Cornwall, Ontario”, a Facegroup group with 5,000+ members with strong tastes and even stronger opinions. His message wasn’t long but he wished everyone a happy holiday, and reminded them that 241 Pizza would be open from 11am to 3am. He signed off with this line: “If you’re short of [sic] money or have no money, please walk in for free food.” Though nobody probably realized it at the time, Mano had extended this generous offer to those in need every year for the past 15 years.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN In the early 1990s, when he was seven years old, Mano immigrated to Canada from Point Pedro, Sri Lanka, the most northernmost point in the country. He left behind a civil war that ravaged his native country.

In 1996, he started Grade 9 at CCVS. Aside from the regular high school shenanigans every teenage boy encounters, he fondly remembers that

W I T H P EO P L E W H O W E LC O M E D M E A N D G AV E M E E V E RY O P P O R T U N I T Y TO S U C C E E D I N L I F E . N O W I H AV E E V E RY T H I N G A M A N C A N D R E A M F O R .”

— M AY U R A N M A N O , F A C E B O O K P O S T, O C T O B E R 9, 2 0 1 7

241 Pizza, corner of Sydney and 9th, figured greatly in his teenage years.

“We were there all the time,” he says.

“Two slices and a pop for $2.50!,” he says. “You can’t beat that!” (By many accounts, anyone growing up in Cornwall in the 1990s shared the same enthusiasm for the joint.)

When he transferred to General Vanier High School, he met his wife, Vita.

They became an item and married soon after graduating in 2000. Though the newlyweds both wanted to attend St. Lawrence College, money was tight so only Vita was able to enroll in the Business Administration program. To keep them afloat, Mano worked as a dishwasher at Nickels.

Vita finished her studies and eventually became an accountant, while Mano worked his way into saving a nest egg that eventually allowed him to buy the haunt that figured so prominently in his teenage years.

The franchise, first opened in 1992, transferred ownership to Mano in 2004. The father of two—a boy, Mathusahan, 12 and a girl, Majuri, 14—is deeply grateful for his fateful rise to success.

“I came from nothing and now I feel so lucky,” he says.

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THE SOCIAL SCENE Mano has consistently posted on Facebook (both on the 241 Pizza business page and his personal account which remains open for all to see). His sincerity is striking. He is quick to apologize for downed online ordering systems, the rare occasion when customers aren’t pleased with the service, or any mistakes perceived or real. He seems on a quest to make things right. And he shows a tremendous concern for others which has helped build his business with loyal fans. The Facebook testaments are proof: “Just wanted to let you know you’re an awesome owner man! I was getting pizza off you since I was 8 yrs old!”

“Had 241 tonight. Great service and a nice chat. Thanks Mano. Keep doing what you do, man.”

“Thank you Mayuran Mano for being so wonderful to your customers.”

BUILDING THE BIZ In a town where classic Montrealstyle pizza is revered, pizza joints are legendary, and new restaurants are offering oven-fired options, Mano has managed to take a chain and build an impressive following. Compared to the thick-crusted, sauce-laden, 2-inch-pepperoni-and-cheese topped ‘zas from the classic restaurants (like Louis’, North End, Riverside, Olympic and Cornwall BBQ), or the delightfully charred pies from

H O W T H E Y S TA C K U P We took a highly unscientific approach and rated the classics against the (relative) newcomer. Here’s our assessment.

Schnitzel’s or Esca, 241’s items don’t exactly rise above the rest. But they sell consistently because they’re affordable, quick and consistent. But more than that, Mano’s formula for success is solid: Keep positive. Always try to be better. Build and tend to your social media audience with care.

And innovate. (Late last summer, he started offering a crustless Keto pizza which sold 100 units in the first two days.)

MAKING MOVES Earlier this year, to the surprise of many, Mano purchased 241’s next door neighbour, The Glengarrian Pub and Restaurant.

“I know nothing about bars, I mean I don’t even drink,” he admits.

“But once my wife got a look at the books, we realized this was a good opportunity for us and our family.”

Some of the regulars grumbled and expressed skepticism. They worried that their beloved institution would decline. But Mano brought his brand of conviviality to his latest venture, and now, six months in, is quick to acknowledge the people who have stayed the course with the new management.

“The amount of appreciation we get from you is priceless and we will continue to do thing to make The Glen visit your best experience,” he said in a recent Facebook post. He went on to thank each and every member of the staff, who he consider his family.

CORNWALL CLASSICS

241 PIZZA

AMBIANCE

10

2

OVERALL TASTE

10

7

GREASE FACTOR

10

4

SLICE SIZE

5

11

HOLDABILITY

7

9

DIGESTIBILITY

0 (!)

9

DOUGH BALL/ TABLE/NOTHING

TABLE

1”

1/8”

1/2”

1/16”

CUSTOM

BARELY THERE

CENTRE CHEESE THICKNESS PEPPERONI THICKNESS SAUCE

“Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

ONWARD AND UPWARD Mano says he has no intentions of rushing to build an empire of properties but he will continue to look for good opportunities to better his lot.

No matter what allegiance you have pledged to your favourite pizza parlour (or Scottish pub, for that matter), it would be hard not to cheer and support for Mano. After all, everyone likes an underdog.

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Fresh Views WE ASKED THREE ARTISTS TO REIMAGINE A F E W D E R E L I C T S PAC E S A R O U N D T H E C I T Y. H E R E ’ S W H AT T H E Y CAME UP WITH.

24

Pitt Street alleyway, south of Alpins Interiors

“If I had unlimited resources at my disposal I would happily bring this space back to life by taking away the asphalt, then adding natural plant additions: trees, shrubs, climbing vines and perennials.

I ’d i n s t a l l t r e l l i s e s to accommodate vines and nesting birds, and add paving stones to encourage local foot traffic. The goal would be to have a little green oasis for visitors, (people, pollinator s, birds) and residents to thrive a n d e n j o y.”

—J a c q u e l i n e M i l n e r, visual artist 25

Bridge piers, former Seaway International Bridge

“Thinking about Cornwall and the untapped potential of the bridge pillars and waterfront, I knew that the entirety of the piece needed to be bold, vibrant and fun. I thought it would be exciting to have a full-on adventure pod happening: a water slide, rock climbing wall and glass elevators. And that p a t t e r n? I t h i n k i t ’s j u s t d e l i c i o u s .”

—Patrick Guindon, illustrator 26

27

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Undevelopped property, corner of Edward and Cotton Mill Street

“I imagined this property as a mixed-use development with commercial businesses to liven the street edge and add to the communit y ’s resources. Awnings and signage could dress up the storefronts. The top floors would feature residences.

Building out the entr y way at the front of the building would result in a new terrace space f o r t h e t o p f l o o r, a n amenity that would help demarcate the residential entrance.

The crowning glor y is the rooftop terrace that allows dwellers to soak up the river v i e w s .”

— E r i n A s h l e y, architect 29

ILLUSTRATION: DOUG TAILLON 30

ERIN ASHLEY is an architect

SHANNON FERGUSON heads

SEBASTIEN “MANI”

A L L I S O N S T. L O U I S w o r k s

and Cornwall native who

up Rhoice Marketing and

M A N I G AT i s t h e F o u n d e r &

for Parks Canada and flexes

now lives in Dartmouth,

has been championing The

Director of the Seaway Food

her creative muscles by

Nova Scotia.

Nationals hockey team as

Festival. He brings local

making chalkboard art.

t h e i r m a r k e t i n g d i r e c t o r.

foodies together via events

rhoicemarketing.com

such as Res t aur ant Week

D O U G TA I L L O N i s a m o d e r n

and Summer Beer Fest.

r e n a i s s a n c e m a n . B y d a y,

s eawayfoodfestival.com

he works at a grocery store

T R A C Y LY N N C H I S O L M i s a visual artist and co-owner of OBO Studios.

CAMERON FORRESTER is a

h t t p : // b i t . l y / 2 f X r i p j

man/kid with serious talent.

(where he’s known for

If you want to know what

JASON MCNAMAR A runs

singing on the intercom); by

A LY C I A D O U G L A S S i s a

he’s good at , read about

Framed Photography in

night, he creates crosswords

music blogger and local

m o r e a b o u t h i m o n p . 9.

Cornwall. Jason is known for

(he’s been published in the

news reporter with a

@forresterfilms

d r a m a t i c , s o m e t i m e s m o o d y,

N e w Yo r k T i m e s ) .

passion for 60 ’s and 70 ’s

images and has worked with

Classic Rock.

PAT R I C K G U I N D O N i s a n

Juno-winner K arl Wolf and

C H A N TA L

rockandrollnomad.blogspot.ca

i l l u s t r a t o r, s u r f a c e d e s i g n e r,

p r o f e s s i o n a l b o x e r To n y

T R A N C H E M O N TA G N E i s

writer and maker who

Luis. He is also the regular

the boss lady at Big Catch

L AUR A ELL AM worked as

lives with his family and

lensman for Paleoethics.

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d e d i t o r-

the main people wrangler

chickens on an old farm near

f r a m e d p h o t o g r a p hy. c a

in-chief of Perch. She loves

for Summer Beer Fest.

Ingleside. He also moulds

Rumour has it she might be

minds at Roxmore Public

L AUREN MCGILL is the

city and long walks in the

studying real estate. “Sold!”

School, where he teaches

Creative Coordinator at Big

Adirondacks.

is her new favourite word.

language, math and visual

Catch Communications. A

thinkbigcatch.com

art.

fervent coffee addict, she

patrickguindon.com

has recently discovered the

M I C H E L I N E T R E M B L A Y,

joy of gin. thinkbigcatch.com

former Cornwall kid, has

s n a p p y c o p y, c y c l i n g i n t h e

b e e n a g r a p h i c d e s i g n e r, a r t JACQUELINE MILNER

director and typesetter for

is a multi-media visual

the past 20 years. Lately she

artist, photographer and

has been diverting some of

environmentalist whose

that artsy love and attention

ra iso n d’être is inspire d by

to sad, neglected furniture.

her care and concern for

farmfreshvintage.com

f a m i l y, c o m m u n i t y a n d h e r reverence for all life.

T I M A N D DA RY N WA N T U C K

j m i l n e r. c o m

are the owners of D e s i g n Tw i n , a n O t t a w a -

R YA N S E A L E i s a l e g i t t e a m

based graphic design agency

player who owns Seale

with several Cornwall

Strategies, where he helps

clients. These identically

loc al businesses re-think

creative brothers are

and refresh the way they do

typography lovers and brand

business with digital tools.

makers.

sealestrategies.com

@designtwin

31

THE PERCH PUZZLER

BY DOUG TAILLON

32

Allison St. Louis Feel the Love, 2017 Chalk art 24” x 48”

THINKBIGCATCH.COM 34

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