One reason why I love my work so much is the wide circle of entrepreneurs that I get to work with. Lucky me to work with Hal Merritt and Vanda Cooper who recently opened their Thriftopolis antique and thrift store in Port Coquitlam. Their tagline is Quality Thrift and Blasts from the Past, and what a blast I had.

As I entered the door, I saw a print of Queen Elizabeth on my right. Below it is a note from Queen Elizabeth. Here it is!

Vanda Cooper, who is in charge of jewellery at Thriftopolis, explained that this was an idea from a colleague, and they thought it was funny enough to post on the wall. I am sure Queen Elizabeth would be flattered.

Situated at 2579 Lougheed Highway, the store is 800 square ft full of interesting stuffs – almost like a history lesson. Vanda showed me a genuine hair bracelet. Apparently, in Victorian England, Hair jewelry became popular as both memorials for the dead and sentimental jewelry representing love, friendship or remembrance. Both men and women wore portraits of their spouse or betrothed, backed by the loved one’s hair. Men, especially, wore bracelets woven from their loved one’s hair and ended with gold clasps bearing ornamented hair.

Next thing that captured my eye is an unusual chair, and as Vanda explained to me, a gossip chair. The chair faces two directions, making it easy to turn one’s head to the next person for gossip. Again, this chair is a blast from the past. Gossip chairs were invented in France and later spread to other European countries.

Not to be outdone by Queen Elizabeth, I search for a bling to buy and fancied an antique jade pendant.  I later discovered that I was the FIRST CUSTOMER OF THRIFTOPOLIS. In fact, Vanda needed instructions to run the till. What fun! So here is my receipt as proof.

Next time you are near the Coquitlam area, do drop by Thriftopolis and say hello to Hal Merritt and Vanda Cooper.

Filed under: Business Profiles, Women in Business