Checking in with Mr. Tyee – in his own words

I’ve finally realized what’s been missing and amiss in Tyee Plaza.

The Mr. Tyee carving, created in 2003 Chad Mergaert as part of the annual Driftwood Carving competition, has been moved. He’s now perched (tyee – fish – perch – get it?!) in front of the Java Shack. It’s handy for him when he doesn’t have time in the morning to make his lunch or grab coffee before settling into his location for another day’s work. But let’s hear from Mr. Tyee directly, shall we? I caught up with him recently and introduced myself as a local writer and generally nosy person.

The first thing he shares is, “I miss being in front of the laundromat. I got to know the lottery and laundry regulars. There was always something going on, especially when Super Valu was still open. But, really, it’s not too bad here. The Java Shack staff tell me what their soup of the day is every morning so I can let customers knows before they’re even inside. You can’t get much better customer service than that, can you?”

Mr. Tyee pauses for a moment as the afternoon walk-on ferry crowd headed for Quadra trot by.  “Just wait,” he whispers to me. I wonder what’s going on.

“Hi, Mr. Tyee,” says one person.

“See you in the morning,” says another.

“Looking good, Mr. Tyee,” comments a third person, as she smiles at us both.

The crowd thins for the moment and Mr. Tyee continues.

“People are so kind. I know I’m looking a bit worse for the wear these days – the rain takes its toll – but I’m still a darn good ambassador for the plaza.”

“Another thing I miss, now that I’m not as front an centre as I used to be, he says with a sigh, is being so close to Logger Mike. He’s grouchy a lot of the time but we get along pretty well,” confides Mr. Tyee.

We have figured it out though says the wooden status, putting his hand (fin?) into his pocket and pulling out a cell phone. We’ve each got one. It’s handy because Shopper’s sells the phone cards. This way we can keep in touch, he said.

We keep each other up to date with what’s going on in our neighborhood, explained my wooden friend.

I’m just about to ask Mr. Tyee if I can buy him a snack when his phone rings.

“It’s gotta be Mike, nobody else has my number, not even my mom. Excuse me,” says Mr. Tyee, ever polite.  He answers his phone with a flourish.

“How’s it hanging, Mike? I’m being interviewed.” There’s silence for a moment as Mr. Tyee listens.  “You’re not the only media star around here you know,” boasts Mr. Tyee. I can hear Logger Mike’s expletives through the phone. Mr. Tyee rolls his eyes and I turn away in case Mike hears me giggle.

“Keep your axe on. I’m not horning in on anybody’s territory. She’s lovely to talk to  and I’m having fun. Bug off. I’ll talk to you later.” Mr. Tyee hangs up his phone.

“Sorry to have caused problems with Logger Mike,” I say.

“Don’t worry. His language is rather ripe but deep down, he’s got a heart of gold. He’ll be fine in ten minutes.”

“I should head off anyway. I’ve got more than enough for my story, Mr. Tyee. Thank you very much for your time. I’ve always wanted to meet you”, I say.

“Just a minute, before you go,” he says, scribbling a series of numbers onto the corner of my notebook. With a glance I see it’s Mr. Tyee’s cell phone number.

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What time is it, Mr. Tyee?

I’ve noticed that the clock in the Tyee Plaza has said 6:20 since before Christmas. As my dad would say, it’s right twice a day! But for those non-watch wearers amongst us who are downtown at times other than exceedingly early in the morning or during the dinner hour, it’s a tad  frustrating.

Maybe Mr. Tyee can put in the good word for those of us who like to know what time is it when we’re downtown and speed up the process of having it fixed?

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Super Valu doors now shut

It was a sad day yesterday when I noticed from my balcony that the open sign at Super Valu was turned off by dinner time.  Tyee Plaza now has one less tenant and downtown isn’t the same this morning.

Best of luck to Dave and his staff.  Thank you for consistently friendly service. You’ll be missed.

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Businesses on the move

H and R Block has moved from the Pier Street area to a new location across from the Super Valu end of Tyee Plaza, in the former Academy of Learning.

You’ll soon be able to trot on over to True Blue Pet Supplies’ fresh location in Tyee Plaza. Follow your nose to the old Intersport space.

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Campbell River Business Buzz

I’m amazed at the evolution of businesses in Campbell River. The community may have a relatively small population but don’t let that fool you for a second. We’ve got businesses for sale, new ones opening, and established businesses undergoing changes. There’s lots happening. Here’s what has caught my eye recently:  

Being the voracious reader that I am, I have to start with Ruth and Trevor McMonagle’s newest addition to our bookstore choices in town.  Stillwater Books and Art, located on Shoppers Row between the libary and Photo Tech, celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, July 11. It attracted piles of bookophiles. Open 10am to 6pm, Stillwater is a gem. Their website is www.stillwaterbooksandart.ca. Phone them at 250-850-3103. Stay tuned for more on this new business in future posts here at eZABU.com.

Plaza Bakery has undergone a name change. It’s now known as Christie’s Place. I’m hoping the vanilla slices will continue to satisfy my sometimes-indulged (!) sweet tooth.  

The Galaxy Theatre, beside Christie’s Place on 10th Ave., is for sale through Roy Grant of Coast Realty. Admission is currently $7.95 for all seats. If a home is ever needed for the popcorn popper….. 

And of course there’s the newly started construction of the 152,000 square foot Walmart across from Home Depot on the highway. Currently scheduled for opening next spring, it’s going to be larger than the Courtenay location and will offer a full grocery department in addition to the usuals.

New to Campbell River is Ardene, a Canadian-based fashion and accessories chain (belts, hats, wallets, key chains, and of course the ever-popular fuzzy dice). Find it in C.R. Common, beside Dollarama.

In addition to being a voracious reader, I’m also an enthusiastic eater of Asian food. So - imagine my delight when I discovered that The Wok Box has chosen Campbell River as home for its unique Chinese cuisine. I eagerly hoovered a lunch special at their Courtenay located recently and found it to be hot, fresh, with just the right amount of spice for this Szchewan fan. I don’t know where the Campbell River location is yet – but – finding out is a priority.

Still on the subject of food, Subway has closed in Georgia Quay but has replaced it with a fresh location beside Save-On Foods. Definitely convenient for Mariner Square employees.

I learned first hand this past week how fortunate we are to have such a high quality Shopper’s Drug Mart. I was visiting rels in Vancouver and had occasion to visit two Shopper’s, one on the North Shore and the other in downtown Vancouver.  Our book department was more extensive than both, our location has a top-notch photography department in terms of hours, product availability, as well as knowledgeable customer service peeps. And, as someone who buys cards regularly, it was a disappointment to learn that receiving a free stamp doesn’t happen at every Shoppers. Keep up the great work in the Tyee Plaza Shopper’s Drug Mart.

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Discover local attractions with a Staycation

It’s no secret that people from all over the world come to Campbell River to experience our broad variety of actitivites and attractions. The visitor’s book at the Visitor Info Centre in Tyee Plaza is full of enthusiastic comments from those who have experienced first hand what our community offers, whether it’s for three days or two weeks. 

Since moving here seventeen years ago, I’ve learned to welcome the sight of shorts-clad families and couples, complete with cameras and maps wandering throughout the community anytime after the Victoria Day long weekend. Discovery Pier, Tyee Plaza, the Pier St. Market and the stores along Shoppers Row are popular gathering places. 

When I ask a simple question such as, “Are you visiting?”, it inevitably leads to comments such as, “You live here? Wow! Lucky you”, “We’re thinking about moving here in a few years”, “It’s beautiful, even though it’s rained a lot”, or my personal favorite, “Can we move in with you? We promise we’d be no trouble”.

For those of us fortunate enough not to need to travel here by plane, train or automobile, we have within easy reach the potential for life experiences we may not even be aware of. How often I’ve heard locals say, “We had family staying with us from fill in location here and we took them to the museum. I’d never been there before. I had no idea there was so much to see. The kids loved it”.

But maybe the challenging economic times that many in our community are living with have left you convinced you’ll have to leave the fun to the tourists this year. However, don’t despair.

Thanks to the Campbell River Spirit of BC Comimttee and Rivercorp, in conjunction with What’s On Digest and local tourism operators, here’s your chance to kayak on Quadra, stay overnight at Painter’s and April Point, or take a wildlife tour, all at very special prices until June 22.

The Staycation concept is a simple one: let residents know there are tons of things to do and see in their very own backyard and that it doesn’t have to cost your food budget for the month to scope it out.

Your copy of the 2009 Staycation Guide, found in the June issue of What’s On Digest, is set to hit your mailbox very soon if it hasn’t already. It can also be picked up at the Visitor Info Centre.

Don’t let your out of town guests be the only ones to have terrific stories to tell about Campbell River.

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