A mom-and-daughter duo want to help folks feed their creativity at the Craft Café.
Taryn Cheremkora and her mom Carol opened Craft Café Paper Studio and Fine Stationary in River Market in July. The shop, located on the first floor, aims to be a place where people can buy stationary supplies, gifts and treats, take workshops and create.
“My mom and I had a business together years ago – the 12th Street Doll Company. My mom passed away about five years ago. Taryn and I doing this together is really special too,” Carol says. “It’s really fun.”
The duo know a thing or two about art; Taryn has a bachelor of fine arts from Emily Carr University, while Carol has been working as an arts program manager in Maple Ridge.
“Taryn, she loves her art, especially paper. Paper and print design is kind of her passion. We have been involved with so many art initiatives through the years that we have seen firsthand how arts and crafts can accomplish all kinds of things,” Carol says. “We are looking for more opportunities for people of all ages to tap into their creativity and connect with their community. That’s what we are all about.”
In addition to a retail component, the Craft Café offers a variety of workshops based around paper.
“With the paper studio part of it, we have activities where parents and tots can drop in and do a craft. We have crafts for the kids,” Carol says. “We have adult evenings called Ink and Drink. We have been partnering with Wild Rice and have been holding them there. The evenings usually focus around ink and paper of some kind.”
Why paper?
“Paper is such a versatile material. It’s a blank canvas that can be used in 2- and 3D dimensions,” Taryn says in a statement to the Record. “The possibilities are really endless.”
On the retail front, Craft Café sells fine stationary from France and Italy, as well as some local artists. The shop also sells agendas, wrapping paper, different kind of pens, calligraphy sets and journals.
“Taryn has that passion for paper, but I had no idea – people come in and they want to feel it. They want to open the journal and feel it,” Carol says. “They love that writing. They use it for all kinds of things.”
In an era of cellphones and computers, Carol says many people still want to write letters on stationary.
“We have actually had people ask us to have script writing classes because everybody is on their phone all the time and texting all the time, and they forget the real feel of writing on paper and how it feels. The interest there is huge. I was quite surprised actually,” she says. “It’s kind of nice.”
With the Inn at the Quay nearby and an international school located in River Market, Craft Café also keeps a selection of file folders, paper, pens and other items in its On the Run section, and provides photocopy and fax services.
“We love being at the market. There’s lots of activity, lots of families, seniors,” Carol says. “We are tapping into the market for adults and the kids, which is nice.”
While it’s not a café in the traditional sense, visitors will find a selection of treats in-store, including cold brew coffee and handmade candy.
“Whether you’re a pen-on-paper type or one that’s savvy with scissors, our ever-growing range of products are here to quench your creative thirst,” Taryn says.
For more information, visit craftcafe.ca.
