Pulse Spotlight

Toy Traders – Pulse Spotlight – 12.11.11

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

Congratulations to our two winners! This contest is now closed.

As a kid, the thought of having your own toy store meant freedom to play with any and every toy you could imagine, all day long. That dream, in the mind of just about any kid, would be pure bliss. Imagine the fun and thrill of having every toy you could ever want, within reach, at any given time. While there may only be a few of us who turned that dream into reality, Matthew Purdy, the Owner of Toy Traders in Langley, is one of them.

This Yukon born man moved to BC to attend high school in Abbotsford and has been in business in Langley since 1995. What started mainly as a toy trading business has now evolved into BC’s largest independent toy store. As a former toy collector himself, Matthew is a great example of someone who enjoys what he does and who turned his passion for toys into a successful business.

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Glenda’s Christmas Cottage – Pulse Spotlight – 12.05.11

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Like the song goes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a great way to spend your time (and some money!) is at Glenda’s Christmas Cottage. Glenda’s is an amazing Christmas store that opens up every year in November and December. If you’re looking for anything Christmas related—from candles to tree ornaments to a Christmas village—you’ll probably find it at Glenda’s. Honestly, we could spend hours at the store and still not see everything she has available.

Owner Glenda Cox opened Glenda’s Christmas Cottage 22 years ago at her husband’s suggestion. She had so many Christmas decorations he told her she should open a store at Christmas. Glenda says she didn’t think the store would survive and spent the first year operating out of one room while spending most of her time outside. After a few years, the store was expanded. Now, the cottage takes up an entire shed in the yard and Glenda has seven workers helping her manage the store. Even her granddaughters help out.

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Pamper Your Soul – Pulse Spotlight – 11.28.11

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Life is intensely busy. So much so that the stuff and the “to do” list sometimes overrides the basic need to take care of ourselves. Often, we are the last ones to get a much needed break. And when you finally take that break, it feels so good that you wonder why you left it for so long. For women, especially, this often rings true. Although relaxation may equate coffee with friends for one person and an hour of exercise for another, many people can appreciate the effects of a little physical pampering.

An idea and desire to provide a body, mind and soul experience in the comfort of your own home is how Pamper Your Soul evolved into a business over seven years ago. This business was started by two women: Maggie, an Aesthetician and Michelle, a Massage Practitioner who met over coffee through a mutual friend. Since that day, they have grown their idea into a successful service that meets the pampering needs of both personal and corporate clients.

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Cottonwood 4 Cinemas – Pulse Spotlight – 11.14.11

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Our Pulse Spotlights aren’t always about discovering hidden gems in the Fraser Valley, they’re about sharing well-loved businesses too! In a world of big box movie cinemas, we were so excited when we learned that the beloved Cottonwood 4 Cinema’s in Chilliwack is, and always has been, a family run business.

Since they first opened the doors in 1995, Cottonwood 4 Cinemas has always been a great destination. In addition to being a huge part of many first date memories, this cinema is also known as the local spot for affordable family fun!

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Zena’s Gluten Free Bakery – Pulse Spotlight – 11.07.11

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

We know this week’s Pulse Spotlight may not instantly appeal to the masses, but to those who live with Celiac disease or have family members with gluten intolerance, we know you will be thrilled to learn of the brand new Zena’s Gluten Free Bakery in Maple Ridge! For those who just love delicious treats, read on. Zena’s baking is seriously delicious and we promise you will love their bakery treats even if you don’t require a gluten free diet.

Erin and Rebecca, the Zena’s, have daughters who are school friends. When the girls were entering Kindergarten, each were deciding what they were going to do career-wise moving forward. Rebecca’s family is gluten free and Erin loves to create healthful baked goods. Rebecca asked Erin to join forces with her and the business was up and running in less than a year! They opened their doors on October 15, 2011!

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Jax & Jena – Pulse Spotlight – October 31, 2011

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

You know what’s adorable? Finding entrepreneurs who love what they do. Like, LOVE it. We recently caught up with Melissa and Terrah of Aldergrove’s Jax & Jena and the joy radiating from these two was off the charts!

Sisters and great friends, Melissa and Terrah were excited to be raising their young families together. They each have a daughter, whose middle names are Jax and Jena, born just weeks apart. When their one year maternity leave was up after these daughters, they simply weren’t ready to return to their jobs. Babies and motherhood and loving everything about having children was their life. So, they collectively decided that since they love finding quality, unique products for their little ones and both ladies enjoy people, they would create a business together that married these two things! The idea of Jax & Jena was what they decided on and the company was born in 2010.

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Lotusland Vineyards – Pulse Spotlight – 10.24.11

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Is there anything better than a delectable drink that’s also environmentally friendly? We don’t think so, which is why we can’t get enough of Lotusland and their delicious, organic, local wines. That’s right; Lotusland is an organic vineyard based right here in Abbotsford. In fact, owners Liz and David Avery proudly say it’s the only 100 percent Fraser Valley Winery.

That means all the wines are made from Fraser Valley fruit, and they’re not just talking about grapes. Devil’s Spit, a red wine, is made from blackberries. But of course they have wines made from grapes, too. One of their best sellers is the Girlsrmeaner, a white wine in both dry and off dry, and the Ortega, with fresh citrus aromas. Or, if you feel like a red, they have a selection that includes Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Enigma.

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Cranberries…Naturally! – Pulse Spotlight – 10.17.11

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Whenever we find a store that is a little more hidden than the rest, we are that much more excited to share it with our readers! Tucked into Gasoline Alley, off of Glover Road in the heart of Fort Langley, is where you will find one of the more unique boutiques we’ve featured yet – Cranberries…Naturally!

This quaint little store offers all types of cranberry products from cranberry sauces to cranberry vinegars, cranberry candy, cranberry BBQ sauce and lots more. Imagine an entire store filled with cranberry goodness – that’s what you will find in Fort Langley.

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In The Company of Friends – 10.10.11

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

In our current world of big box stores full of generic knick knacks and tidbits, it’s refreshing to find a store that offers unique and one of a kind items. When you visit In the Company of Friends in Cloverdale, you will discover just this. Not only will you find personal and adorable treasures that are perfect for gifts (for others or yourself), but you might be inspired to spruce up your own space too!

In the Company of Friends celebrates its 9 year anniversary this December and is not only a family business, but a business full of support from friends. Barbara St. Laurent, a married Mother of two grown children, originally bought the space from one of her daughters and expanded it into what it is today.

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Vedder Mountain Grille – Pulse Spotlight – 10.03.11

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

We don’t know about you, but we take every opportunity we can get to slow things down for a while and take in all life has to offer. Since we can’t just take off on vacation whenever we feel like it, we love to find great places in the Fraser Valley that allow us to relax, even for just a little while.

Close enough for a Sunday drive, but quiet and relaxing enough to make it feel like a mini escape, Vedder Mountain Grille is one of those fabulously relaxing places we speak of! They are cooking up homemade comfort food and it’s just like driving over for a visit at Grandma’s house.

Hard to miss with its bright blue exterior, this sweet Chilliwack restaurant stands out along the main strip in Yarrow.

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