Germain Street
Things I like about Saint John:
The Feel Good Store. The FG is my woe depository. I stumble out of my store in some fit of rage over an obnoxious customer, slam the door behind me, and stick up a hastily scribbled note that reads: ‘In a bad mood; gone to the Feel Good Store.’ And after talking to the FG’s gumption-filled owner, Anne, for a mere five minutes, I’m ready to tackle anything the wonderful-but-sometimes-infuriating world of entrepreneurship throws my way. Thanks Anne. Plus she has great chocolate, which can also pretty much solve anything.
Mario’s Picture Framing and Citadel Gallery. It’s really thanks to Mike and Mario that I even conceived the notion of putting my art on the walls of the bookstore. I dropped off some canvases a couple years ago to be framed, and Mike called me a week later: ‘Sarah? Someone wants to buy your paintings. Are they for sale?’ Heck yes. And that continued for the next few batches of paintings, with Mike helping me to decide on a price, looking after the sale – all without a commission. Conclusion: Mario’s = the greatest incubator and confidence-booster for emerging artists.
Backstreet Records. Only the coolest place on earth. And quite possibly the best neighbour a bookstore could ever ask for. Someone came into the store last week and left when there was no sign of human life in the place (oops). Guess where I was. Backstreet. Yipping at Babette or Jeff or Gordy. I think I need a sign that says, ‘if you need me, I’ll be next door.’
