Street Photography by Denis Bouvier
Looking forlorn and derelict, a sign in a window of this abandoned building at Richmond Ave. and Birch St. in Victoria boasts housing the oldest coffee shop under the same ownership and in the same location from 1937-2000. However, according to Victoria Archival records, the building was constructed by Birley, Wade and Stockdill in 1946. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of concrete information to be found except enthusiastic anecdotal quotes on blogs from previous customers.
Originally the building’s official title was Turner’s Confectionery, as can be seen in what’s left of the art deco neon sign. The base of the building still has its original tiles. Turner’s featured a store in the front part with newspapers, magazines, frozen food, ice cream and groceries. The well-known Ian’s Coffee Shop is a few doors down on the right of the same building, which has always been owned by the Turner family. Ian Turner ran the coffee shop. He was gregarious and kindhearted and cooked breakfast and lunch there. It was a classic ’50s style old-time diner serving homemade pies, doughnuts, milkshakes and around the back in the parking lot, there was a window where you could take out great burgers and fries. Apparently, the walls of the coffee shop were covered in Golden Cup Coffee Awards. There’s even a great country YouTube video made there: Would You Still Dance? by The Cactus Pricks.
The food and Ian’s spirited personality hold a lot of fond memories for his customers.
In the May 2011 edition of The Victoria News, Jean Stephenson recalls graduating from Begbie Hall in 1949. This was a nursing school and is now a national historic site and part of Royal Jubilee Hospital, just down the street from Ian’s Coffee Shop. At that time, nursing students were only given a $4-per-month stipend. Jean recalled: “I remember going to Ian’s and washing his dishes for a free cup of coffee because I didn’t have any money.” Many people over the years would come from the hospital on their way to and from visiting friends and relatives and always benefited from Ian’s kind smile.
The building has now sat derelict for over 10 years. Ian has passed on, but his family still holds title to the property. There is speculation of a dispute with Victoria City Hall, and residents and fans are wary about what type of development may follow. Many would like to see the building’s preservation and revival to its former glory. Let’s hope that something good awaits this site which will celebrate its vibrant past.
Don Richardson
