Slasher flicks and sour candies go hand in hand for cinephile Lisa Caruk.
Not only does the Lynn Valley resident love horror and thriller films, she also finds herself acting in them.
Snakes on a Plane, The Haunting of Sorority Row and Masters of Horror are just some of the TV and film credits to Caruk’s name.
But it was the first instalment of the Final Destination franchise – Caruk had a seat on that fateful flight – that caused her some post-traumatic stress.
“We shot that scene so many times and I was afraid of flying after that movie,” says Caruk with a laugh, recalling how real the plane crash scene felt.
To simulate the terrifying downward descent, a special effects crew built a plane set that sat on hydraulics and violently shifted and shook to “create a pitching movement of up to 45 degrees side-to-side and 60 degrees front-to-back, realistically conveying the horror of airborne engine failure.”
The screams of the cast were pretty authentic as a result.
Still, Caruk gravitates towards spine-chilling cinema.
“I love doing horror,” she says. “It’s funny, because when we go see horror movies, I’m the one that’s screaming in the movie theatre. I’m in the moment and if it’s a really good horror movie I get startled.”
Caruk figures she loves a good fright because it’s the complete opposite of her life, which she says is happy and joyful. In addition to acting, Caruk owns a newly opened Lower Lonsdale party store, Frankie & Co, with her sister Jennifer Montague.
The sisters found a sweet spot for their candy and party supply store in the recently revamped Wallace & McDowell building. Caruk says they are excited to be nestled in the up-and-coming neighbourhood.
Frankie & Co is a reincarnation of Frankie’s Candy Bar, which Montague started in Dundarave and then moved to Kerrisdale.
The building that housed Frankie’s in Kerrisdale was torn down, leaving the sisters longing to come back to North Vancouver and re-open the candy store in their hometown.
In early December, Frankie & Co opened in Lower Lonsdale.
“When you walk in the door, it’s magical,” says Caruk.
There are colourful balloon installations on the ceiling and, of course, the eye-catching candy bar.
The sisters have curated a collection of party favours to please kids of all age, from nostalgic candy to deco link balloons to disco ball tumblers.
Caruk and Montague conceived the theme Some Kind of Wonderful for their boutique because they believe life should be whimsical and fun.
You’ll find something inside the store to put a smile on someone’s face, for a special occasion or an ordinary Wednesday.
Scratch off cards that you personalize yourself are a fun way to send a special message to a friend or partner, or you can put them inside a child’s lunch box.
Caruk, who got engaged over the holidays, used one of the scratch cards to ask one of her friends to be a bridesmaid.
Candy bars are en vogue at the moment as a treat for guests at weddings, showers, corporate events and even 100-day birthday parties, which apparently are popular right now.
Caruk does some delicious research at candy conventions every year and has learned non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and organic sweets are some relatively guilt-free treats now available.
While the sisters like to support local companies, they also bring in specially imported merchandise from all over the globe, from areas such as Europe and Australia.
“Honestly, it’s through Instagram,” says Caruk, when asked where they draw inspiration for store stock.
Caruk wants customers to have an experience in the store.
Big kids can take a trip down memory lane with nostalgic candy including wax lips and Thrills gum. Youngsters, meanwhile, can play dress up in handmade superhero costumes or don some angel wings.
The sisters also have a saintly side. Caruk does volunteer work at a youth detention facility.
Her next sweet endeavour is the Some Kind of Wonderful project, a charitable extension of Frankie & Co, which will see the sisters donating parties and gifts or balloon arrangements to those in need of some cheer.
In the past, the sisters put on some parties for kids at Canuck Place and Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver.
“The best thing ever was to be able to give a kid a party that they normally wouldn’t be able to have,” says Caruk.
“In our experience, we’ve seen the joy that it’s brought.”
