A rich piece of Lower Lonsdale’s history merges with modern life on the corner of Lonsdale and Esplanade.
Housed in a reconstructed historical building from 1903, recently opened Mo’s General Store is a reincarnation of the area’s first mercantile, McMillian Grocers. North Vancouver’s first newspaper was produced in this building in 1905.
The idea to open a general store at that location had been percolating for a while for its proprietor Mithra Sawyer.
The longtime North Shore resident was enamoured with the old-fashioned façade and distinctive octagonal architecture of the two-storey wood frame building that bookends North Vancouver’s first commercial block.
“Life sometimes doesn’t allow you to go ahead and then all of a sudden I had a great opportunity and the place was still available,” says Sawyer. “I love the heritage aspect of it. I love this neighbourhood. This neighbourhood is really blossoming.”
Before you step back in time inside the general store, you get a taste of nostalgia from the street. Beautiful displays of curated art, home décor and hand-crafted confections are seen through eight floor-to-ceiling windows from both the Lonsdale and Esplanade sides.
The concept of Mo’s General Store harkens back to a time when people from the town would stop by the local mercantile for staple food items and general goods.
“Just to be able to walk out your door and be able to shop for pretty much anything in your house, I think that’s the Manhattan feel,” says Sawyer.
Of course, Sawyer isn’t selling sacks of flour in burlap bags like they did in the early 1900s, but rather a curated collection of wares, some crafted down the street and others around the world. Sawyer is passionate about curating fine local goods.
“We love making sure that if a product makes it to the shelves we have already admired and tested it. Classic and modern goods that are sure to please,” she says.
Mo’s General Store selection spans everything from old-fashioned confections to First Nations art to handy gadgets, and it’s where you will find an ungeneric gift for a special occasion.
Tropical flavoured organic cotton candy that tastes like a pina colada and a selection of Deep Cove’s InGrain Pastificio handmade pastas made in the old-world style are a taste of Mo’s foodstuff.
The 2,200-square-foot airy space with lofty ceilings is compartmentalized into themes.
Canadiana abounds in the back nook, with a selection of fun toques, cosy socks and oversized mugs which scream Saturday morning comfort zone.
“I envisioned it as a cabin with a comfy feel,” says Sawyer.
Upstairs is the art and home décor haven, accented by a throne-like king chair crafted in Pennsylvania.
Tapestry from a local weaver hangs on the wall. Other home goods at the general store include laundry detergent made from natural ingredients, sustainable bamboo dental floss and artistic candles that break off into multiple wicks as they melt.
Mo’s also arranges custom gift packages placed in wooden crates made in Cumberland, B.C.
The real show stopper is an oversized black and white mural – a blown-up photo of handlebar-mustached men in vests behind the counter of the original Lonsdale general store – stretched across a main downstairs wall.
At the base of the mural is another conversation piece steeped in rich B.C. history.
It’s a custom Sea to Sky railway table, designed by local artist Benjamin Lumb, who crafted it using pieces from the railway line that runs between North Vancouver and Squamish.
Weighing approximately 550 kilograms, the long table showcases railway ties underneath the glass top and is finished with a singular gold spike, paying homage to the West Coast’s railway history and the era of the Royal Hudson 2860 steam locomotive.
You can take a seat at the table and savour a cup of java from North Vancouver roaster Moja Coffee and one of the homebaked goodies Mo’s sells.
Sawyer says her foray into entrepreneurship has been fun so far and she’s looking forward to meeting the neighbours.
“As the community repeats its history as being the heart of the North Shore, we are excited to be a part of the face of the exciting LoLo,” she says.
Mo’s General Store grand opening weekend runs Feb. 3-5 and will include a meet-and-greet with local artists, product sampling and a raffle benefiting North Shore Rescue.
