Joelle Goddard-Cooling fondly recalls the day, 25 years ago, when she opened her ladies’ clothing shop in downtown Burlington. “My very first customer still shops with us today!” says Joelle. “We’ve changed locations three times. We started out in an 800 square foot store on John Street which carried a …
By Kelly Putter In a lifelong career built on publicly sharing thoughts and feelings through music, Rik Emmett approaches his latest work, his most personal yet, with passion, humility and just a hint of healthy angst. At 68, the former Triumph front man’s latest pet project is an autobiographical collection …
Dr. Dave Williams Astronaut and former director of space and life sciences at NASA By Peter Bailey Photography by Graham Paine It is a humbling feeling to meet someone who has achieved a staggering number of career goals yet remains modest about his success. Such is the case when …
By Jenna Mohammed On the north side of Lakeshore Rd. E., just east of George St., is the Town of Oakville’s oldest family-operated brick and mortar store. Since 1951, Barrington’s upscale boutique has been a mainstay in this community and, over time, has built a reputation among discerning shoppers …
By Kelly Putter Photography by Graham Paine The spotlight on Canada’s persecution of Indigenous peoples glares more intently with each new discovery of burial sites containing the bodies of Native children. By now, hundreds, if not thousands, of unmarked graves have been uncovered. While suspected for many years, these discoveries …
By Jenna Mohammed Twenty-five years ago, at the Atlantic Olympic Games, Bruny Surin passed the baton to Oakville’s Donovan Bailey and threw his arms into the air in celebration. Bailey sprinted the final 100 metres to win Canada the Olympic relay gold. Bailey now wants to “pass the …
Lash Forever serves the growing interest in permanent makeup By Allie Murray Lauren Spencer has loved beauty for as long as she can remember. Inspired by her mother’s career in the beauty industry, Spencer switched her career plan when she was 19 from medical aesthetics to lash extensions, …
By Jenna Mohammed Forty years ago, Paul Gravelle never dreamed his side gig would turn into a successful cabinet empire. Today, however, Gravelle Woodworking has built a name for itself in the custom cabinet solutions industry. “My father started the business in 1981,” says Paul’s son, Ben, who …
The celebrated 84-year-old artist imbues a reverence of nature to her woodcut art By Kelly Putter That elements of nature impart a sweeping backdrop of inspiration for renowned woodcut artist Naoko Matsubara should come as no surprise. Matsubara became aware of nature’s influence as a youngster living in Japan on …
We’re so excited to share the Summer issue of West of the City. Be wowed by gorgeous Muskoka cottages and boathouses, inspired by pretty summer fashions, and enjoy fascinating profiles of artists and connoisseurs in this latest issue. Summer is here, and West of the City wants to help you …