Sep

8

East Meets West, Meets West: Part Five.

Filed Under Life Slice 

JPP Binders

Nancy had a small one-unit in an Artists Co-Op on Noble Street. The Japanese Paper Place worked out of these quarters until some realty freed up on Queen West, not far from the Co-Op. A futon store had become for rent. The space was ideal. Nancy would take it.

In the new locale, business thrived. Distribution grew, locally and internationally. Workshops were being added and updated all the time. Teachers, from everywhere, started to arrive.

The shop was developing a reputation.

Artists weren’t the only patrons. The general public was making their way too. The store had become an enclave of a greater phenomena: North America’s fascination with Asian culture.

Suddenly, the Japanese sensation had caught on.

East meets West, meets west.

West on Queen.

Nancy, made it possible.

Supplying Toronto was just one part of Nancy’s ultimate goal. She wanted to increase her international distribution too. She wanted to get Japanese papers “out in the world more.”

She regularly shipped out of the Queen West store, and quickly, was outgrowing her space. Extra storage became necessary. In 1998, she purchased a warehouse on Brock Avenue. The building sat vacant for two years as Nancy poured the money back into the business.

She focused on her projects, shows, workshops and events. She started a permanent collection of paper works either given by, or purchased from, her customers. Promoting creativity wasn’t enough: Nancy was interested in making a difference in the lives of others. With this business, and in all that she does, “it had to make sense on all kinds of levels.”

For Nancy, paper had directed her path in life. Uncharted territory gave way to opportunity. Public support strengthened her positive philosophy. Making history became part of her story. More than twenty-five years later.

Queen Street, happened. TO BE CONTINUED….

Comments

Leave a Reply