Dale Darychuk has no plans to run away and joining the circus, but his Buy Local New West campaign is taking him to new heights.
In June, the New Westminster resident launched his Buy Local New West campaign with the goal of buying all his goods and services in the Royal City for one year. So far, he’s only had to venture outside the city once.
“I had to renew my driver’s licence and there’s no Motor Vehicle Branch in New Westminster, which seems kind of strange because everybody drives through here,” he said. “I had to go into Burnaby.”
Darychuk said his campaign is based on the concept of living his whole life in New Westminster, so he’s branching out and exploring places and activities he may not normally do, such as circus classes at the Vancouver Circus School at River Market.
“I have joined the circus. I had a seven-week course in that and signed up again. I’m learning my skills there, doing a little bit of juggling. It’s fun,” he said. “They really do train people for the circus – I don’t think I’ll be doing that anytime soon. It’s interesting to test your courage. I’ve started doing back drops and stuff like that.”
Circus classes aren’t the only new pastime Darychuk has taken up since starting his campaign. He regularly posts about his campaign on the I Buy New West page on Facebook.
“I have to look for my entertainment here in New Westminster. That has certainly been entertaining,” he said. “I joined the Sapperton Fish and Game Club. I am getting back into doing some fishing and learning about their activities. I am getting back into theatre and getting involved with Patrick Street Productions. They are putting on a musical, A Little Night Music, in May here at the Anvil Centre. My law firm is also sponsoring a short story contest through the Lit Fest. The only criteria is it has to be set in New Westminster. We are seeing if we can get some great stories set in New Westminster.”
On the food front, Darychuk often ventures from his office on Columbia Street to Old Crow Coffee Co. on Front Street, heads to a farm in Queensborough for fresh veggies and shops for men’s attire at stores in Queensborough Landing. The uptown resident is impressed by the service at Buy-Low foods in Westminster Centre and frequents Queens Meat and Deli.
“The new meat market, where the old one was – that’s a must,” he said of the former Queens Park Meat Market. “It’s run by a young couple. Their meat is excellent. We have had the chicken and the sausages. He makes his own sausage. The Applewood bacon is just amazing.”
With Christmas coming, Darychuk doesn’t anticipate any challenges finding gifts at places like Brick & Mortar Living and Good Omen.
“Good Omen just opened up here on Sixth Street near Brick & Mortar. It’s got jewelry, cards and candles and good gift items. She makes all of her own jewellery,” he said. “Most of her stuff is local.”
