The team behind Woodlot - the Vancouver makers behind the very popular line of bath products and home scents - held their one-year anniversary party at our cafe and surrounding backyard. Sonia and Fouad approached Le Marché St. George a year ago, when they first released their candles to the public, and the shop became their very first wholesale clients. Since then, multiple shops and boutiques - both local and international - are now carrying Woodlot products on their shelves, and we could not be more proud of their vast growth within their first year. They are so very loved and adored by the food and lifestyle community in Vancouver, and deservingly so, because of Sonia and Fouad's open, gracious, and genuine personalities. The couple, now recently engaged, look forward to the years ahead as they continue to develop their brand and share their successes with some of their closest family and friends.
Le Marché hosted a huge group of Sonia and Fouad's closest. People of all ages attended in celebration of Woodlot's many successes in their first year of business. Babies and adults mingled and laughed over BC-made beverages and The Local Omnivore's food-truck fare. It was, all in all, a very successful turnout and the merriment lasted well into [a respectable hour of] the evening.
Congratulations, Team Woodlot! Here's to many more years and to many more delicious scents ahead!
Woodlot gift bags include bath salts, a bar of their soap, 'God's eyes' ornaments handcrafted from Palo Santo sticks (by the talented Danica Kaspar), and sweets bags with treats from Livia Sweets.
Petal to potion.
A variety of Indian sweets were laid out for guests to enjoy.
"The Dallah" caught mid-'stride by'.
The gorgeous power couple behind Woodlot: Fouad & Sonia.
Janaki and Chloee.
Sami Wall (By Broken Arrow) and her two beautiful little girls.
Danica Kaspar, macrame artist and Woodlot's studio assistant, working behind the bar.
A selection of local beverages on offer: Four Winds, Legend Naramata, Dickie's Ginger.
Backyard party!
Local children's book author, Linnie von Sky, arrives with her baby daughter, Ella.
Local food, portrait, and lifestyle photographer, Joey Armstrong, arrives with her husband, Byron.
Pascal's turn to hold baby Ella!
(1. Photo credit: Ryan Quirico, Studio 126)
These four photographs were taken by Ryan Quirico, woodworker and metal artist behind local furniture store, Studio 126. He asked to steal my camera away for a bit, partly driven by his belief that he, too, can be a photographer. He did a good job! Colour me impressed. This also freed my hands for some much-needed gin & ginger beer sipping.
1) Anna, baby Leo, Joey, Byron, and I were Ryan's first subjects. Note Joey's disbelieving laugh, Byron's playful smirk, and my incessant giggling. Anna smilingly gazes off into the distance.
2) Natalie Ferrari-Morton (East Van Jams) chats with Alison Page.
3) Gabo (Gabriel - Anna and Ryan's oldest), playing in Lola's backyard kitchen.
4) Spotted on the garage rooftop: Lauren of NUEZ Milk, Jana Nixon, and gang.
(1. Photo credit: Ryan Quirico, Studio 126)
(3. Photo credit: Ryan Quirico, Studio 126)
(4. Photo credit: Ryan Quirico, Studio 126)
The Local Omnivore truck on full swing!
Fouad.
Mikey.
Meatball sliders and Falafel sliders on offer for the guests at Woodlot's first year anniversary party.
Gabo riding off into the night...
Anna Szul (Studio 126) holds up her beautiful 6-month old daughter, Leo (also affectionately nicknamed Cardamom).
Story and Principal Photographs: Issha Marie
Supporting Photographs: Ryan Quirico (Studio 126)
