THE SECRET DOOR

 THE SECRET DOOR

My intention today was to just jump on public transit to venture into downtown Vancouver for lunch with long time friend Michael. As usual, the adventure branched out beyond “just” and became so much more.

Upon arriving at Waterfront Station, I realized I was ninety minutes early so I decided to stroll over to one of my favourite textile stores at the edge of the seediest neighbourhood a few blocks away. It is called Dressew and it’s been at that location for more than 60 years. I have done this trip many times before, but this time it was like a scene out of a treasures of the world movie.

As I approached the block, I noticed a moving truck at the corner and three men pushing an antique display cabinet. Just prior to my destination, my eyes caught the window display in the store next door.  A businessman was exiting and acknowledged my efforts to read a notice on the window. It was yellowed but the words ‘Final Sale’ stood out.  

“Are you going out of business?”, I asked.

He looked at me stunned and said he has been out of business for the past twenty years.

“Oh! Twenty years! Aren’t all the things inside rather dusty?”

“The store has been shuttered but we kept the inside clean, selling things via Marketplace.”

“I love that beautiful table cloth in your display window? How much are you asking?”

‘All the tablecloths are in the center of the store. If you want to see them, walk in carefully and don’t allow anyone else in. You can have any one of those for $10.”

He left to deal with the moving van.

I jumped with joy and carefully walked through a small alcove and into the store. There were so many from which to choose and I was hurriedly thinking about my tables and the tables of everyone I know!

I settled on two. 100% cotton. One has a length of 90” and the other 120”. Each nicely embroidered. One had a regular price of $140 and the other $120.

As the man returned, I handed him a twenty and wished him well in his quest to sell everything.

So off I go to Dressew.  I know what I want and where to find them, and quickly finish the transaction.  I walk out of the store in the direction of the tablecloth store,  to take a photo. The once rolled up shutters had been closed.  I felt like nobody is going to believe me! It was like that unimaginable make one wish experience, and then POOF it’s gone! 

With an extra jump in my step, I went directly to the meeting place to enjoy lunch with Michael. I told him my tale and he was as excited about my buys as I was.  He suggested we should go back and take a photo of me in front of the shuttered door.

While we walked there, I kept hoping the owner had returned and reopened, but it was not to be.  Michael took the photo — me in front of shuttered doors, holding the tablecloths, smiling and feeling grateful for yet another fantastic day!