MFBC November Update
One Year of MFBC – A Big “Thank You”
Can you believe it? Hope’s smallest brick-and-mortar has made it a whole year! I’ve learned a ton - about business, about this town, and about every walk of life that’s come through the shop.
To everyone I’ve met this year:
Mechanics, millwrights, Cedar Strong crew, loggers, tow truck heroes, trail builders, teachers, students, bartenders, dishwashers, social workers, first responders, artists, retirees who work more than full-timers… the list is endless.
You’ve all made this shop what it is. Thank you.
Special thanks to:
Jack’s Custom Spaces – renovations still holding strong
Dawn at The Ledger – my online presence sorceress
Marsha – keeper of the books
Rona – for all the bits and bobs
Lucky Dollar Plus Store – Simon, breaker of $20s
Canyon Glass – for the glass stuff I definitely couldn't do myself
INLÉ Designs & Erica Press – shirts, prints, and brand magic
NomNom Cookies – treats and logo brilliance
Bright Side, Kerfuffle Creations, Lindy’s Earth Enchantments, Nuway Traders, Stratus, Baker’s Books – little pieces of your work adorn the shop
Local eateries – Rolling Pin, Lolas Tortas, Nomad So.Cial Eatery, Mountainview Brewing Co., Kingpin Lounge… you kept me alive
Amanda from Hope/Cascades/Canyons – for shouting the shop out beyond Hope’s borders
And the biggest thanks:
Tanya, Lucy, and Rigel.
Coming home for dinner with the family is everything.
Community Magic
If you live in Hope, you already know one thing for certain: this town shows up. And man, did you ever prove it again. The HGTV turnout? Tremendous. Absolutely outstanding. Give yourself a solid pat on the back, fist bump the nearest stranger, or do that awkward slow clap that nobody commits to. You earned it!
Less me, more we —> that’s what real community pride looks like. And Hope delivered, even in sideways rain that felt like it had personal beef with us.
FogFest, Tweed Nights & a Whole Lot of Local Love
FogFest went full “Hold My Beer” mode this year.
Nomad So.Cial Eatery threw a Tweed Affair so fancy I had to check if my shirt was ironed (it wasn’t). Prime rib, salmon, jazz… Benjamin and Naomi lit that place up.
Mountainview Brewing Co. sold out burlesque night before I could even make a joke about tassels. Good on them.
And Advantage Hope? Amanda, Kaja, and the whole crew have kicked autumn in Hope up several notches. Seriously, round of applause.
Holiday Season Incoming: Brace Yourselves
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is coming, but this year Hope said, “Let’s make it bigger… no, BIGGER.”
November 29th you’re getting:
Popcorn & hot chocolate
The iconic wooden Grinch (he’s back, he’s handsome)
Train rides
Carolling
St. Nick AND snow princesses
A proper parade
Fireworks
And the spirit of Clarke Griswold whispering, “Don’t screw this up.”
You could drive 45 minutes to a big-city Christmas fest and battle for parking…
OR you could stay right here, support your local volunteer heroes, shop Wallace Street, and give the gift of presence.
Choose wisely, Whooville.
MFBC Shirts Are Back!
Shoutout to Hippie Mike and Jason Groves, aka Hippie Mike Industries and INLÉ Designs, for creating the newest generation of MFBC shirts. They’re sharp. They’re local. They make great gifts for that tough-to-shop-for fella in your life.
T-Shirts: $30
Big fella sizes available because we don’t discriminate.
Shoutouts, Happenings & Halloween Mayhem
Hope has been busy:
Hope Fire Department Halloween bash
Hope Pride movie night
Mountainview Brewing’s Dead Western Party
FCH Auxiliary Silent Auction
Motorsports Pumpkin Smash
Arts Council kids programs
Ceramic art by Alissa Marie Dalles on the MFBC art shelf
Rolling Pin spooky donuts
Merchants going all out for Halloween
Support local first - especially before shopping online.
The Finger-Food Potluck (aka The Great Charcuterie Convergence of 2025)
If you were anywhere near the Rec Centre on Sunday, November 9th, you already know: Hope showed up. Again.
Turns out when you offer finger foods, community vibes, and the occasional philosophical haircut, people don’t hesitate.
Food brings people together. That’s science.
And once again the fine folks of Hope proved that truth by rolling in with:
Fancy cheeses (plural, and some I can’t pronounce)
Secret-recipe dips (some of you are hiding Michelin skills, just sayin’…)
Boxes of crackers
Lone wolf sausage chunks
Dessert squares that vanished so fast I swear I blacked out
Appetites that could level a buffet
Families came. New neighbours came. Old friends came. Random visitors wandered in and stayed for the cheese. Together we spent the afternoon proving that it is absolutely possible for rain to fall up, sideways, and diagonally, and that nothing stops Hope when it’s time to gather.
A friendly reminder for next time: NO nuts.
A second reminder: bring Tupperware unless you enjoy doing the walk of shame to your car juggling leftover salami slices like a circus act.
Thank you to everyone who contributed, visited, laughed, and filled their plates (twice).
Holiday Spirit Loading…
Fall has been a blast, the Tree Lighting is on the way, and this town is stirring like a pot of Grandma’s stew.
And speaking of stirring…
Let’s just say there may be something cooking over here at MFBC.
Something festive.
Something fun.
Something that might involve community, laughter, maybe a little singing, maybe a little magic…
But that’s all I’m saying.
For now.
Keep your eyes peeled, your calendars loose, and your spirit bright.
More to come.
The Barber Chair Philosophy Corner
Martin stopped in and reminded me that nostalgia is comfy, but too much of it becomes a trap. Shed grudges. Grow. Move forward.
Amazing what 25 minutes in the chair can sort out.
This Month at MFBC
Haircuts: $27
Seniors (or if you claim to be one): $24
Kids: $19
Cash only. Taxes included.
Specials? Nah. You’re special enough.
Come in for a trim, stay for the conversation.
