Kirkland Metal Shop Ltd A Family Business Story by Christa Andersen
Photos submitted
Christa Andersen, established 1984. The year I became a daughter, a sister, and future employee of Kirkland Metal Shop.
followed. Years later, the torch would be passed and the Andersen family would continue the Kerrisdale legacy.
Barney and Nancy Andersen (aka my heroes…aka my bosses) are the definition of grit, perseverance and love. They didn’t just pass on these qualities to their four children; they poured every ounce of it into their business and community.
Nancy and Barney made their own mark in Vancouver’s history. They roamed the halls of Prince of Wales Secondary School, ice skated at Kerrisdale Arena, and grew up in Vancouver Specials. I consider them the OG’s (#GoogleIt) of Dunbar. For them Kirkland was never just a business opportunity, it was a dream, a chance to honour history while making a future.
I was too young to remember my dad and his one employee hauling furnaces from our garage to jobs. I was crawling between my mom’s feet as she ran the business from our kitchen table, crunching numbers on her word processor. But I do remember when they took their modest home based business and their unwavering passion and took over a historic and respected heating company. Kirkland Metal Shop Ltd, established 1921. The year the Kirkland family established a necessary and revered local business. They paved the way for all heating companies that
28
September 1 - November 15, 2017
As their daughter, their employee, and a Vancouverite to the core, I am never more proud than when I meet people and they say they know Kirkland Metal Shop. Better yet, when they tell me we’ve been in their house, serviced their furnace, installed their fireplace, and they know my dad! My favourite is; “Barney’s your dad?! Ah man, he’s awesome, he installed our furnace, that’s so cool!” It never gets old. The kid in me thinks, “Yep, my dad’s the coolest!” The adult
•
www.KerrisdaleInsider.com
