Mackenzie Jagger

Mackenzie Jagger is the fourth generation of her family to live, work, and go to school in Kerrisdale. Her grandmother, Sandra Dumont (née Webber) fondly remembers Kerrisdale feeling like a small town, a stop on the Interurban line, with its own movie theatre (where Moore’s bakery is now) and even its own bowling alley.

Mackenzie loves the continued small town feel and familiarity of Kerrisdale village. Her parents proudly remember introducing her as a baby to their favourite Kerrisdale merchants, like Girlie Koo of JB Hoy’s. Mrs. Koo, a fixture in Kerrisdale for so many years, lived in Mackenzie’s father’s first office. The space, directly across from JB Hoy Produce and above BabyGap, was where Mike Jagger started Provident Security in 1996. He joined the Kerrisdale Business Association in 1998 and has been a member of the board ever since. His offices have moved down the street to Sequoia Square, named for the giant conifer that was recently removed from in front of his showroom and West Wood Organics (which is Mackenzie’s favourite spot for on-tap kombucha).

Throughout her life, Mackenzie has enjoyed everything Kerrisdale has to offer. Like so many people her age, she remembers days spent at the Kerrisdale Community Centre, learning pottery with Mia and running around the gym with “Linda’s Little Sneakers.” For several birthdays, Mackenzie celebrated with parties at the Play Palace at Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena.

She enjoyed Bumblebee Preschool at Ryerson’s community hall, then Kerrisdale Annex and Kerrisdale Elementary before moving to Crofton House School. Along with her cousin Grace Pearson, she played up to Majors in Kerrisdale Little League and loved marching in the annual parade to open the baseball season. She has always found Kerrisdale Days fun, especially shopping at Hills sidewalk sale and attending the annual outdoor movie night in Elm Park. As Mackenzie grew up, her time spent in Kerrisdale evolved from sugar cookies at Moore’s Bakery to iced coffees at Starbucks and sushi or noodles at one of the many lunch spots.

Mackenzie is grateful to the local community for supporting her business. At age 16 she started FINCH the label, which launched at a pop-up in the Provident Showroom. FINCH sells luxury pajamas via www.finchdesign.ca and local pop-ups. Her most memorable one was hosted by Kerrisdale alum, Thomas Hobbs, at Southlands Nursery, over the holiday season.

Mackenzie was recently recognized as a finalist for Best Youth Entrepreneur by Small Business BC and was featured at Harvard University’s Women in Business Conference in 2019, where she spoke to hundreds of high school students about being a young female entrepreneur.

Mackenzie graduated from high school this year and has headed to Ryerson University in Toronto to study fashion. While COVID-19 has meant a very different past few months, her time spent in Kerrisdale has been precious. And no matter where life takes her, Mackenzie says Kerrisdale will always be her home.

On the cover with Mackenize: Grace Pearson, Mackenzie’s cousin, has also been a lifelong member of the Kerrisdale community. She played all the way to Major A baseball through Kerrisdale Little League, along with working at Moore’s Bakery alongside Mackenzie’s sister, Lucy. Grace and Mackenzie have grown up together from preschool to high school as distant cousins and best friends.