Name: Angela Ho
Title: Owner and Button Aficionado
Organization/Business: Button Button
Social: @buttonbutton.ca
What do you do and how did you get here?
I match people and projects up with buttons.
How I got here was in an interesting sort of way. About three years ago, Colleen Miller who originally opened Button Button on West Cordova (since 1995), wanted to retire. I was in the right place and in the right time of life to be lucky enough to take over her amazing legacy of community and customers. I had been a longtime customer of Colleen’s shop and we had built a solid casual friendship over the years. One day, I was in to buy some buttons to finish a knitting project and after hearing about her upcoming retirement, I slowly realized that my next step on the journey was to become the proud new owner of Button Button. Before owing the shop, I managed a law library, and before that, trade shows, and before all that, I worked for the Vancouver Public Library. I’ve been knitting since I was five, sewing since I was ten, and the spirit of crafting has always been with me. I never thought that this I where I would end up, but it is wonderful, amazing, and utterly delightful. Life takes surprising, often adventurous turns when you least expect them.
What do you like about Gastown?
I love that we have this beautiful mix of people that come into the shop. Babies, teens, adults, business people, knitters, sewers, designers, people who need only one button, and then some. Gastown is still a true cross section of the city, and perhaps the world, where diversity reigns supreme.
If you had only 15 minutes in Gastown, how would you spend it?
Morning or afternoon? If was afternoon, I’d stop by Nika Design to say a quick hello to my friends Dino and Neda, then swing by The Sardine Can for a snack and a tiny glass of sherry.
Can you recall a memorable moment or experience you’ve had in the neighbourhood?
I was born and raised in Vancouver, so Gastown has always been a big part of my life. I’d regularly come to shop at Button Button, I had a good friend living here, so we would hang out a lot, and then there were the countless other times that Gastown drew me in, enveloped by its undeniable charm. It has always been the home of some of the most interesting places in the city.
Philosophy for a good life?
Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. You’ll sleep at night.