Mark Brand
Mark Brand's life as an entrepreneur began in the summer of 2007 with the opening of his first venture, Boneta Restaurant, at 1 West Cordova.
The inaugural Vancouver ‘Bartender of the Year' had already made a name for himself while managing the ‘wood' at popular Chambar restaurant where his carefully crafted cocktails & gregarious personality drew crowds of regulars as well as frequent media attention.
With a successful start to his first restaurant (in 2008 alone Boneta received over 20 major industry awards) Mark set his sights on the retail world. In June 2008 he launched his independent clothing label and storefront ‘Sharks Hammers' with partner Alex Usow at 56 Powell Street, again, in Gastown.
The businesses continued to succeed and in late 2008 Mark was able to persuade the owners of #6 Powell Street to lease him their long shuttered top floor of this historic corner building in Gassy Jack Square which had housed everything from speakeasy bars to a temporary Vancouver City Hall.
After a full restoration of this beautiful brick & beam room and much anticipation,' The Diamond' was opened in the summer of 2009 to a packed house of eager customers.
Back in the retail world Sharks Hammers gained momentum and Mark secured a lease for a larger space at #55 Powell / 56 Alexander Street with the idea of splitting the space into a half retail shop and half Tokyo style sushi bar.
The idea for Seamonstr Sushi was born and in October 2010 the first rolls were served at the restaurant's 20 foot ‘sea monstr scaled' bar.
But all of these projects have served as schooling for his largest undertaking to date. In July 2010 Mark signed his life away and assumed the entire Save On Meats enterprise located at 43 West Hastings. This landmark building was the former home of Save On Meats Butcher Shop/ Grocery & Seafood and remains a local institution to this day.
The original business shut in 2008 after 52 years in operation and like most Vancouverites, Mark and his crew missed it terribly. A revival was the only option.
Mark's vision is to restore this building back to its former beauty & productivity so that all residents of the area and Vancouver can enjoy a piece of our city's history. A close collaboration with various community programs and initiatives is a top priority for Mark and his team with the collective focus being set on increasing food security in the DTES.
Save On Meats re-opened it's doors to neighborhood applause on June 27th 2011. The newly revitalized space boasts a full commercial commissary kitchen, butcher shop, diner, take away sandwich window and offices housing all of Mark's other business ventures. Plans for a roof top apiary and garden are in the works as are a kitchen share program.
The business employs over 65 workers, many living in the DTES. With strong ties in community initiatives including a meal program for 450 people per day 7 days a week, Save On Meats is a strong anchor in the renewal of Hastings Street.
And coming full circle back to his original business, Boneta recently celebrated three successful years in what was arguably the toughest restaurant climate Vancouver has seen in decades. A move to a new home in the beautiful Garage Development on Water Street was completed in October 2011 while the original Boneta space has stayed in the MB Inc family and is rented out for special events from pop up art shows to community fundraisers and weddings.
As the subject of a docu-series entitled Gastown Gamble, airing on OWN Canada, Mark also makes time to speak at a variety of events from Pecha Kucha Vancouver to Sam Sullivan's Public Salon. Mark is also a founding member of the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association and an active participant in City Council discussion and the advocacy of food security in the DTES.
During a typical day it is easy to spot Mark traveling between his various buildings, usually carrying something heavy.
Mark Brand's life as an entrepreneur began in the summer of 2007 with the opening of his first venture, Boneta Restaurant, at 1 West Cordova.
The inaugural Vancouver ‘Bartender of the Year' had already made a name for himself while managing the ‘wood' at popular Chambar restaurant where his carefully crafted cocktails & gregarious personality drew crowds of regulars as well as frequent media attention.
With a successful start to his first restaurant (in 2008 alone Boneta received over 20 major industry awards) Mark set his sights on the retail world. In June 2008 he launched his independent clothing label and storefront ‘Sharks Hammers' with partner Alex Usow at 56 Powell Street, again, in Gastown.
The businesses continued to succeed and in late 2008 Mark was able to persuade the owners of #6 Powell Street to lease him their long shuttered top floor of this historic corner building in Gassy Jack Square which had housed everything from speakeasy bars to a temporary Vancouver City Hall.
After a full restoration of this beautiful brick & beam room and much anticipation,' The Diamond' was opened in the summer of 2009 to a packed house of eager customers.
Back in the retail world Sharks Hammers gained momentum and Mark secured a lease for a larger space at #55 Powell / 56 Alexander Street with the idea of splitting the space into a half retail shop and half Tokyo style sushi bar.
The idea for Seamonstr Sushi was born and in October 2010 the first rolls were served at the restaurant's 20 foot ‘sea monstr scaled' bar.
But all of these projects have served as schooling for his largest undertaking to date. In July 2010 Mark signed his life away and assumed the entire Save On Meats enterprise located at 43 West Hastings. This landmark building was the former home of Save On Meats Butcher Shop/ Grocery & Seafood and remains a local institution to this day.
The original business shut in 2008 after 52 years in operation and like most Vancouverites, Mark and his crew missed it terribly. A revival was the only option.
Mark's vision is to restore this building back to its former beauty & productivity so that all residents of the area and Vancouver can enjoy a piece of our city's history. A close collaboration with various community programs and initiatives is a top priority for Mark and his team with the collective focus being set on increasing food security in the DTES.
Save On Meats re-opened it's doors to neighborhood applause on June 27th 2011. The newly revitalized space boasts a full commercial commissary kitchen, butcher shop, diner, take away sandwich window and offices housing all of Mark's other business ventures. Plans for a roof top apiary and garden are in the works as are a kitchen share program.
The business employs over 65 workers, many living in the DTES. With strong ties in community initiatives including a meal program for 450 people per day 7 days a week, Save On Meats is a strong anchor in the renewal of Hastings Street.
And coming full circle back to his original business, Boneta recently celebrated three successful years in what was arguably the toughest restaurant climate Vancouver has seen in decades. A move to a new home in the beautiful Garage Development on Water Street was completed in October 2011 while the original Boneta space has stayed in the MB Inc family and is rented out for special events from pop up art shows to community fundraisers and weddings.
As the subject of a docu-series entitled Gastown Gamble, airing on OWN Canada, Mark also makes time to speak at a variety of events from Pecha Kucha Vancouver to Sam Sullivan's Public Salon. Mark is also a founding member of the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association and an active participant in City Council discussion and the advocacy of food security in the DTES.
During a typical day it is easy to spot Mark traveling between his various buildings, usually carrying something heavy.
