Skinny jeans, Converse shoes, thick framed glasses, oversized toques and a few coloured accessories to make the look their own. This is what I observed in the local streets, cafes and restaurants in my walk of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Never have I seen so many like minded people in the same community.
As I spent time in a few of the establishments, I realized that even the owners and managers were of the common thread. It’s no wonder these restaurants and cafes are the talk of the town. Each place has its own look, its own regulars and its own unique personality.
As I strolled along Main Street I was often impressed by the culture of the older businesses as well - the nostalgic barber shop, RX Comics and even 2nd Hand Treasures. They each carried a sense of the community’s history which is what I loved.
So I began to ask myself – what makes this community so unique? PEOPLE!
In most new districts, the city often tries to attract people by talking about their local amenities – the recreation centre, the library, schools, local parks, local business opportunities, etc. They rarely talk about the people that live in the neighbourhood. However when you think of Mount Pleasant, it’s the people I picture first. Not the buildings, not the libraries and not the parks. That’s all a bonus but also an afterthought. The residents are what create the demand for this community - a fabric that is unique to the city and is proud of its originality.
There are very few places that offer the same distinct feeling as Mount Pleasant. Commercial Drive instinctively comes to mind with Gastown and Yaletown not far off – each with its own culture and defined by the residents who live there.
Each community has their own special feature that sets them apart. For Mount Pleasant, it’s the pleasant people. Ranging from young professionals to hipsters and artists to young families, they all share the common bond of enjoying a walkable neighbourhood with character and personality. I encourage you to spend some time there, take in the history, the people and the amazing restaurants and café’s.
Irshaad Ahmad
