THE TALK OF THE TOWN

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What Do We Have For You This Month?

Welcome to “The Talk of The Town” for October, 2025. Click on the following links to find:

  • West End News & Notes: The closure of a West End Starbucks raises concerns about a tribute to a local hero, Gordon Neighbourhood House unveils two House Posts by carver John Spence, and we remember the life and community service of volunteer Donnie Charles.

  • West End / Coal Harbour In The News: In case you missed it, here’s a round-up of last month’s news stories from our community.

West End News & Notes

The former starbucks location at denman and robson.

DENMAN & ROBSON STARBUCKS CLOSES
Future of Local Hero Tribute Uncertain

In the last week of September the Starbucks coffee shop at the corner of Denman and Robson permanently closed, one of at least 124 Starbucks abrupt closures across North America, including eight in Metro Vancouver.

The closure of the Robson outlet has raised the question of what will become of the Joe Average painting commemorating the sacrifice of Tony McNaughton. 

In 2000 McNaughton was the manager of the Starbucks at the corner of Robson and Bidwell when the ex-husband of an employee entered the coffee shop wielding a butcher knife to attack his ex-wife.

Artist Joe Average’s tribute to stabbing victim Tony McNaughton.

McNaughton blocked the man’s assault and told his employee to run. He was then stabbed. The woman involved crossed the street to call for help and McNaughton was later taken to St Paul’s Hospital where he died. The perpetrator was charged with second degree murder. 

The story made headlines across the globe, including a write up on the BBC’s website, as McNaughton was an immigrant from Northern Ireland.

McNaughton’s act, basically saving the life of his employee who would otherwise have been dead in the hands of her ex, is commemorated by a painting by beloved West End artist Joe Average and plaque at the Starbucks. When that location was closed the painting and plaque were relocated to the Starbucks at Denman and Robson, where it remained until last month’s closure.

The West End Journal has spoken to staff at two other West End coffee shops who expressed an interest in having the memorial relocated to their locations, to keep this piece of West End history in the neighbourhood.

A Starbucks manager we spoke to told us that Starbucks senior management will be discussing this with the McNaughton family and that the final decision will be theirs. The late Joe Average’s sister has since reported on his Facebook page that discussions are underway. The hope is that this tribute to a heroic West Ender will soon be on public display at a new location.

HOUSE POSTS UNVEILED AT GORDON NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

Two house posts now makr the entrance to gordon neighbourhood house.

In September Gordon Neighbourhood House (GNH) held a special ceremony, attended by community members and special guests, to unveil two House Posts, created by wood carver and artist John Spence of the Squamish Nation.  

The House Posts depict two important symbols: the Thunderbird, protector of the Coast Salish People, the lands, the trees, the waters, and spiritual protection, and the Grizzly Bear, protector of the forest, the trees, and the animals.

House Posts are monumental carvings that carry deep cultural meaning, serving as markers of identity, history, and belonging. This project brings a new landmark to the West End—one that increases the visibility of Indigenous culture and stands as a lasting reminder of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples’ enduring relationship with these lands and waters. 

Carver and artist john spence at work on a mural for gordon neighbouhood house in 2021.

Part of The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC’s Strategic Transformation Framework, this House Post project reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation, decolonization, and building neighbourhood houses that are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to community needs. 

“Together, we will honour the teachings embedded in this work of art, celebrate its significance for our community, and reflect on how we can continue to walk the path of reconciliation” stated GNH in its announcement of the event.

IN MEMORIUM
Donnie Charles

Don Charles, known to family and friends as Donnie, was a deeply engaged neighbour who touched many lives, and generously gave of his time and energy to Gordon Neighbourhood House, and many other community causes.

At Gordon Neighbourhood House, over the years, he took on many community roles, including volunteering at the Attic Thrift Store, volunteering for special events, weekly meal deliveries and grocery shopping for homebound seniors, and was a Neighbourhood Small Grant Committee Member, a program that supports community projects in the West End. 

Don also hosted annual holiday dinners at his building, The Lauren on Comox each, for more than 25 neighbours who did not have family in town. He also created and tended to the beautiful gardens at the corner of Broughton and Comox and, an avid gardener, won awards for his own balcony garden.

Donnie was born on November 11, 1947 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan and lived in the small town of Valparaiso where his father Ted was the community blacksmith, and his mother May was a busy homemaker raising seven children.

 In 1952 the family born moved to Chilliwack BC. where Donnie attended Chilliwack Central School for elementary grades and finished Grade 9 at Chilliwack Junior High School. he entered the workforce working at various restaurants, then completed training as a baker and began working for National System of Baking as a baker specializing in cake decorating. He worked his way up in the company to manager of bakeries in Edmonton and Calgary, AB  and St. Catherines, ON. 

The West End community salutes Donnie Charles and will long remember his service to others. 

West End - Coal Harbour In The News

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Thank you!
Kevin Dale McKeown
Editor & Publisher
editor@thewestendjournal.ca