Mount Pleasant Vendor of the Week
As another summer market season draws to a close here at Dude Chilling Park, we are excited to feature cocktail favorite Dickie’s Ginger for our final week! Stephen Tufts, owner of Dickie’s, has found the perfect balance of fresh ginger, fresh lemon, and cane sugar, producing each delicious batch of ginger beer by hand here in Vancouver. We got in touch with Stephen to find out more about Dickie’s and his summer here at #MPFM.
How did your business get started and when?
I started my business at the end of March 2014, selling for the first time at an East Side Flea event. I just really wanted to be involved in the small business community of Vancouver making something people loved. Ginger beer was the best idea I had and also a personal obsession of mine. Seemed like a good fit so I just decided to go for it!
What varieties of ginger beer do you produce? What is your best seller? And your personal favorite?
Lots! I think I’ve done almost 20 flavors at this point.
The best seller is still the original, followed by the “Bangkok Brew” flavor (lemongrass, lime leaf, and mint). Although I recently tracked down some frozen spruce tips leftover from spring and it sold like crazy! So I’ll definitely be doing that one again when they’re back in season.
My personal favorite was “Forest Fire” which had spruce, pine, chipotles and chilies. The raspberry also turned out really well this year. The special flavors are a mix of seasonal products and things that pique my curiosity. They are always limited release though so your favorite flavor one week might be gone the next.
Do you provide reusable bottles? Can customers bring their own bottle?
Yes. They are $4 for a 1L growler. Customers are always welcome to bring their own bottle.
What is the largest quantity of ginger beer a customer has ever bought at one time?
14L, it was crazy! Someone brought 7 full size (2L) growlers to fill. There was quite the lineup behind them by the time I was finally finished filling them all.
Where else can we find your ginger beer in Mount Pleasant?
Several places – Dock Lunch, 33 Acres, Cartems Donuts on Main, Elysian Coffee on Ontario, Don’t Argue! Pizzeria, and The August Market.
It was so great to have you at the market this season! What do you love about #MPFM?
The customers! I think they are some of the friendliest around. I always get wrapped up in good conversations at the Mount Pleasant market. I also live closest to that market so it really feels like my community.
Come and fill a growler of Dickie’s at the final market this Sunday, featuring a special Thanksgiving themed flavor! Dickie’s Ginger can also be found at the Nat Bailey Winter Market beginning in November.
Website: http://www.dickiesginger.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/DickiesGinger
