“Mr. Kim is a first generation Korean immigrant and proud owner of Kim’s Convenience, a variety store located in the heart of downtown Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood. There, he spends time serving an eclectic array of customers, catching petty thieves, and helpfully keeping the police apprised of illegally parked Japanese cars. As the neighbourhood quickly gentrifies, Mr Kim is offered a generous sum of money to sell - enough to allow him and his wife to finally retire. But Kim’s Convenience is more than just his livelihood - it's his legacy.” - Ins Choi
Legacy is a central theme Ins Choi's play Kim’s Convenience, and it resonates deeply with the stories we are sharing in the Our Store: Your Story exhibition at Riverside Studios. This exhibition brings to life the experiences of local family-run businesses and their dedicated owners, who, much like Mr. Kim, are passionate about their stores, their families, and the legacies they are building.
Every store you see photographed in this exhibition has been chosen for its compelling narrative. These are not just places of business; they are pillars of their communities, behind each unique store is a dream coupled with generations of hard work.
The entrepreneurs featured in Our Store: Your Story are all united by a common aspiration: to run a family store that secures their future and that of their children. They understand, as Mr. Kim does, that a store can be much more than a source of income—it can be a living testament to one’s heritage, values, and love for community. Each store, whether a small bookshop or a bustling supermarket, tells a story of perseverance and pride, of cultural heritage and personal identity.
Among the eclectic array of the 11 featured stores, you will find the 102-year-old Atlantis Bookshop, Korea Foods & Seoul Plaza, a hugely popular Korean supermarket, Camera City, a vintage camera and repair shop and KATABA, a specialist Japanese knife store and Giovanni’s of Covent Garden, a multigenerational Italian restaurant which is built on the owner’s love for his family and food. Every store included in this exhibition is proud of their long-lasting legacy, culture and values they represent, standing as testament to the enduring power of family businesses.
We are proud to present these stories through the lens of Shona Louise, a talented photographer with over five years of experience in theatre, live events, and portrait photography. Shona’s love for capturing memories and moments has led her to focus primarily on rehearsal and production photography, beautifully blending her passion for theatre with her art. As a disabled woman, Shona is also dedicated to empowering other disabled individuals through the power of photography, lending her unique perspective to every project she undertakes. Her work spans across West End, Off-West End, and regional theatres, as well as with disability-led theatre companies.
Join us in celebrating these incredible family businesses. Through their stories, may you be inspired to reflect on your own journey, the dreams you pursue, and the legacy you hope to leave behind.
Curated by Shona Louise, Charlotte Smith, Polly Virgo and Adam Blanshay Productions.