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Olaf Birkeland on a ship
from Norway to Canada.
[1930s] |
Olaf Birkeland and his brother Mike arrived in Vancouver from Norway in
1930's. In 1939, when they set up their wool processing business on Main Street, they never
imagined that the company would be going strong
years later as the result of
the energy of three generations of Birkelands.
Norm's grandfather in Norway was the head carder and dyer
in a wool plant who taught his sons the wool trade. Two decades and some new
Birkelands later, Norm began working under his father Olaf in the 1950's and
became the head wool carder in the family business with his brother Gordon.
Norm is now teaching the business and the skills of wool carding to his daughter, Cara who
is the 4th generation Birkeland to run the carding machine!
The Birkeland business originally emphasized wool processing and batting with
the two ton, over 100 years old belt-driven carding machine. The carding machine
almost didn't make it to Main street when a dispute over import duties irritated
Olaf. Canada Customs wanted him to pay duty on the machine and, ever the
negotiator, he told Customs to dump it into the ocean, he wasn't going to pay.
(His wife Anna made him sleep on the couch that night!) Eventually, Customs backed down and the machine has been supporting the family
for more than six decades!
The business now stocks a wide variety of yarns for knitters and crocheters
as well as supplies for spinners, weavers and felters. In 1999, Birkeland Bros.
Wool jumped into the 21st century by becoming the first BC wool store to go
online with a website, email and international ordering and shipping!
Working closely with her father on the retail side, Cara
likes to say that she has been working at Birkeland Bros. Wool since before her
birth and that wool is in her genes! Even her loyal husky dog, Midnight, comes
to work at the shop!
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Oivind Birkeland (brother to Olaf and Michael) using
the Birkeland Carding machine in the factory in Norway.
[1930s] |
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Peter Birkeland (brother to Olaf and Michael)
sorting wool rags for picking in the factory in Norway.
[1940s] |
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Olaf Birkeland, Having a break during the store renovations.
[1958] |
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Olaf Birkeland, the Head Carder at Birkeland Brothers.
[1966] |
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Norman and Gordon, sons of Olaf Birkeland.
[1993] |
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Norman and Cara, son and granddaughter of Olaf Birkeland.
[2008] |
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Midnight, our
year old Siberian Husky.
Her official position at Birkeland Bros is: Greeter.
Midnight loves to be petted!
She also loves to steal lipstick, food,
and any other edible items you may bring into the store!
[2009] |
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