Lori Littlejohn saw an opportunity and jumped at the chance to expand her horizons in a related field.
Littlejohn, 46, decided to purchase the former Cosmo Package and Label Design business at 2863 Oak St. in Chemainus from Clair Forshaw, changing the name slightly to Cosmo Apothecary. Opening day was Tuesday, July 6.
“We’ll do a grand opening here once I catch my breath,” said Littlejohn.
She won’t be emphasizing the graphic design portion of the business as much as Forshaw, but will still accommodate anyone seeking those services. Littlejohn’s specialty lies in a different area, but she plans to neatly package what she already knows with aspects that will be a learning experience.
“I’m a yoga teacher,” Littlejohn indicated. “I’ve been teaching yoga for about 14 years. I do teach yoga here as well, although the last year’s been hard.”
She’s conducted classes on her own via Zoom during COVID from her home and plans to continue teaching with Samantha Fincham at Fincham’s new studio in the fall.
“I’m also into the essential oil world,” Littlejohn noted. “That’s what brought me to Clair. I was making up our potions and lotions.”
The two became friends and started doing classes together on how to make hand sanitizers and other products.
“I plan on running classes like that in the fall, for sure,” added Littlejohn.
She now has a storefront to run classes as conditions allow during COVID protocols and a place to sell products.
“It’s in my wheelhouse,” Littlejohn emphasized. “It felt like a good fit.”
She’s never one to turn away from a challenge or to do something different and creative in life.
Littlejohn was born and grew up in Miramichi, New Brunswick and lived there until she was 20.
“My whole family’s still there,” she pointed out.
Littlejohn eventually came to Vancouver and lived there for quite some time. It’s also where she met her husband. Before arriving in Chemainus three years ago, they also lived in Creston and remote Stewart, B.C.
Littlejohn hopes to bring in as many essential oils and healing products as she can in keeping with the apothecary name.
Cosmo Apothecary is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
