Time is ticking on the venerable Turner building, once home to Ian’s Jubilee Coffee Shop, but supporters aren’t about to let its memories fade away.
Gareth Gaudin is part of the Save Ian’s Coffee Shop Facebook group, and has stepped up to raise money for whatever comes next for the old structure at Richmond Road and Birch Street. Gaudin, a professional cartoonist and artist, is selling limited-edition prints for $20 of a drawing he did of the building.
They are available at his store, Legends Comics & Books, a business that he said has strong ties to visiting Turner’s store — next to the coffee shop — as a five-year-old.
“In October 1978, I bought my first ever comic book there. It was Godzilla No. 17 and it completely changed my life.”
Almost from that moment, Gaudin began buying and selling comics and has never stopped, he said.
He is happy to be part of support efforts for the place where it all started.
“I’d like to do my part to have it remembered, at least. It’s such a beautiful piece of architecture.”
The crumbling Turner building, which has been shuttered for nearly 13 years, was recommended for demolition in a report presented to Victoria council last month. Falling pieces of the structure led to closure of sidewalks in the area.
Council voted Oct. 24 to give the Turner family 28 calendar days to make decisions about the building and what to do with it. At least one person was inside the building Saturday doing work, but did not want to comment.
“The city’s asking for a plan for what to do about the space, so it seems logical that the next step the Turner family would do to save the space is to do something to secure it,” said Shawn DeWolfe, one of the co-ordinators of the Save Ian’s Coffee Shop group, which has more than 50 members. “That way it stops deteriorating any further.”
He said the members of the group just want to do what they can to help. Another Facebook group, the Ian’s Jubilee Coffee Shop Fanclub, has about 230 members and is also offering support.
“We’re getting together as advocates, trying to raise visibility and make ourselves available to try to help with the hands-on steps of what needs to happen next. Most of the fundraising is for an eventual restaurant that would ever go back in what comes next.”
DeWolfe said he believes the building can survive.
“I am optimistic, based on what really needs to happen, that there is the capacity to at least save it from the wrecking ball and go from there.”
Like Gaudin, he draws from good memories as he works to help the Turner family and hopefully keep the building standing.
“Up until it closed, I would go there whenever I was in the neighborhood.”
He said he has found out that many people he knows also have strong connections to Ian Turner and his eatery.
“I didn’t really believe so many friends of mine had such a profound impact from Ian Turner and from the place. Everywhere I turn I find friends who say ‘Ian did this for me’ or ‘Ian did this for my family.’ ”
Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said harsh weather like the city experienced Saturday can be tough on an old structure like the Turner building.
“Fundamentally, in the end, it’s about public safety.
“Certainly, I know people are working to save or preserve the Turner building.”
A family representative was not available for comment.
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