A Sapperton business owner embraced modern technology – only to have it taken away by thieves.
Clara Kovats, who operates Urban Bliss Spa inside Cadeaux Boutique and Day Spa in Sapperton, “succumbed to technology” and purchased a laptop – only to have it stolen a few months later.
“It was hidden behind my desk,” she said. “You actually had to bend over, look under the desk to see it. It was a bit upsetting. Now I need to go out and buy a new laptop.”
When travelling to visit her clients on Vancouver Island, Kovats could take the laptop with her and quickly book appointments online. She notes that clients were thrilled she wasn’t booking appointments “old school” anymore.
Kovats was touched when one of her clients gave her a Sony laptop. While she needs something lighter and more compact to meet her travel needs, she’s grateful for the gesture.
“I am feeling a little violated,” she said. “The fact that my laptop was stolen is bad. I couldn’t believe my client – she said, ‘We want to pay it forward, we have this extra laptop and you have to have this.’ It brought tears to my eyes. Out of something bad, it gave me a new look at human kindness.”
Because the information was on a cloud-based system, Kovats said her customers’ information wasn’t on the laptop’s hard drive and was protected. New Westminster police responded to the theft, and she’s keeping her fingers crossed that the stolen laptop may turn up.
“Keep your computer locked, in a drawer or somewhere out of sight,” she warned other businesses. “You have to have it bolted down. Keep your phones and everything on yourself if you can.”
Open for business
An old favourite and a popular new restaurant are open for business in the Trapp + Holbrook building on Columbia Street.
Big Star Sandwich Company, which opened on 12th Street in March 2013, recently reopened in its new digs at 664 Columbia St. Along with its menu of sandwiches, the eatery offers a selection of vintage sodas.
A couple doors down is El Santo, which offers contemporary Mexican cuisine and aims to “redefine” what diners think they know about Mexican food. In addition to serving up lunch and dinner and assorted beverages, the restaurant at 680 Columbia St. features a vast selection of tequilas.
Send news from the New West business scene to Theresa, [email protected]
