Border City Furniture – Facebook
New artwork is helping to beautify downtown Lloydminster at a local business.
Border City Furniture has new signs in the windows showcasing the business through art.
“I love the fact it portrayed me and my business, with my business it’s me, the guy that works for me, Ryan, that’s why we’re holding up our logo, when you walk into our shop it’s us, this is who we are, so I wanted to showcase that,” said Calvin Pittao, owner of Border City Furniture.
Ryan Hogg, who works with Pittao, has been with Border City Furniture for 10 years and is considered part of the family.
The new artwork was created and designed by Ironjet Promotions and was funded partially thanks to a grant from the city.
“I saw the grant online and was familiar with the downtown area revitalization project; I didn’t know they were doing a façade improvement or whether I would qualify for it,” said Pittao.
He says the artwork design represents his family showing the family identity of the business.
“Well, I’m a family business, I’ve got three boys, they are included and have been since they were born, they’re a part of this,” said Pittao.
This isn’t the only piece of art around Border City Furniture as Pittao had a mural installed in the alley behind the building. It was installed 10 years ago by local Lloydminster artist Michelle Lake.
The mural concept is a Lloydminster postcard and represents key facets of the city.
“I’m born and raised in Lloydminster, that’s what makes me as a business unique here,” said Pittao. “So, I wanted that to showcase it.”
He explained he had the idea to put up a mural in the alley after a trip to Toronto, Ont.
“If you’ve ever been to Toronto, it takes the old rail carts down from the airport to downtown Toronto, so you go the whole trip down the old rail tracks,” said Pittao. “For quite a bit of it you’re going through graffiti and some beautiful art, one thing that really hit me is that nothing was tagged over.”
Border City Furniture first opened 19 years ago and Pittao was the manager at the time. Five years after it opened, he took over ownership achieving a lifelong dream.
“It’s done well for me and my family, I’ve always wanted since I was a child. To be a business owner is something I aspired to, and here I am,” he said.
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