Midsummer Night’s Dream + NW Landmark Lost to Fire

Issue #491

Author

Carla McNeil
January 29, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Rain

 😜 Rain Joke - Why do raindrops love music? ❤️🎵

 🔦 Business Spotlight - Neil Douglas Guitar Shop

 🗓️ New West Events - More can’t-miss moments ahead.

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Della T.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - Midsummer Night’s Dream + Fire Downtown New West

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

If you’ve ever wandered just off the beaten track in New Westminster and wondered what kind of magic happens inside the little guitar shop tucked into its own timeless corner of the city, here’s your answer: a whole lot of music, mastery, and stories worth hearing.

For more than half a century, Neil Douglas Guitar Shop has been shaping musicians, mentoring students, restoring beloved instruments, and quietly becoming one of the most respected guitar hubs in the region. And like many great local businesses, its strength comes not from flash or hype, but from deep roots and real expertise.

A Lifetime in Music—and in New West

Owner Neil Douglas began the business in 1968, opening his first shop on Sixth Street before eventually settling into the current location in 1989. The building houses not only the shop but the Douglas family home—a true definition of local living and working woven together.

Neil’s path into the guitar world wasn’t planned. People simply kept asking him to teach, fix, or help, and it grew into a life’s work. Over the decades, he has taught countless students, (even a famous one or two) repaired thousands of instruments, and even built classical guitars played in concerts across Europe. His philosophy? “People just started paying me to do it—why would I do anything else?”

Today, he still teaches—and still loves it most of all.

Where Guitars Come Back to Life

One of the shop’s busiest departments is its repair bench, now run by guitar tech Mark Wolf, who fixes nearly 2,000 guitars a year. Mark began working with Neil in the early ’90s, left to spend 17 years on the road as the guitar tech for Queen and Bad Company, then returned to New West with stories and expertise from around the world.

Repairs come in from everywhere—sometimes even from touring bands passing through, and once from as far away as Australia. And while the shop never name-drops (privacy comes first), their reputation speaks loudly. Customers, musicians, students, and even music store owners across North America recognize the name “Neil Douglas.”

A Teaching Studio with Heart

Before COVID, the shop had 400 lesson students. While numbers dipped during the pandemic, they’re steadily growing again. Each instructor specializes in a different style, and students are thoughtfully matched with the right teacher. If needed, Neil will even help guide someone from one teacher to another—whatever helps them learn best.

And unlike many studio environments, teachers here stay. Some have taught at the shop for 18 to 25 years, a testament to the supportive, sane environment Neil has created by screening out those rare “lunatic fringe” customers who can make teaching miserable.

Quality, Value, and the Truth About Guitars

One of Neil’s biggest passions is helping people understand real quality. There’s a world of difference between $150 guitars and $2,000 guitars—and it’s not about price tags, it’s about craftsmanship. Neil illustrates this by comparing an inexpensive guitar to a hand-built classical instrument he bought directly from Masaru Kohno, one of history’s most celebrated luthiers. He still plays that guitar today; the top is worn where it rested against his chest through years of concerts.

His favourite thing is watching beginners grow. He always starts students on affordable instruments so they can learn the basics before upgrading. From there, the good guitars sell themselves.

Why You Should Stop By

Neil believes the best way to understand guitars—or lessons, or repairs—is through personal contact. The shop doesn’t rely on flashy ads, and it doesn’t push high-pressure sales. Instead, you’ll find conversation, honesty, and decades of hands-on experience.

Whether you're a parent considering lessons, a player needing repairs, or someone who simply appreciates the craft behind an instrument, this is the kind of local treasure worth discovering.

And of course—worth supporting.

Neil Douglas Guitar Shop is proof that expertise, community, and genuine passion can turn a little New West business into a musical cornerstone. To really understand it, all you need to do is walk through the door.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

Address: 379 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.

Phone: 604-525-8512

Already know, like, and trust this business? Be sure to support Neil Douglas Guitar Shop and leave them a Google Review

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Thank you, Della - you’re awesome!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 14.3 2024 - Record low -4.6 2023

🤖 Missed it yesterday? The Tin Man post is still up. Think you can name the spot? 👀 

Follow New West Spotlight on Instagram and Facebook and see if you can guess the location.

Remember, every time you guess the right answer, even when you believe it is already mentioned, your name is entered into the draw!

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

January 29, 2026

🗣️ English Conversation Circles at the Welcome Centre – 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🏘️ Is A Reverse Mortgage Right For You – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

💗 Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program – 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

🍦 Stuff Your Stanley at Rocky Point Ice Cream – 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🧑‍⚕️ Let’s Talk Health Screening – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

January 30, 2026

🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

👪️ Family Place Storytime & Play Lab – 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

📚️ French Reading Buddies (6-9 years) – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🫖 January Social Friday - Chai Naasta – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎮️ 2026 Vancouver Global Game Jam – 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

January 31, 2026

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

📿 Beading Workshop at Fraser River Discovery Centre – 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

💗 Aligned in Health + Wellness – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🧘 Mindful Health Event – 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

☕️ Women Rising: A Circle of Connection & Support – 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🙏 Light Has Come - An Evening of Worship – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎭️ Ventastic: Reimagining the Art of Ventriloquism – 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM

📖 Ukrainian Storytime (All Ages) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎸 Live Band Swing Dance with Westside Swing – 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM

💃 New West's Only 2SLGBTQIA+ Disco Dance Party – 8:00 PM to 10:45 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

On February 7, 2026, Jörgen Dance returns to the stage with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a whimsical new ballet that brings Shakespeare’s beloved comedy to life in a uniquely Canadian way. Choreographed by Bengt Jörgen, this original production reimagines the classic tale of love, mischief, and magical fairies against the breathtaking backdrop of Canada’s northern landscapes.

Set to Felix Mendelssohn’s enchanting score, the ballet blends humour, romance, and fantasy with the wonder of the wilderness. Familiar characters tumble through moonlit forests, playful enchantments, and mistaken identities, all captured through expressive movement and vibrant storytelling. The result is a joyful, visually rich performance that feels both timeless and fresh.

Designed to delight audiences of all ages, this family-friendly ballet celebrates imagination, nature, and the enduring magic of Shakespeare—through a distinctly Canadian lens.

🎟️ Tickets for the 2025–26 Massey Theatre Presents Mainstage Series are on sale.
💸 Save $10 with early bird pricing until September 15.
👉 https://www.masseytheatre.com/event/a-midsummer-nights-dream/

✨ A magical night of dance awaits.

A devastating fire has left a hole in the heart of New Westminster's dining scene. Ki Sushi, a beloved Japanese restaurant that had operated at the corner of Eighth and Carnarvon streets since 1997, was completely destroyed in a fire that broke out just after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27.

Located steps from the New Westminster SkyTrain station and behind the Anvil Centre, the building had long served the community, first as the Hawaiian Village restaurant and later as home to Ki Sushi. Over the decades, it earned a loyal following — both among locals and those who traveled from nearby cities just for a meal.

The fire, which appears to have started in the kitchen, engulfed the restaurant overnight. Firefighters launched an aggressive aerial attack from outside the building, hampered by dangerous interior conditions. Despite their quick response, the fire chief confirmed that the structure is a total loss. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Longtime patrons and residents have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of the spot, recalling everything from warm staff to cozy private booths. The restaurant also held a special place in local history, serving as a popular dining destination during major city events, including the high-profile Pickton murder trial at the nearby courthouse.

The destruction of the building also marks the loss of a broader piece of New Westminster’s past. In the 1990s, it hosted karaoke nights in its basement, making it a cultural hub long before Ki Sushi moved in.

As the community mourns, many hope that Ki Sushi’s story isn’t over — and that one day, it may reopen and reclaim its spot in New West’s food scene.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

💧 Why do raindrops love music? ❤️🎵 

🎶 Because they enjoy a good drop beat! 🥁 

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