In 2013, Fernwood NRG purchased a small white house and lot at 1310 Gladstone Avenue. We dreamed of adding more affordable residential space and local employment in the heart of Fernwood. Our goal was to build a new mixed-use building with ground floor commercial space and rental apartments above.

This purchase started us on a journey filled with conversations with neighbours, presentations to City Council, construction contract negotiations, and the leasing of four new apartments. Along the way, we also welcomed the Fernwood Yoga Den into the family of social enterprises that support the Fernwood NRG’s charitable work and opened the doors of the Yoga Den’s new studio space at 1310 Gladstone.

The brick building that now stands at 1310 Gladstone realized our dream and is part of the growing heart of Fernwood Village.

Now, nine years after we set out on our journey—and after an unprecedented pandemic—it’s with a heavy heart that we will be closing the Yoga Den and putting the building at 1310 Gladstone up for sale.

This past year and the COVID-19 pandemic have been challenging in so many ways for the neighbours and businesses in Fernwood. Fernwood NRG has felt these impacts too. Our staff and organization have worked tirelessly to keep essential services like childcare, family programs, and the Good Food Box operating. Every day we see how Fernwoodians need our services and support now more than ever.

And, like many other Fernwood businesses, Fernwood NRG’s social enterprises (Fernwood Yoga Den, Studio 1313, and the Good Food Box) have felt the impacts of the pandemic. The Yoga Den, in particular, has been stretched thin in its role as a community gathering space (which has been closed and reopened multiple times) and as the main commercial tenant of 1310 Gladstone.

We’re sad to say goodbye to the Yoga Den and Maya Health—they’ve helped grow a mindful and inclusive community in the heart of Fernwood. Thank you to the community, practitioners, and teachers for their support and for working with us over the years.

  • The Yoga Den will operate as normal until July 4, 2021
  • All booking systems and accounts will be closed on July 5, 2021
  • Kids Yoga Camps and Maya Health Clinic will run as scheduled until August 2021

The decision to close the Yoga Den and sell 1310 Gladstone was not an easy one, but ultimately necessary to help Fernwood NRG focus on our core programs and resources during this trying time. There are exciting things happening in Fernwood (like the Vic High Neighbourhood Learning Centre and CRD Caledonia Housing project) and refocusing our resources now will help ready Fernwood NRG to expand our childcare and community programs into these new spaces.

We’ll keep dreaming big and collaborating with our neighbours to make Fernwood a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood. Fernwood NRG will continue to operate the Cornerstone Building and Park Place apartments and our other social enterprises, Studio 1313 and the Good Food Box. We’re proud of the building at 1310 Gladstone and excited for its next chapter.

  • 1310 Gladstone will be listed for sale in May 2021
  • The main and basement floors of the building will be listed for lease as part of the sale process
  • The residential tenants at 1310 Gladstone will continue their leases regardless of the building sale

Thanks for your ongoing support, Fernwood – stay funky!