Mystical Pastimes looks to the future
Dawn Hollender took her previous experience dealing in darts supplies for the Moose Lodge and turned it into her own business, Mystical Pastimes, to get community members interested in hobbies. Olivier Cadotte The Eastern Door
For Dawn Hollender, owner of Mystical Pastimes, it all started with her dart league at the Kahnawake Moose Lodge.
“I literally just went around and because nobody had a supplier in town, I started with that,” said Hollender.
She explained that she and many others had to order online or drive as far as Cornwall to find what they needed. Because it was turning out to be expensive, she decided to cut out the travel expenses, start buying from the supplier, and begin selling them herself.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic started, and that’s when model kits, particularly those for the tabletop game Warhammer 40,000, entered the picture.
“During COVID, nobody was able to do a lot of stuff, and we thought there needs to be a store where we can get paint things to do stuff to keep yourself busy,” said Hollender. “That’s pretty much where the idea came from to expand. We talked to a few people, and they all wanted Warhammer, so we got into it.”
Hollender got into it as a player, too, building four armies.
“It’s fun. If anybody’s ever played Dungeons and Dragons back in the day, this is a whole new level,” said Hollender.
“It’s amazing. There are so many different stories you can do with each faction.”
She started to sell Warhammer and other hobby supplies from her home with her boyfriend Tekarihwakhen Herne.
That turned into Mystical Pastimes, which will be opening as a store separate from their house in the Clay Mountains neighbourhood.
Also during COVID, she took Tewatohnhi’saktha’s Entrepreneurship Course, which she said has helped her a lot with Mystical Pastimes.
“It teaches you how to start a business, marketing, all that kind of stuff. Once you take that, you’re eligible to get bursaries and loans and grants. They have been helping us a lot,” said Hollender.
Like for darts supplies, the goal was to have a place in Kahnawake where people can get the kits and supplies they need, without having to go to Chateauguay or Montreal or order it online.
The store, located right next to their house, may be on the smaller side, but it is loaded with a variety of hobby supplies, Warhammer included, but also diamond art, metal 3D models, puzzles, board games, and, of course, supplies for darts.
The paints and tools used for Warhammer kits can be used for other models and crafts, too, said Hollender.
On Saturday, May 9, opening day, they are planning to have a barbecue to celebrate the store’s opening, with free hot dogs, macaroni salad, as well as tote bags for the first 50 visitors.
“We want people just to come check it out. It’s going to be fun,” said Hollender.
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The future goal, if the store is successful, is to get a location more central in Kahnawake, where it’s easier to reach for youth in the community, and get a place where game nights and painting workshops can be held.
If they get interested in one hobby, they may get interested in more by learning them or seeing them at the store, Hollender said.
