Women of Wortley
Shops and services in London’s Old South
A city at its best functions as a harmonious collection of great neighbourhoods, like Wortley Village. Wortley is in part defined by its great parks, charming residential streets and quaint commercial area, but there is also a supportive spirit that echos small town values. That energy is enhanced by business owners and operators like the following group of women. In seeing why each has chosen to be part of this tightly knit community you will also see why Wortley Village has become a shop, dine, play and stay destination for Londoners and visitors from far and wide.
Judy Armstrong & Kathryn Armstrong
Village Property Management London Inc.
Judy Armstrong started Village Property Management in her basement in 2013 with six properties. Now located in Old South and co-owned with her daughter Kathryn, the company has expanded to employ six property managers and works with more than 55 condominium corporations in Southwestern Ontario. Judy attributes the company’s success to its accessibility. “We still have a small-company feel and we take pride in having an open door policy. It’s a friendly environment for anyone coming in. Most of our business is from referrals.”
Judy and Kathryn are lifelong learners, with Judy going back to school after her children were grown to finish a Bachelor’s degree in English and Sociology. “It was a lot of fun,” she says. “I had a different perspective from when I started university out of high school.”
• vpmlondon.com
Anna Arsenis
Karpos Mediterranean Style Dried Nuts & Fruits
Anna Arsenis and her late husband Stelios opened Karpos Mediterranean Style Dried Nuts & Fruits in Wortley Village almost 10 years ago, in 2016. “We are family-oriented and we love providing quality products for our customers,” says Anna. “We offer a large selection of fresh-roasted nuts, carefully sourced from all over the world.”
Anna also prepares Greek food and desserts from scratch for purchase in her store, available late afternoon Tuesdays and Fridays. “Our spanikopita and baklava are made fresh each day,” she says, adding that 80% of her homemade dishes are vegetarian.
Ice cream and Greek-style coffee are also served up on site. “In the summer we have the patio and people enjoy stopping by for a treat.” She also encourages her customers to bring their own containers to take home quality olive oil in bulk.
• karposdrynuts.ca
Andrea DeKay
Flux Pottery
Flux Pottery has been in its renovated location on Wortley Road for more than a year now, and Andrea DeKay says the public has been really supportive of her business. “I’ve had a good first year and a great reception
from the community.”
Andrea had a career in law before opening her studio and shop. “Starting your own businesses is challenging, but I have no regrets.” She decided to create her own signature style for her pottery. “I have developed my own glazes through hundreds of tests to achieve a specific texture and colour palette,” says Andrea. “My customers tell me that they really love the colours”.
Andrea also offers workshops at her studio. “It’s an intimate space and we keep the group small for an elevated experience.”
Andrea will be part of the juried London Artist Studio Tour in April.
• fluxpottery.ca
Diane Gordon
London Living Real Estate
Relationships, respect and hard work are the cornerstones of Diane Gordon’s success in the real estate market. Diane and her husband Ainsley have owned London Living Real Estate for over 40 years. “It’s a privilege to guide people through the process and in some cases through life changes. I have worked with different generations in some families.”
Honesty and integrity are principles she stands on. She is also tenacious. “I came from really hard-working parents,” says Diane. “I don’t give up. You roll up your sleeves and you buckle in and get the job done.”
Diane enjoys volunteering as the chairperson of Christmas in Wortley Village, which continues to expand. “I really care about the community and helping people,” she says. This past year, 100 Christmas hampers were handed out.
• londonlivingrealestate.com
