On Friday April 1, 2025 we announced our 3 HHC Faces for our upcoming HHC Saint John event on May 27, 2025 at Fusion East Taproom.

Each of these women are celebrating an incredible accomplishment and we are absolutely honoured to recognize and celebrate them at our upcoming event.

 
TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 14 @ 9 AM

My biggest accomplishment is after working for 35 years for other companies. I retired in Oct 2023, then an opportunity presented itself to me to own my own business... a dream I had for over 25 years to own my own consignment store.  It proves to me that you can still follow your dreams...even at 57 years old!  I have rebranded my store inside and outside...to turn it into a lovely,  warm, and welcoming Boutique. The Consign Boutique Saint John is a little oasis in the middle of a busy shopping district of Saint John (East Point Shopping Plaza). The vibe of the store is serene, relaxing, warm, and very welcoming. People tell me all the time they could stay for hours because they feel so good when shopping for that perfect treasure. Just yesterday a woman told me she was going to go to the mall, but decided to come to my store away from the bustle of people.  She left with a couple of great finds, and relaxed! 

After a decade of running her shops in St. Andrews and Fredericton, Krista expanded her vision by opening a new location in Uptown Saint John last June.

She dreamed of creating a magical shopping experience—think Hogwarts charm meets old-world elegance. When she discovered the perfect spot, she knew it was meant to be.

Emporia now calls the historic old city hall building on Prince William Street home. Its stunning architecture sets the stage for a truly transportive experience, as if you’ve stepped into another world.

Though Krista was raised in Harvey, her roots run deep in Saint John—both of her parents are from the city. Her grandfather even ran an import/export business on the waterfront, just a stone’s throw from where Emporia now stands.

As a child, she often visited her grandmother on Douglas Avenue and grew up with a deep affection for Saint John. Opening a shop here is more than a business move—it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

At First City School of Dance, we are proud to reflect on the achievements of this past year, where our commitment to inclusion and accessibility in dance has made significant strides. Our mission has always been to make dance accessible to everyone, prioritizing inclusion in everything we do. We are committed to providing high-quality dance education for all, believing that dance is not just about movement but about connection, confidence, expression, and growth. In 2021, after completing training in Adaptive Dance techniques at the Boston Ballet School, I launched our Adaptive Dance Program, the first and only of its kind in New Brunswick, welcoming dancers with physical and intellectual disabilities into a space where they can truly thrive. A shining example of the program's impact is Olivia, a 16-year-old dancer with Down syndrome, who has grown into a compassionate and confident leader, mentoring younger dancers and developing employability skills through a volunteer placement in our summer camps in partnership with Inclusion NB this past year. Olivia continues to volunteer in the very Adaptive Dance class that first ignited her passion for dance, further demonstrating her dedication and growth. Her experience highlights the importance of inclusive arts programming in fostering key workplace skills like communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership, and emphasizes how such programs empower young people to excel both artistically and professionally. This commitment to inclusivity and representation is vital for building a future workforce that is diverse, equitable, and accepting. We remain dedicated to creating a welcoming and empowering environment for all dancers, continuing the work to ensure that everyone feels seen, valued, and supported in their journey through the art of movement.