While we are still welcoming the New Beginnings of the New Year, I am happy to have this conversation with my dear friend, Derek Morley. Derek, (seen in photo to the right with his life partner, Jasmine B, Vanessa from Sound Baths and me, Yafa), owns Modern Primitive, located on the second level in Cornwall Square, (1 Water Street, Cornwall, ON), is a community builder, a traveler and now a father.
Talking about Community Building, business and belonging, Derek, please tell us more about yourself.
So, I grew up in Brockville, Ontario, attended St. Mary High School and finished my high school at KCVI in Kingston, where I focused on theatre and hitchhiking. After graduating I made my first international travel to Mexico and Guatemala. The trip was a life changing experience. I fell in love with travel and I made my first commercial import: one backpack full of Guatemalan tapestries, hackey sacks and folk jewelry. 35 years later we have 5 stores, wholesale clients all over Canada and an amazing network of artisan partners around the world.
Why did you choose Cornwall where you have had Modern Primitive for almost 4 years now?
In 2020 I was invited to install a Christmas Kiosk by my friend Leo Doucet. We had worked together for many years at the 1000 island mall in Brockville and he had just taken the reins at Cornwall Square. What began as a 2 month contract quickly expanded to a rolling lease once we saw the enthusiastic response from the community. Within the first week we knew this store had great potential and the community has been with us all the way.
For you, what was the hardest part in the journey of belonging to the business world and community building as well?
The hardest part is definitely the accounting and bureaucratic side of business. The community building comes from a innate desire to learn from others and share my view of the world.
Thanks to the great managers, employees and volunteers, we have had over the years, such and George and Vanessa, (famous by now in Cornwall for their amazing sound baths) and Yafa Goawily for her creation of our popular Open Day first Saturday of every month. Jenn Birder, our current manager, is another Cornwall legend and a highly esteemed practitioner of energy healing. The list goes on and on and I would be remiss if I did not give a heartfelt thank you to Johanne, Michael, Neil, Jenny, Josee, Alex, Xaiden, Bella and so many more people who have brought their own personal touch, a level of presence and open heartedness that make this project such a worthwhile one.
Thank you to all of our supporters over the years, especially you, ourt clients and guests. Your support is the lifeblood of our project. We humbly invite you to get more involved by connecting with the many creative practitioners and partners who make our “Open Days” a meeting place of entrepreneurs.
If you would like to be a guest artisan in our open day, don’t hesitate to drop us a message or a comment. We prioritize new attendees, and would love to discover how our small businesses can support one another.
What are the future plans that your’e dreaming to achieve in the near future?
In 2026 I’d like to spend more time with my family. I’m also in discussions for a documentary film and a trip to Malta.
I’ll be in Thailand and Bali this February. I’m also vendor coordinator for the Bhakti Bliss Yoga and Kirtan festival Aug 7-9.
Thank you Derek. We can’t wait to create and get more art and community connections with Modern Primitive in Cornwall Square.
Follow Modern Primitive on Facebook or visit their website at: modernprimitive.ca or better still stop in at the store in Cornwall Square, but be sure to have at least an hour or more to look around as there is so much to see!
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