Faye Blais
Creative Director/Designer
Wenona
Deliverables: Visual Identity, Brand Collateral, Web, Socials
Role: Owner, Creative Director, Branding, Design, Content Creation (Photography & Videography)
Description: Wenona is a local bar in the west end of Toronto, filled with open minds and open hearts. It is a community hub, offering beer, wine, cocktails and pool on the main floor, with comedy, live music, and private bookings in the event space.
The problem: In the food and beverage industry, the stakes are high and the margins are low. Stay relevant and grow.
The solution: Strong visual concept that speaks truth to us as owners, and works within the budget and maintenance of the space. Focus on ideas that will generate organic and lasting growth over time, are meaningful, and welcome a safe and open community. See every challenge as an opportunity.
The Interior: The main floor has a nostalgic Northern Ontario cottagecore aesthetic, loosely based on my family cottage (and favourite place) up near Sudbury, ON. The design continues to evolve over time, with rotating artwork and quirky finds, an ongoing game of “I Spy” for our customers. The downstairs features a speakeasy-style event space, a perfect-fit concept for a somewhat secret space on our lower level.
Wenona Forever Campaign: In the early days of Covid, we launched a “Wenona Forever” campaign, featuring a branded beer collaboration, and merch. The outpouring of support was overwhelming and single-handedly carried us through the first lockdown. We continued to roll out a series of “Wenona Forever” branded products and collaborations, including food, beer, wine, and a cocktail series featuring local mixologists. It has become part of the fabric of our brand.
Galleria Wenona: With the ability to allow customers into the restaurant for food and drink pickups, we put together an artisan market with over 50 local artists featuring their work. It was a huge success in both providing a platform for local artists to sell their goods, and lift our spirits by coming together in a time where we all felt so far apart.
Key Takeaways: It has been invaluable to stay nimble, embrace change, and always trust that there is an endless flow of new ideas at our disposal. The power of collaboration is undeniable when the task at hand is relentless, where everyday meets a new challenge. And lastly, narrowing-in on a fun, strong, and meaningful visual identity from the beginning has allowed us to play freely within the boundaries of a familiar idea, and had a profound impact on our community - who continue to echo and strengthen the brand over time.