Queer-Owned & Local: Funk Revival

Funk Revival has one of the most eye-catching window displays in downtown Nanaimo. As you walk down Commercial Street, you’ll notice the bright colours, vintage styles, and welcoming signs that make this small shop really stand out. Behind the retro aesthetic and carefully curated racks of consignment are two of Nanaimo’s most passionate entrepreneurs: Brooke Vermeersch (she/her) and Kat Russell (she/her). They co-own Funk Revival and drive its creative vision. This independent retail shop features incredible fashion finds and an experience that reflects Brooke and Kat’s infectious energy, deep-rooted friendship, and unwavering commitment to their neighbourhood. For customers and consigners alike, stepping through their doors means entering a warm, welcoming space where sustainable fashion and Funk for all is the vibe. More than a retail store; it’s a story of mentorship, resilience, and inclusivity. 

Rooted in Community and Personal Connection

Long before they became business partners steering their own ship, Brooke and Kat were co-workers at the store's predecessor, Funk Your Fashion. There, they learned the ropes of retail together. Greg Badger, the original owner, created a warm, family-like culture. This culture left a lasting impression on everyone who entered. In those early days, Kat managed the shop. Brooke, an interior design student at Vancouver Island University, was looking for a part-time job. She checked her job application status regularly. Brooke didn't let the first rejections stop her. She walked in and gave Kat her availability schedule. 

At first, Kat worked weekdays, and Brooke covered weekends when she wasn’t in school. Despite their opposite shifts, they quickly formed a strong friendship. During busy summer months, the two worked overlapping shifts. They bonded over after-work dinners and dreamed up big ideas for the store’s future. Brooke recalls, “We were always joking like, ‘Haha, one day maybe we can write this off as a business expense’... We had all these ideas, and we were just talking constantly.” 

At the heart of this foundational era was Greg Badger. Greg was a caring mentor and community leader. He saw their potential and encouraged them to grow. He encouraged Brooke, who previously wore all black, to step out of her comfort zone, inspiring a vibrant shift into bright colours. He also helped Kat, a self-described introvert, find her voice and confidence. Kat remembers a pivotal moment when Greg pulled her aside and encouraged her to engage more openly with customers. “He really encouraged all of us to be whoever we were, whoever we wanted to be comfortable in, and really never made us feel like we had to shrink ourselves in order to be in that space,” Kat shares. This belief in true self-expression shaped how Kat and Brooke would run their business later on. 

Greg’s lessons extended far beyond the consignment model and the importance of understanding customer fit over personal taste. He taught them that a business should make people feel whole and fulfilled. Known for giving the shirt off his back, Greg showed that giving back and setting boundaries can go hand in hand. “He was just trying to tell people, like, you can give so much to others and still feel whole,” Brooke reflects. 

Business Rebirth After Great Loss

In 2018, the Funk family faced a devastating loss when Greg passed away after a long battle with mental health and addiction. To honour his son’s legacy and keep staff employed, his father, Don Badger, ran the shop from Edmonton. Kat managed daily operations for two years while Brooke finished her degree. Don’s commitment gave staff time to process their grief while keeping the community hub alive.

However, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic introduced new, daunting challenges. Financial and geographical hurdles made it impossible for Don to operate the business from Alberta. As a result, the shop’s permanent closure seemed inevitable. Realizing they might lose not only their livelihood but their community anchor, Kat and Brooke had to act. Confronted with the overwhelming logistics of returning consignment pieces and the heartbreak of finishing a chapter that had connected them deeply, they asked themselves a crucial question: How do we keep this going?

Determined to save the space, Kat and Brooke secured private funding and offered Don the chance to sell the shop. His response was immediate and emotional; he revealed he had been waiting for them to step forward and wouldn’t have sold the business to anyone else. Rebranding as Funk Revival, Kat and Brooke breathed new life into the store. They painted the formerly dark walls a bright, fresh white. They playfully noted that Greg might have cringed in spirit at the change. With Don’s steady guidance during their first year, they took ownership as a unified team and officially opened a new chapter. Shifting from friends and co-workers to business partners required clear communication. They also needed to understand their different strengths. Brooke shines as a creative visionary. She’s the “ideas person” who always dreams up new concepts. Kat provides grounded, logistical realism, analyzing how to execute those ideas sustainably. Through honest conversation, they developed a healthy, communicative dynamic. Kat learned to validate Brooke’s brilliance before diving into implementation challenges. This approach gave Brooke space to develop new ideas while also allowing Kat to ensure the business was viable.

They fiercely protect their friendship to shield it from the stresses of entrepreneurship. “We are very good at being like, okay, these are the business partners, and these are the friendships,” Brooke stresses. “Let’s make sure that both of those are nurtured and very honest." They make a concerted effort to step away from the shop together, taking time out of the year to just be friends without discussing work.

A Safe Space with Heart

For Kat and Brooke, running a queer-owned business on Commercial Street carries a deep responsibility. They focus on fostering safety and inclusivity in their space. Their tagline sums it up perfectly: Fashion for all genders, shapes, and sizes! “I've watched a lot of young people come in who are curious about exploring their gender identity,” Kat shares. “I remember watching someone who was presenting as male at the time trying on their first dress and feeling excited about being in a space where they could do that comfortably... You cannot replicate that. It's just such a beautiful moment." The magic of Funk Revival happens when someone sees their reflection and starts dancing. In that moment, they feel completely like themselves. “I want everybody to know that whoever they are, you’re safe here,” adds Brooke.

This culture of care extends beyond their shop to the unhoused neighbours in downtown Nanaimo. Facing the area’s complex social realities, Brooke and Kat choose empathy over criminalization. Brooke recalls an incident in which someone attempted to steal clothing out of desperation. Instead of responding with hostility, she invited him to talk, returned the items to inventory, and provided him with a free bag of clothes. Deeply moved, the individual told her, “My faith in humanity has been restored."

Funk Revival created a community donation bin program to formalize its support. This program allows locals to access warm clothing and essentials at no cost. It ensures that everyone can receive what they need with dignity. In return, the community reciprocates with deep mutual respect. Funk Revival also donates clothing to Big Brothers Big Sisters. It provides outfits and prom wear for students through local schools, and they co-hosted an all-inclusive fashion show that raised about $1,000 for the Nanaimo Pride Society.

Kat & Brooke’s Nanaimo Favourites

When they aren’t helping customers find their next wardrobe addition, Kat and Brooke love spending their time and money in the southern end of the city:

• Downtown Commercial Street: Supporting neighbouring local independent shops, cafes, and creative spots. Shoutouts to Rumours Vintage, Lucky Cloud, and the Vault Cafe.

• Local Parks & Green Spaces: Taking time away from the shop to reset and nurture their personal friendship in nature.

With new arrivals daily, locals and visitors alike have endless reasons to pop in. Step inside Funk Revival’s hallowed walls on Commercial Street to experience the best of downtown Nanaimo’s community spirit. Browse their latest consignment drops and community projects at funkrevival.com or catch their hilarious social content @funkrevival.