New West wood, tacos, and a roof top

Doug Mossey has lived in New Westminster for over a decade and spends his time enjoying life in the Downtown core.

But there’s another thing he enjoys doing, and that’s working with reclaimed wood.

“I’ve always been interested in a variety of wood-related projects, whether it was building a deck, shed or fixing a fence,” Mossey, who owns RoofTopWood, tells The Anchor via email. “I often would help my dad and he would teach me a variety of things.”

Mossey says he began to focus more on the woodworking aspect during the pandemic and started creating—and selling—smaller items like cutting boards, serving trays, and cribbage boards.

“I found it to be a way to relax, and at the end you have a fun, new piece.”

The reclaimed wood aspect of his projects began a few years ago, when he was working on a renovation project. “I started noticing piles and piles of what appeared to be usable wood each time I visited the Coquitlam Transfer Station. I started thinking that it would be fun to see what I could do with old wood.” He says the observation also jived with his beliefs about the environment.

“I’ve always been very recycle-conscious and realize that wood, despite being a renewable resource, still involves logging, transport and processing and reclaiming it was a good way around that.”

With the Chronic Tacos at Columbia Square closing down, and the new tenant—the now-opened Tannenbaum taking its place—Mossey was about to get his hands on wood with a really neat story behind it. The connection began because the current owner of the Tannenbaum—who previously ran the Old Bavaria House along 6th—had a mutual friend.

“At the end of 2022, while [the new owner] was moving into The Tannenbaum restaurant at the old Chronic Taco site, I was put in touch with her. She happily let me come and salvage as much wood as I could manage,” explains Mossey, noting that his one regret was that he didn’t grab more. The wood mainly came from the booths in the Chronic Tacos.

Mossey got to work—he creates his projects on top of a roof, hence the name—and he’s since created things like serving trays and charcuterie boards out of the wood from said site.

“My favourite thing to make by far is charcuterie boards, the bigger the better. It’s fun at the end of the project to have something that can be used frequently but also look good when not in use. I often keep many of the boards I end up making!”

Since the Chronic Tacos projects, Mossey has also made wooden New West-themed coasters—though those aren’t made from reclaimed wood. He’s also been looking for wood in places like thrift shops, repurposing those finds into small cutting and charcuterie boards.

“Wood is a natural organic material and it’s okay to have slight variances and other minor flaws. Embrace the natural beauty of each peace, they all have a history and are taking a new life as each piece I make turns into something someone can love. Flaws and all.”

You can find Mossey on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and on Etsy.