From humble roots in 1951 with one retail store in downtown Victoria, Monk Office has grown to a multi-faceted business with 10 Vancouver Island retail locations in Victoria, Sidney, Duncan, Courtenay, Campbell River and Port Hardy. Employing over 140 Vancouver Island residents means jobs for local people who support the community. The company services a substantial commercial account base, provides technology product sales, support, service and repair and offers a full range of office interior solutions from office design and layout, office installation and modular construction combined with integrated technology.
An award-winning company, Monk Office has received seven awards for environmental business practices and community leadership in the last 10 years, working to provide an inspiring and equitable workplace while becoming a resource and advocate for a better world. By supporting The Mustard Seed and The Pacific Institute of Sport Excellence, providing scholarships for post-secondary students entering Environmental Studies, or supplying a local school with supplies after a damaging fire, Monk Office helps to build more sustainable communities.
Ron McKenzie bought the business from Charlie Monk in 1963 and soon opened another location on the corner of Fort & Blanshard. Twenty years after the purchase from Mr. Monk, James McKenzie acquired the business from his father and further expansion ensued up and down the Island. James is positive about the changes occurring at the organization: “Our strategy may be changing, the way we do business may be changing, but one thing that isn’t changing is our values and our commitment to each other and the community.”
With Mark Breslauer at the helm of the organization for the last two years, Monk Office is evolving again with new branding, a state-of-the-art website launching this fall, an enhanced attitude of sustainability in the community, and the delivery of new and innovative ways to provide a unique and pleasurable experience for the customer.
While traditional office products continue to be central to Monk’s core business, they have broadened in order to outfit the entire office, whether more conventional, home-based or virtual. The focus of the company has shifted with dramatic growth in new and innovative offerings from technology services and comprehensive office set up to environmental office solutions and business interior furnishings with an emphasis on comfort, healthy practices and productivity enhancing products.
