Luke Randall

Luke’s deep connection to Fredericton North started generations ago, even before he was born. His paternal grandfather worked pulling ice from the Wolastoq River to chill neighbourhood ice boxes. Today, his parents live only a few houses away from where the old family bakery once operated. Luke spent many of his school years in Devon, spending time with his maternal grandparents on St. Mary’s Street where they also ran their family owned and operated business. Many years later, Luke would buy his first home in Devon where he resided for fourteen years. He now lives with his husband Tyler on the North Side of the Wolastoq.

Luke grew up just outside of Fredericton and he earned his high school diploma from Devon Park Christian School on Fredericton’s North side in 1994. After graduating, instead of continuing on to post-secondary education, Luke decided to take a gap year to open Endeavours The Artist Shop at the age of 18.

Starting his own business on his parent’s front porch, the “gap year” has lasted for almost 30 years and now includes ThinkPlay, the local toy and boardgame store that Luke opened separately in 2003. Endeavours & ThinkPlay is now under one roof and located at 141 Brunswick Street in Fredericton’s downtown. Luke has a passion for arts, culture, and community; believing that everyone should have the opportunity to be engaged. In addition to running his business, Luke has been instrumental in developing arts in our Fredericton community and beyond, having served on many arts boards and initiatives, including in executive positions. Luke has contributed through planning and hosting arts events, or enabling their possibility through mentorship and sponsorship. Owning his own company in downtown Fredericton has allowed Luke the opportunities to serve on the executive for Downtown Fredericton, act as a mentor to many new business owners, and work with high school students in co-op programs, art classes, and business classes. For many years, Luke wrote a business column for The Daily Gleaner. Finally, Luke has served on the board and many committees of iAMart, a North American buying group for artist materials retail companies. All of these opportunities have given Luke firsthand experience with working in community, but also understanding the nuances of large-scale business management.

While business has been a fulfilling career for Luke, the current state of our social and environmental landscape has left Luke knowing he has a responsibility to be an active part of the solution for the challenges we face as a community. Luke is deeply committed to our community and province; this is where he grew up and where his parents are aging. Luke is particularly concerned with the crisis in access to primary healthcare in this province, the lack of adequate and affordable housing for residents of Fredericton North, challenges to daily affordability, and the protection of marginalized communities. Luke is confident we must take action on environmental issues affecting Fredericton North. Flooding will continue to impact Fredericton North, and Luke wants to help prepare our community for future challenges to come, including the growing risk of fires and dry periods. For this reason, Luke has decided to take a step back from the business he started from nothing, in order to do his part to help ensure our community has a future with access to healthcare when you need it, adequate housing and solutions to make life more affordable for New Brunswickers.