A Winnipeg woman spearheaded a new co-op that caters to women who are retired or nearing retirement.
It’s the first of its kind in the city.
From the outside, it looks like any other home, but a walk into the warm interior tells a different story.
"It is intended to be a supportive environment, so that when you come home from wherever, you know somebody says hello, how did it go today, and you have somebody to talk to," said Beverly Suek, who founded the home known as Woman's Housing Initiative Manitoba.
Once a bed and breakfast, the space now serves as a shared environment for woman who are retired, or nearing retirement.
Almost all expenses and chores are divided up. But, with a giggle, Suek said there are some things they outsource, “We hire somebody to clean because we don't want to do it, and we hire someone to do the lawn because we don't want to do that either."
Not to be confused with a rooming house, the century old building is a family home with room for 5 women. Currently, three call it home.
The most recent tenant is Lynda Trono, who spends her days working as a community minister at Young United Church.
“It's kind of intense (at the church), I’m the one that everybody comes to for everything, but (at home) I’m just another person. I can relax. It's just like being with family," Trono told CTV.
She moved into the space three months ago and, with a laugh, said it's a perfect fit, “It's going to be a party house. It's like when you were going to school right and you're at university for the first time and you have roommates. I mean it's not going to be that exciting, but it will be close."
But the space is more than just fun, it’s practical.
The new co-op provides companionship and affordable housing for women on fixed incomes.
"My theory is: why should anybody be lonely when there are lots of other lonely people to be with," said Suek.
Applicants have to fill out a lifestyle questionnaire to be considered as a possible roommate, but, according to Suek, the most important thing is that they know who Doris Day is.
