Luke Randall’s family roots run deep in Fredericton North, beginning many generations ago. His paternal grandfather worked as a young man pulling ice from the Wolastoq River to chill neighbourhood ice boxes; today, Luke’s parents still live just a few houses away from where his Great-Great-Grandparents’s bakery once stood. Luke spent many of his school years in Devon, learning entrepreneurial skills at a young age from his maternal grandparents on St. Mary’s Street where they ran their family owned and operated business. Growing up just outside of Fredericton, Luke graduated from Devon Park Christian School on Fredericton’s North side in 1994. After high school, Luke decided to take a “gap year” before considering further studies. In this “gap year” Luke opened Endeavours The Artist Shop at the age of 18 having always dreamed of owning his own business, just like his grandparents.

That “gap year” has now lasted for 30 years and includes ThinkPlay, the boardgame and specialty toy store that Luke opened separately in 2003. Endeavours & ThinkPlay is now under one roof and located at 141 Brunswick Street in Fredericton’s downtown. While Endeavours & ThinkPlay has served the art materials and boardgaming needs for New Brunswickers for 30 years, today the company ships high quality products across Canada while continuing to serve the local community.

Luke has a passion for arts, culture, and community; believing that everyone should have the opportunity to be engaged. Luke has been instrumental in developing arts in our Fredericton community and across North America, having served on many arts boards and initiatives, including in executive positions. Luke has contributed through planning and hosting arts events; but also in 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 even wrote a business column for The Daily Gleaner. As an entrepreneur, Luke has served on the board and many committees of iAMart, North America’s largest 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, navigating international logistics, and continually balancing budgets.

While business has been a fulfilling and profitable 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 New Brunswickers face today. Luke is deeply committed to New Brunswick; this is where he grew up and where his parents are aging. Luke is particularly concerned with the crisis in access to primary healthcare, the lack of adequate and affordable housing for residents of Fredericton North, challenges to daily affordability, and the protection of marginalized communities – particularly members of Sitansisk First Nation. Luke is confident we must take action on environmental issues affecting Fredericton North. Flooding will continue to impact our community, and Luke wants to help prepare 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 New Brunswick has a brighter future.