Originally Posted by zahav
Some great news regarding the old Biercraft at Cambie and 17. First Elio Volpe opened in the old mechanics spot just behind the old Biercraft, but now a notice has just gone out for a liquor application at the former space (it has been papered over since it closed in Dec. 2022, but never had any lease/for sale signage, so never knew what the plan was). I absolutely love what's in the proposal, and since I live less than a block away and got the city notice in the mail about the application, I decided to email them in full support. I've posted the entirety of my email below, sorry for the length, but I feel like I will find allies in my fellow formers here haha, and you'll appreciate the support for something like this:
Hi there,
I received a notice about a liquor license application at this address (I live at 503 West 16th just one block away). I am thrilled to see this proposal, and am writing to give my full support. It was a huge loss for the neighbourhood when Biercraft closed its doors in December 2022. The Cambie Village is a fantastic neighbourhood, I've lived here since Nov. 2014 and I love it as much now as I did then. It is never going to be a Yaletown (food) or Granville (drink) offerings, but it has its own charm and neighbourhood quality. WIth that said, it has more tea/bubble tea places than i can count, and lots of dessert spots. But the last few years have seen the loss of anything geared towards drinks/entertainment. Yuk Yuk's comedy club closed in March of 2020 (pandemic was the culprit, but apparently their lease also expired). Then in 2021, Kino Cafe (a Spanish tapas bar that hosted flamenco dancing, comedy nights, and was a good vibe bar/cafe) closed. Again, blamed on the pandemic and capacity restrictions. But then when Biercraft closed end of 2022, it was the nail in the coffin, and the neighbourhood was without any real bar/pub or entertainment. Death by a thousand cuts, and for many people in the area, a huge loss.
The demographics are a giant mix of everything around here, but the food/drink offerings disproportionally cater to kids/families only, or a niche demographic (Yuk Yuks was replaced by a guitar school for kids, Kino was replaced by a high end steak restaurant, and Biercraft sat empty and papered over). The opening of Elio Volpe in a former car repair space was a huge score for the area, and a step in the right direction. But I kept waiting to see what was happening with the Biercraft space, as there was never a for lease sign or anything, just covered over. So I was delighted to get this notice, not just to see a vacant space brought back to life (which is always a positive for a neighbourhood), but then to read what was proposed, "the applicant is proposing to provide an adult-oriented cocktail lounge with full food and beverage services... Entertainment will primarily feature but is not limited to, background music, live musicians, DJs, dancing, and karaoke." I had to pinch myself, such a fantastic proposal for the spot, and sorely needed. And many others feel this way, even if they don't write it.
I know you will probably get emails from NIMBYs who oppose it on every count they can find (noise, drunkeness, too close to residential, etc.). I am writing to implore you to look past the NIMBYs who will undoubtedly oppose anything they think will be a nuissance, and will exaggerate the noise and worries about entertainment, and try to block the application. The restriction of not allowing music on the patio space is fine, and a realistic limitation for the area. But the business itself must be allowed to open and succeed, the community needs it. Neither Biercraft or Kino were ever a bother to neighbouring businesses or residential, people get scared for no reason thinking it will be like the Granville strip all of a sudden, which won't happen with a cocktail bar opening in this area... It's location is a mere short block from 16th, which is the southern boundary of the new Broadway Plan, where there will be a growth in residential and more. As it is already, there are lots of apartments all up Cambie St., as well as north of 16th, so it isn't a sleepy little suburb, it is very urban and dense (and getting moreso all the time). The corner of Cambie and 16 will soon be home to a very exciting new development (W16 by Olson Kundig), joining the large condo buildings on the other 2 corners of Cambie). Not to mention all the densification along King Ed (a short walk or bus ride away), and Cambie itself south of King Ed. The Cambie VIllage is the closest retail/commercial zone to all of this added density, much of which is younger people. It's remarkable just noticing the difference in how busy King Ed station is now. It used to be one of the quieter stations were not that many people got on or off. But now that intersection is bumping, so many younger people especially. Many are taking the 25 bus down King Ed, but still, it is clearly moving in a more urban direction.
I apologize for the long winded email, and lots of information that you probably don't know or care about, and understandably so. But I just had to give some context and background to this proposal, and provide an opposing viewpoint to NIMBYism you are sure to receive on this. I hope I'm wrong and you don't get any opposition, and it sails through approvals, but I am not that naive. I want this email to speak for many who don't bother to, but agree with the points. They don't want a total deadzone, they want an establishment with an appropriate capacity, vibe, and consideration for the area, which this proposal does. Please don't let it die!
|
Prev
Linear Mode
