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Originally Posted by someone123
I don't consider myself knowledgeable about shopping and I am open to any conclusion but I wonder if Vancouver really is doing better than a few years ago. Nordstrom is gone now and the Bay is closing. Pacific Centre doesn't really seem to have that much new stuff and I'm not sure other areas like 4th or Main Street are that great for shopping. I don't really like MetroTown and I avoid it. Simons is unfortunately in North Van and it's a nightmare to get out there. It feels like downtown retail is in the doldrums a bit and the neighbourhood commercial areas mostly have new restaurants with a lot of it being Asian fast food.
I sort of wonder if any of Vancouver is improving that much these days, with the exception of the Main Street area. There was an earlier era, maybe the 1990's to 2010's, when it felt like Vancouver was far ahead of other Canadian cities and was changing quickly.
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Feels like Downtown Vancouver peaked between 2009-2012. Robson had many more higher end retail and boutique shops along with diverse food options. Granville and Gastown was massively better as well. You always had elements
The homelessness, drug crisis and then COVID really destroyed the downtown retail and restaurant scene. Businesses have to put up with some ridiculous nonsense including constant thefts and vandalism. Non chain restaurants and smaller retailers cannot handle increasing rents along with insurance costs and are moving out of the downtown core.
I also feel like the region has shifted away from the concentric city model. You are seeing many hubs popping along the major transit lines which are incorporating restaurants and retail outlets. There's less of an appeal of commuting to the core of downtown to experience the scene.
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