The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Is their main business rentals or sales/repair?

Probably more sales and service than rental - as that tends to be seasonal. They have a North Vancouver store in Shipyards that appears now to be an affiliate rather than a company store, although the Reckless owner initially opened it. There was also another store on Hornby, and two in Victoria at one time, so they've tried expanding in the past, and are now consolidating to one location in Vancouver.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Probably more sales and service than rental - as that tends to be seasonal. They have a North Vancouver store in Shipyards that appears now to be an affiliate rather than a company store, although the Reckless owner initially opened it. There was also another store on Hornby, and two in Victoria at one time, so they've tried expanding in the past, and are now consolidating to one location in Vancouver.

The other businesses seem to be staying put so I assume it isn't an issue of redevelopment.

[C3YVR]

Rolex has moved back to their renovated and expanded location in the future Park Hyatt on Alberni. I wouldn't be surprised if another watch brand takes over their temporary location across the street.

[SpongeG]

Daiso in Coquitlam had its grand opening today, but it's been open all week.

Jo Malone opened in Metropolis July 25 and Lululemon seems to be moving next to Sephora so a few doors further west from its current location.

[jollyburger]

Fairmont Vancouver has a new retail tenant taking over the St John space facing Hornby. They are also giving them a new exterior door in one of the window openings.

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=297469795

[whatnext]

Elon’s fascistwagen shop on West Fourth has finally closed.

[Spr0ckets]

The Starbucks on Granville and W. Broadway has officially closed up shop in their old location next door to the Indigos in preparation for their full relocation next door into the Stories building, right next door to the future skytrain station main entrance.

A note on the door of their old location says they officially open at the new location next week on Sept. 4th.

That leave Nicola Wealth upstairs still left to go, as they too will be relocating to the Stories building as well.
But work is still ongoing on the interiors of their new digs.
So probably a couple to several more weeks to go for them.

And a block farther west, the new JJ Bean taking up the spot across the street from Tim Hortons on W. Broadway and Fir shouldn't be too far from opening up either.

[officedweller]

Might they also open in the Granville & Broadway Indigo?

Good Earth Coffeehouse opens new location at Indigo Metrotown in Burnaby
https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...location-at-indigo-metrotown-in-burnaby/

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Might they also open in the Granville & Broadway Indigo?

Good Earth Coffeehouse opens new location at Indigo Metrotown in Burnaby
https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...location-at-indigo-metrotown-in-burnaby/

Well, there's a space available for it now.

They seem to have a working relationship or partnership with Indigo - certainly in other cities where they're located.

And you can never have too many alternatives to Starbucks as optional places to get some coffee.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Might they also open in the Granville & Broadway Indigo?

Good Earth Coffeehouse opens new location at Indigo Metrotown in Burnaby
https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...location-at-indigo-metrotown-in-burnaby/

They're also in the Robson Indigo, so that seems possible.

[SpongeG]

There's a coffee place that is opening up further south on Granville; two brothers from Ontario, I think London, are opening a spot. They have a cafe back in Ontario too.

Called Tiny Twins, it's right next to Bean Around The World Coffee.

I've been following their instagram for a few months and it doesn't seem like its open yet. They still Opening Soon.


source

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

There's a coffee place that is opening up further south on Granville; two brothers from Ontario, I think London, are opening a spot. They have a cafe back in Ontario too.

Called Tiny Twins, it's right next to Bean Around The World Coffee.

I've been following their instagram for a few months and it doesn't seem like its open yet. They still Opening Soon.


source

Not actually brothers, but rather best friends, and former college schoolmates (...and self-described dropouts).

It doesn't help that they resemble each other quite a bit.

...and yes, I did go to check and see if they were actually twins, and as already sadly reported, I was disappointed to find out they aren't.

The jury's still out on whether they're actually tiny and are just using clever camera tricks to make themselves look normal size in their instagram page.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

Not actually brothers, but rather best friends, and former college schoolmates (...and self-described dropouts).

It doesn't help that they resemble each other quite a bit.

...and yes, I did go to check and see if they were actually twins, and as already sadly reported, I was disappointed to find out they aren't.

The jury's still out on whether they're actually tiny and are just using clever camera tricks to make themselves look normal size in their instagram page.

I guess all the nearby development helps but that stretch of Granville is still pretty dead.

[officedweller]

Not keen on strange modifications to the architecture of a building.
Here's the Tiny Twins frontage before they added that bright blue tile (last unit on the right).
The Landlord must be desperate to allow facade modifications like that.


https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2591454,..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Originally Posted by SpongeG

source

[jollyburger]

Sorry thought they were further down closer to the bridge I withdraw that area of Granville being dead.

Lease rates

For Lease: 2985 Granville Street, Vancouver
Basic Rent: $68/FT
Additional Rent: $30.87/FT
Size: +/- 1,009 SQFT
Type: Retail
Agents: Matthew Ho*, Steven Lam*

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUtSvEaDZxn/

[officedweller]

The Book Corner pop-up launches at Guildford Town Centre

Cozy!


https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...aunches-at-guildford-town-centre-photos/

A book-themed pop-up attraction is at Guildford Town Centre for a month starting Thursday, Aug. 20.

Close to 1,000 titles are available for reading and buying at The Book Corner, located in the mall’s Centre Court North area, lower level.

With chairs and tables it’s part cozy reading destination, part community fundraiser.

All proceeds benefit Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society literacy initiatives through Surrey Libraries and Surrey Youth Grants program.

“This is timed with back-to-school season but we also know that books are very popular right now, book culture,” said Kiran Deol, mall marketing manager.

“We don’t have a permanent tenant selling books so it’s great to bring something to the mall that’s not technically readily available. We have two retailers that sell books, Walmart and London Drugs, a limited capacity, so it’s exciting for us to bring more books to the shopping centre.”

The Book Corner runs daily until Sept. 20 during mall hours, with books and related merchandise for sale (card only, no cash).

https://surreynowleader.com/2026/08/19/p...rreys-guildford-town-centre-for-a-month/


https://surreynowleader.com/2026/08/19/p...rreys-guildford-town-centre-for-a-month/


https://surreynowleader.com/2026/08/19/p...rreys-guildford-town-centre-for-a-month/


https://surreynowleader.com/2026/08/19/p...rreys-guildford-town-centre-for-a-month/

[SpongeG]

Guilford does a lot of good pop-up or event things in that space. Lee's Donuts has operated a trailer-kind-of spot for a while and is now opening a permanent shop where the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shop was, it closed down a couple months ago.

[officedweller]

Off topic, but in a WTF moment, JD Sports demolished an old heritage bank interior in Montreal (former Banana Republic) for its new store:

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...gship-as-canadian-expansion-accelerates/

[csbvan]

What the? It looks like an airport hangar