The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by s211

The sad part is that the City doesn't give any impetus for undergrounding power and phone lines when sites are redeveloped. There's brand new developments with those hick power lines left in place. Welcome to the 1930s...

Vancouverites get angry when Toronto laughs at them, but frankly, sometimes I can fully see why other people might laugh. Shame.

[SpongeG]

reading retail insider sounds like we are getting a watered down version of nordstrom in canada since the bay and holt renfrew have exclusivity rights to a lot of brands in canada that nordstrom can't carry here, they say they will concentrate on service and shoes

kinda 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 but will have to see, and seems like chanel and cartier are moving into the space at thurlow and alberni...

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Vancouverites get angry when Toronto laughs at them, but frankly, sometimes I can fully see why other people might laugh. Shame.

Do you not have anything better to do in your life than to come to this forum on a continual basis to put down Vancouver? Seriously. Your posts are depressing and pointless. As for this shame you speak of, I think you project your own issues onto the city you grew up in.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

reading retail insider sounds like we are getting a watered down version of nordstrom in canada since the bay and holt renfrew have exclusivity rights to a lot of brands in canada that nordstrom can't carry here, they say they will concentrate on service and shoes

kinda 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 but will have to see, and seems like chanel and cartier are moving into the space at thurlow and alberni...

yup they also mention this

Holt Renfrew's hr2 May Open in Vancouver's McArthurGlen Outlets

http://www.retail-insider.com/2012/12/holt-renfrews-hr2-may-open-in.html


sounds about right with the great Transit connection there.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Do you not have anything better to do in your life than to come to this forum on a continual basis to put down Vancouver? Seriously. Your posts are depressing and pointless. As for this shame you speak of, I think you project your own issues onto the city you grew up in.

Excuse me. The statement I was simply trying to make in this last post was; why can't we put telephone poles (particularly on Streets like fashionble Alberni) underground, to improve the street appearance. Another poster had said "welcome to the 1930s" and I was kind of alluding to that.
Vancouver is an amazing city with enormous potential in just about every way, and I am happy and proud to be from there.

I simply wish they'd put some more energy into certain things, such as taking the old wooden posts off a chic shopping street. Could you magine Rodeo Drive, or Cumberland Avenue in Toronto with wooden telephone poles?
No of course not!! So let's get this great city, blooming, and spiffed up to the level it needs - and deserves - is all I'm really saying.

[officedweller]

Chipotle opens up on Dec 13th.

GOURMET BURRITOS FROM CHIPOTLE LAND IN VANCOUVER BC, CANADA

Chipotle Brings its “Food with Integrity” Vision to Vancouver’s Robson Square with a New Restaurant Opening on December 13, 2012

San Francisco, CA; December 10, 2012—Expanding on its commitment to “Food With Integrity," Chipotle Mexican Grill opens its first restaurant in Vancouver BC, on December 13, 2012. The restaurant, which will be open daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., is located in Vancouver’s iconic Robson Square, a notable landmark, at 818 Howe St. between Robson St. and Smithe St., near the Vancouver City Center Skytrain Station. Building upon its presence in the United States, Toronto, Paris, and the United Kingdom, this newest opening in Vancouver’s Robson Square marks the forging of new territory on the western coast of Canada. In this increased expansion Chipotle maintain its dedication to honoring the areas surrounding its locations, and utilizing high quality natural ingredients.

Like all Chipotle locations, the Vancouver restaurant will serve a focused menu of burritos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla), salads, and tacos all made with premium quality ingredients that include naturally raised meats (from humanely raised animals that are never given antibiotics or added hormones), local and organic produce, and dairy products from cows that are never treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) with increasing amounts of milk from pasture-raised dairy cattle for its cheese and sour cream. Chipotle has steadily increased its locally sourced produce supply since beginning the program in 2008, upholding the commitment to serve great tasting vegetables that are grown on farms within 350 miles of the restaurants where they will be served.

The new restaurant expands Chipotle’s “Food with Integrity” vision, a pledge from founder, chairman and CEO Steve Ells to support more family farmers and sustainable sources while changing the way people think about, and eat, fast food. Chipotle’s commitment to “Food with Integrity” has led the company to serve more naturally raised meat and local produce than any other restaurant in the United States – more than 14 million pounds of produce in all for 2012.

“Chipotle is about fresh and sustainable ingredients, yielding a delicious, affordable, and high quality product,” said Chris Arnold, Chipotle spokesperson. “We are committed to continuing our expansion while raising awareness concerning food issues and creating a more sustainable and healthful food supply.”

Received by e-mail

[daveraver]

Where on RetailInsider.com did you see this? I also expect that given Nordstrom's size and influence, they will likely be able to 'snag' some of these designers that are (apparently) exclusive to Holt's and The Bay. There is still 2 more years before they open in Canada so lots of time!

Originally Posted by SpongeG

reading retail insider sounds like we are getting a watered down version of nordstrom in canada since the bay and holt renfrew have exclusivity rights to a lot of brands in canada that nordstrom can't carry here, they say they will concentrate on service and shoes

kinda 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 but will have to see, and seems like chanel and cartier are moving into the space at thurlow and alberni...

[Retail-Insider]

Originally Posted by daveraver

Where on RetailInsider.com did you see this? I also expect that given Nordstrom's size and influence, they will likely be able to 'snag' some of these designers that are (apparently) exclusive to Holt's and The Bay. There is still 2 more years before they open in Canada so lots of time!

Don't be afraid to email us with questions (or to post them to our Facebook page so we can share answers with readers - www.facebook.com/Retailinsider). Nordstrom's Canadian stores will be slightly different than American locations and yes, Nordstrom will pull some designers from Holt's and Hudson's Bay.

We haven't heard back as to if any Canadian Nordstrom stores will include piano players. It was sad when Nordstrom (mostly) phased them out...

Re: SpongeG's comment about Chanel and Cartier on Alberni... the jeweller we were referring to in our article (http://www.retail-insider.com/2012/12/chanel-opening-free-standing-vancouver.html) is not Cartier. Cartier will get a new Vancouver location, but that's not the mono-brand luxury jeweller possibly moving (next to?) Chanel.

[Valley_Refugee]

Vancouverites get angry when Toronto laughs at them, but frankly, sometimes I can fully see why other people might laugh. Shame.

Excuse me. The statement I was simply trying to make in this last post was; why can't we put telephone poles (particularly on Streets like fashionble Alberni) underground, to improve the street appearance. Another poster had said "welcome to the 1930s" and I was kind of alluding to that.
Vancouver is an amazing city with enormous potential in just about every way, and I am happy and proud to be from there.

I simply wish they'd put some more energy into certain things, such as taking the old wooden posts off a chic shopping street. Could you magine Rodeo Drive, or Cumberland Avenue in Toronto with wooden telephone poles?
No of course not!! So let's get this great city, blooming, and spiffed up to the level it needs - and deserves - is all I'm really saying.

Perhaps, if I may, it is the way you deliver your messages sometimes. Your first response came across scornful and condescending and in a tone that you often take that is very "Oh, Vancouver, you pathetic provincial backwater." Your second message, in which you explained yourself in less inflammatory language, was much more digestible and contributed to a healthy discussion with constructive criticism. I don't think many of us on here are blind Vancouver boosters who can't handle anything said against the city, but criticizing anyone's hometown isn't usually going to go over very well if it's not done respectfully.

[mezzanine]

from Thomas Hobbs:

“In my opinion the people who live here now don’t want to buy beautiful dishes or candles or nice soap, they want to shop in Richmond.”

Read more: http://www.vancourier.com/sports/Sports+template/7018292/story.html#ixzz2ElGTAreJ

so it's all their fault, and not, say, online shopping or the mainstream rise of home interior stores...

[squeezied]

Well I can sympathize for him. Hobbs is located in Kerrisdale and the demographics there have changed considerably. Kerrisdale isn't the WASP neighbourhood it used to be, which Hobbs caters to; it's becoming predominantly occupied by the mainland Chinese. Unfortunately it's racial. The mainland Chinese aren't interested handmade, craftsman-oriented products (that's also reflected in their housing choice as well, think pink stucco monster houses). I think it's due to the "nouveau riche" thing where the newly rich tend to purchase mainstream, showy, high-end products as opposed to understated well-crafted products.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Valley_Refugee

Perhaps, if I may, it is the way you deliver your messages sometimes. Your first response came across scornful and condescending and in a tone that you often take that is very "Oh, Vancouver, you pathetic provincial backwater." Your second message, in which you explained yourself in less inflammatory language, was much more digestible and contributed to a healthy discussion with constructive criticism. I don't think many of us on here are blind Vancouver boosters who can't handle anything said against the city, but criticizing anyone's hometown isn't usually going to go over very well if it's not done respectfully.

Thank you for that feedback. I appreciate it.

The first remark I made about the wooden telephones-in-the-chic-shopping- area was scornful, I admit.
However, think of this metaphorically, if you will ......

Vancouver is like a young child growing up to be a stunningly beautiful woman. OK, now, imagine that this princess is invited to the ball, and shows up perfectly coiffed, elegantly dressed, etc etc ..... only wearing her logging boots !!!!!!!!!!

That's a bit like the telephone poles on Alberni Street point I was trying to make.

I love Vancouver. It's one of the really "cool" cities of the world. (just check out the international media of the last 10 years)!

But some things require a little more polish, a little more "finishing school" for the city we all love, and this was just an example, that's all.
Nevertheless, I apologize for being such a high-fallutin' snoot about it, and I hope you'll understand. Thanks.

[jlousa]

I think fixing the roads in Gastown are a higher priority then a few remaining telephone poles along Alberni. In fact there are so many things higher up the list. The reason it hasn't been addressed is because it's a non-issue to most people. Sqeaky wheels get the grease, other issues are more important, period.

[mezzanine]

Originally Posted by squeezied

Well I can sympathize for him. Hobbs is located in Kerrisdale and the demographics there have changed considerably. Kerrisdale isn't the WASP neighbourhood it used to be, which Hobbs caters to; it's becoming predominantly occupied by the mainland Chinese. Unfortunately it's racial. The mainland Chinese aren't interested handmade, craftsman-oriented products (that's also reflected in their housing choice as well, think pink stucco monster houses). I think it's due to the "nouveau riche" thing where the newly rich tend to purchase mainstream, showy, high-end products as opposed to understated well-crafted products.

I don't deny there has been demographic changes in Kerrisdale, but I object to thomas hobb's scapegoating (asian) outsiders for the closure of his store. i am not sure if the prior demographic in Kerrisdale (older, nearing-retirement homeowners who bought their homes prior to 1989) would have been able to keep him in business.

I'm not sure if all chinese people prefer flashy, inexpensive, shoddily-made things to well-crafted things, just as i am unsure how thomas hobbs can tell if those that shop in richmond would be less likely to shop at his store versus those who go to oakridge, downtown or seattle premium outlets.

Moreover, I go to southlands nursery on a regular basis (one of their nursery store cats, the younger one, died a few months ago) and i regulary see a number of korean, japanese and chinese shoppers. Many of the garden accessories there are made in china.

It's unfortunate that his comments alienate me, but that's just my 2 cents.

[SpongeG]

i've been to hobbs a number of times over the years and there isn't really anything unique there, a lot of the stuff can be found easily at chapters, chintz & co or the cross etc. and often cheaper.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by jlousa

I think fixing the roads in Gastown are a higher priority then a few remaining telephone poles along Alberni. In fact there are so many things higher up the list. The reason it hasn't been addressed is because it's a non-issue to most people. Sqeaky wheels get the grease, other issues are more important, period.

Yes, I know you are right about all that. I think if the Alberni merchants themselves get uptight about how it all looks and feels, they'll get it done, somehow.

[mr.x]

I'm pretty sure BC Hydro announced over the past year that they would be moving forward with a project to bury their lines underground in Downtown. But they're going to keep a few blocks of the overhead lines for aesthetic purposes for the film industry, they love them apparently.

[jlousa]

The main strip of Alberni doesn't have wires anyways from Burrard to Thurlow, the stretch from Thurlow to Bute only has them on the one side which will probably be relocated during the current construction of Bentall 6, even then it's only affect Tim Horton's/Wendy and a couple of other retailers, it's no longer the shopping district the previous block is.

[itinerant]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

I don't deny there has been demographic changes in Kerrisdale, but I object to thomas hobb's scapegoating (asian) outsiders for the closure of his store. i am not sure if the prior demographic in Kerrisdale (older, nearing-retirement homeowners who bought their homes prior to 1989) would have been able to keep him in business.

Tom only characterized a change in his neighbourhood clientelle and "the people who live here now... want to shop in Richmond". If that means asian, it is inferred by you and others on the thread; not him.

[mezzanine]

^ but then why does he make that point in the first place? Maybe i'm cynical, but when he talks of "people living here (in Kerrisdale) now, wanting to shop in Richmond", I can see a double entendre. Maybe you don't.

Take a look at what he says on his blog:

http://southlandsnursery.com/tomspeaks/

But, as all our kind,sad,understanding customers are telling us all day long, every day – they simply don’t like coming to Kerrisdale anymore. Parking is no longer free on the street, most of their familiar merchants are gone, the sidewalks are dirty, the pedestrians are more like Space Aliens than neighbours….

His clientele thinks Kerrisdale is dirty?

I'm no businessman, but a demographic shift can be seen as "new potential customers". Dehumanizing people and and approaching them as 'space aliens' is not a way to business success.