The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[KateW1]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Lansdowne : Toast and long-overdue for a major redevelopment or a total re-build. It once was a mainstream centre with Eaton's and Woodward's as anchors, since the demise of both, it's struggled and searched for an identity for two decades. With the exception of some big-box anchors, it's filled with a random selection of second rate retailers. The layout has always been confusing and illogical at best, it just needs to go.

The exact same applies to Central City. That mall has been on death watch since The Bay and Sears relocated to Guildford. T&T, Shoppers Drug Mart, Best Buy, Winners, Bed Bath and Beyond, the passport office, and SFU Surrey campus are what's keeping it alive.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Porfiry

Not even close. West End is around 45,000 people. The rest of downtown (Coal Harbour + Yaletown + Gastown + Chinatown + Granville) is around 55,000. In 2006 Yaletown itself was around 11,000. Even if it's doubled since then it's less than half of the West End.

Ok my mistake. I should've said similar population densities. West End is served by at least 5 large grocery stores and a couple of mid-sized stores, and Yaletown by only about 3 mid-sized stores. That would take care of the population discrepancies. Stores at west end are still significantly busier.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by quobobo

I've known a lot of people who do just that - Whole Foods, Save-On, and No Frills are just a short walk from Broadway/City Hall.

Those you mentioned are much much closer to City Hall station than the future Vancouver House shopping enclave to Yaletown station.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

No but I live in the area and shop at Urban Fare regularly. My neighbour is a manager in the store. Like I said, they added additional check outs to handle increased demand. According to you it's a ghost town and they should be closing up shop.

IGA near Robson and Homer is dead. As is Urban Fare in Coal Harbour. Yaletown is their busiest location by far.

I go to the yaletown urban fare twice a week and most of the time there are only 2 checkouts, and perhaps up to 4 during lunch or dinner times, but that's it. Urban fare at Coal Harbour is quite dead but during lunch time, food section is extremely busy with long line ups. I know that cuz I work in the hood and do lunch there very often. Fact is, the better-priced stores in West End seem a lot busier, but not those in Yaletown, meaning many Yaletown folks don't necessarily shop in their area.

All I'm saying is, the Yaletown Canada line station was placed as an afterthought, and the retail around the area could've been better had they planned it with a future station in mind. One thing missing is a lower-end grocer and a couple of bigger retail stores by the station, or more CRUs along the waterfront and Pacific Boulevard that continues all the way up to Granville street and BC Place Stadium. Would be nice to link up and attract foot traffic from the station to the future Casino and Vancouver House development.

Feel free to disagree with me, but there is no need for animosity.

[WarrenC12]

Vin, your random rants make no logical sense, and don't bear any resemblance to the reality on the ground. The fact that you make controversial blanket statements that you proclaim to be facts categorizes you as a troll.

Please feel free to provide any evidence of Yaletown station being an afterthought in the planning process. It is currently one of the busier stations on the line. The retail in the immediate blocks surrounding the station has been there since Yaletown was revitalized in the 1990s. Again, your posts just don't make any sense.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

No but I live in the area and shop at Urban Fare regularly. My neighbour is a manager in the store. Like I said, they added additional check outs to handle increased demand. According to you it's a ghost town and they should be closing up shop.

IGA near Robson and Homer is dead. As is Urban Fare in Coal Harbour. Yaletown is their busiest location by far.

Living by that ig a for 5 years I have to say that place is a zoo!! Costco is another crazy busy places. Even during the week

[SpongeG]

i know a number of carless people who use car services when they need to go get groceries at costco combined with transit its pretty easy

[memememe76]

Originally Posted by KateW1

The exact same applies to Central City. That mall has been on death watch since The Bay and Sears relocated to Guildford. T&T, Shoppers Drug Mart, Best Buy, Winners, Bed Bath and Beyond, the passport office, and SFU Surrey campus are what's keeping it alive.

Central City is not nearly as bad as Lansdowne. You already mentioned seven (7!) separate entities that make that location an attraction for residents. You can also add Fraser Health and all the businesses occupying the office building. Same for Club 16.

Ya think SFU is moving anytime soon?

I think an H-Mart would do well in the Future Shop space. And if Loblaws is building more locations, the Target location would be perfect (not sure which Loblaws outfit would be best, though).

As all the condo towers get done, that mall will get busier.

[Klazu]

There is yet another Cafe Artigiano opening in Downtown at Hornby/Duinsmur. There is a Starbucks on the opposite side and a brand new Tim Hortons one block north. How many more can fit in Downtown?

Also the new BC's Best Coffee is now open at the Maddox podium.

[Klazu]

To the grocery discussion, we live in One Wall Centre and do small grocery shopping in the IGA nearby. However every weekend we drive to the Safeway on Davie Street for a larger grocery run. I know it is crazy and lazy, but oh so convenient when you have four heavy shopping bags.

[mcminsen]

I took these pics yesterday of Simons under construction at Park Royal South in West Van.


April 12 '15, my pics
















South end:



South end:



Looking north:






Across from Shoppers Drugmart:

[connect2source]

Thanks for these mcminsen!!!

Saw it over the weekend in person, love the textured pre-cast!! I think it looks striking and bold, certainly 1000x better than the dilapidated Extra Foods it replaced and certainly far better than the hideous Shoppers building which sadly blocks much of the north facade.

[officedweller]

Looks great, thanks!

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by Klazu

There is yet another Cafe Artigiano opening in Downtown at Hornby/Duinsmur. There is a Starbucks on the opposite side and a brand new Tim Hortons one block north. How many more can fit in Downtown?Also the new BC's Best Coffee is now open at the Maddox podium.

In future all Vancouver coffee drinkers will have their own cafe-or every cafe will have it's own customer.

[Graham_Yvr]

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

In future all Vancouver coffee drinkers will have their own cafe-or every cafe will have it's own customer.

It took me going to 3 different Starbucks to find one that had a spot to sit in this morning. We can support many more!

[Klazu]

I guess we wouldn't be a true Vanhattan without a coffee shop in every corner.

[DesignerBunny]

Do we know the stores that will open now that the job fair happened last week? If the job applicants interviewed with specific brands, I was hoping someone who attended could confirm a list of those companies hiring.

[hollywoodnorth]

I was out at Metrotown on Saturday.

notes:

1) Station Square will have CRU's along Central Blvd.........great news!
2) also the Home Outfitters is closing down.....so maybe the Uniqlo will take that space as per the rumors.

my photo >>

[SpongeG]

its a pretty big space would make some venture down there more at least

[Tetsuo]

The watch shop also closed, the space occupied by the watch shop and the random asian clother could be used as an entrance for uniqlo going down.