Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[jollyburger]

Reyaz A. Kassamali, President and CEO of KFS, stated: "After our hugely successful opening in downtown Vancouver last year, we are very excited to extend our partnership with CaliBurger to cover the rest of Canada. We see a lot of potential for this cutting-edge burger concept in the Canadian market, in particular in major metropolitan markets. In fact, our first order of business will be to relocate the existing CaliBurger in Waterloo, Ontario to a more central location in Toronto, which we expect to open a little later this year." Kassamali further commented that they are currently in talks with potential franchisees in other major cities across Canada.

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/caliburger-announces-new-canadian-partnership-2191925.htm

[officedweller]

Holt Renfrew restaurant to be rebranded as a "Colette Grand Café" by a Toronto-based hospitality group.

Maybe they'll ditch the ice blue theme.

https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-in...rtners-to-rebrand-5-in-store-restaurants

[whatnext]

Wasn't there supposed to be a White Spot in the new "Spot" building at 12th and Cambie? Doesn't look like any sign of one going in.

[jollyburger]

I don't think there was ever a definitive answer on that.

Shato’s managing director, Ron Toigo, told the Straight by phone that if the application is approved, the company will move a heritage house to another part of the site. He added that a new White Spot might be included in the project, depending on how the development proceeds.

https://www.straight.com/news/shato-hold...orner-cambie-street-and-west-12th-avenue

[s211]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Wasn't there supposed to be a White Spot in the new "Spot" building at 12th and Cambie? Doesn't look like any sign of one going in.

I'm curious about that too.

[officedweller]

Maybe they think their property taxes will be too high to run a restaurant there (?) (and want to offload that burden to a tenant).

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Maybe they think their property taxes will be too high to run a restaurant there (?) (and want to offload that burden to a tenant).

You never know-White Spot closed their Whistler operation a place I thought would have been a money machine.

[Feathered Friend]

I don't think I've seen this posted anywhere, as it caught me off guard the other day. I'm surprised as the place always seemed busy.

[officedweller]

Thanks!
Didn't know it closed, either.

Do you think they relied heavily on Emily Carr traffic, and when that left GI, they decided to pull out?

I think I heard Arts Umbrella will be taking the Emily Carr space
- and maybe that's a different demographic for them.

[jollyburger]

Prime freestanding restaurant space for lease at 1540 Old Bridge Street (approx. 3124 SF main floor, 1128 SF mezzanine with 1549 SF patio space)

CMHC Granville Island is offering a prime restaurant location for lease. This restaurant location offers an established walk by customer base in a scenic park location. We are looking for a locally owned and operated restaurateur to bring a new casual dining option to Granville Island’s food scene. Concept submissions should focus on an offering that will complement local consumers’ food and beverage interests and demonstrate a business model that promotes and/or improves the local food scene at an accessible price point.

The shortlisted candidate for this location will present:

- a maximum 3 page executive summary of the concept including ownership and management structure and business concept

- a high quality menu offering that aligns with local food and beverage interests (sample menu required)

- a renovation plan for the interior and exterior of the space (conceptual sketch and proposed capital investment)

Estimated Minimum Rent: the greater of $37.00 PSF or 6% Percentage Rent

Estimated Additional Rent: $4.66 PSF (excludes property tax, hydro and gas)

Availability: Vacant as of December 1st 2017

https://spacelist.ca/p/bc/vancouver/1540_old_bridge_st

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Thanks!
Didn't know it closed, either.

Do you think they relied heavily on Emily Carr traffic, and when that left GI, they decided to pull out?

I think I heard Arts Umbrella will be taking the Emily Carr space
- and maybe that's a different demographic for them.

I'm surprised they would leave now, as the Arts Club Backstage Lounge is becoming a restaurant space, I thought there would be people looking for a more casual experience.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Wasn't there supposed to be a White Spot in the new "Spot" building at 12th and Cambie? Doesn't look like any sign of one going in.

Some recent pics.



Jan.8 '18, my pics

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Some recent pics.

Thanks. Just add it to the pile of unoccupied retail space in the city I guess.
Shame.

[SpongeG]

without a parking lot I don't think people would want to stop to eat there at a white spot. Thats a detterent for them, not a ton of foot traffic either and not the kind of spot people living in the area would really want to walk to.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

without a parking lot I don't think people would want to stop to eat there at a white spot. Thats a detterent for them, not a ton of foot traffic either and not the kind of spot people living in the area would really want to walk to.

Locals did go there and it had traffic from VGH and City Hall. Isn't there underground parking?

[theKB]

whitespot will not be taking the space back in the spot.

[theKB]

According to Daily Hive, Steeltoad Brewing at 2nd and Quebec has been sold and will be closing down at the end of the month.

Now this could be VERY wishful thinking but given the types of buildings that Eataly has around the world that could be a perfect spot to locate a Vancouver outpost of this awesome store.... WISH/HOPE/WISH/HOPE and hopefully it isn't just another cactus/joeys/earls

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by theKB

According to Daily Hive, Steeltoad Brewing at 2nd and Quebec has been sold and will be closing down at the end of the month.

Now this could be VERY wishful thinking but given the types of buildings that Eataly has around the world that could be a perfect spot to locate a Vancouver outpost of this awesome store.... WISH/HOPE/WISH/HOPE and hopefully it isn't just another cactus/joeys/earls

Does anybody know who the new owner is? It seems to be very mysterious at this point.

Eataly sounds cool. As long as it serves food and drink I'm open to it. Steel Toad looked good but I had multiple experiences of poor service there. Too bad.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Does anybody know who the new owner is? It seems to be very mysterious at this point.

Eataly sounds cool. As long as it serves food and drink I'm open to it. Steel Toad looked good but I had multiple experiences of poor service there. Too bad.

Most eataly's have a market with various food boutiques (cheese/meet/wine/veggie etc) plus several restaurants and quick service stands. It's awesome.

Here is a video of the Munich location.

• Video Link

Now how the Weston itteration of Eataly will be remains to be seen, hoping it isn't just a rebranded citymarket.

[phesto]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Does anybody know who the new owner is? It seems to be very mysterious at this point.

I don't actually know who it is, but I've been told that the buyer is a group that operates other similar establishments in the City, so less likely to be some fancy new concept. From there, your guess is as good as mine.