The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 783

officedweller · #**15641** Posted **Aug 14, 2021, 10:43 AM**

There's still paper on the former Starbucks at Robson and Homer.

Vin · #**15642** Posted **Aug 20, 2021, 8:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by C3YVR

Thom Browne looks set to open, and around the corner the former Blubird is leased. The former Starbucks at Scotia Theatre is also leased, so I believe almost all former Starbucks downtown have been leased. Starbucks on Granville, across from Nordstrom, is also again being renovated.

The former Starbucks at Davie/Seymour was recently leased, and going to be replaced by a European-style cafe. I'm ecstatic! Love more variety of F&B downtown.

Starbucks: good riddance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

There's still paper on the former Starbucks at Robson and Homer.

Also Howe & Helmcken, and Howe & West Hastings : don't think those ones are leased either, but not sure.

officedweller · #**15643** Posted **Aug 23, 2021, 9:29 PM**

Toys 'R' Us sale could bring Disney stores back to B.C.
https://biv.com/article/2021/08/toys-r-us-sale-could-bring-disney-stores-back-bc

WestEnd604 · #**15644** Posted **Aug 23, 2021, 9:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Toys 'R' Us sale could bring Disney stores back to B.C.
https://biv.com/article/2021/08/toys-r-us-sale-could-bring-disney-stores-back-bc

I sincerely hope the new owner invests in upgrading the look of the current Toys R Us stores. The one on Broadway is a disaster, and SOMETHING needs to be done with that stupid "Frankensign". For goodness sake it's an abomination.

Vin · #**15645** Posted **Aug 23, 2021, 11:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestEnd604

I sincerely hope the new owner invests in upgrading the look of the current Toys R Us stores. The one on Broadway is a disaster, and SOMETHING needs to be done with that stupid "Frankensign". For goodness sake it's an abomination.

The entire West Broadway is a disaster IMO. The new Broadway plan is a major disappointment as well despite the skytrain extension there. I wouldn't think Disney would do well on West Broadway. It can do much better in Brentwood, Metrotown, Richmond Centre, or even the future Oakridge mall.

Changing City · #**15646** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 12:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

The entire West Broadway is a disaster IMO. The new Broadway plan is a major disappointment as well despite the skytrain extension there. I wouldn't think Disney would do well on West Broadway. It can do much better in Brentwood, Metrotown, Richmond Centre, or even the future Oakridge mall.

Obviously you'll find whatever the Broadway Plan says 'a major disappointment', but Phase 3 of the process isn't due until late September. That's the first time "you’ll get to review 3D elements of the plan which will include building heights, a draft public realm framework, housing and job projections, and additional details on some area-wide policies like housing, transportation, public benefits and community well-being." As this is the retail thread, it's worth noting that there's unlikely to be any change to the requirement to keep retail space along most of Broadway, wherever it already exists.

jollyburger · #**15647** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 3:08 AM**

Yeah just completely ignore that they had a store in Pacific Centre.

Sheba · #**15648** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 3:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Toys 'R' Us sale could bring Disney stores back to B.C.
https://biv.com/article/2021/08/toys-r-us-sale-could-bring-disney-stores-back-bc

Not so much Disney stores but "kiosks within Toys 'R' Us stores".

GeeCee · #**15649** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 12:52 PM**

Disney's retail philosophy is.. very different from that which you might find in a Toys R Us.

SpongeG · #**15650** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 5:04 PM**

I was at Richmond Centre on Friday. A new Jo Malone store is in the former Clinique location. Old Navy is moving to the Forever 21 location. Sport Chek has moved to the old Gap location. The part of the mall where they used to be located is all behind hoarding as it looks like that section of the mall will be demolished or something.

The Abercrombie & Fitch store is really weird, it looks like they just took over an old clothing store and threw up some signs and filled the space with their clothes, does not feel or look like the typical A&F store. Strange layout and small selection of merchandise.

SpongeG · #**15651** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 5:09 PM**

i like this brand.

Maison Kitsuné to Open 1st Canadian Store and Café in Vancouver’s Historic Gastown

Quote:

Paris-based fashion and music brand Maison Kitsuné will open its first Canadian location in Vancouver’s historic Gastown area this fall. The storefront will also house the company’s new café concept. The Vancouver store signals a milestone for the Gastown area and also shows confidence in brick-and-mortar retail in this country as international retailers continue to target Canada for first-to-market storefronts.

The Vancouver Maison Kitsuné store will open in the 155 Water Street building that has seen a significant renovation. Maison Kitsuné will occupy two combined retail spaces at 157-159 Water Street spanning a total of about 2,400 square feet with about 30 feet of street frontage. The store will include a retail component housing the brand’s unique and edgy fashions as well as a food and beverage concept called Café Kitsuné.

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...and-cafe-in-vancouvers-historic-gastown/

whatnext · #**15652** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 6:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestEnd604

I sincerely hope the new owner invests in upgrading the look of the current Toys R Us stores. The one on Broadway is a disaster, and SOMETHING needs to be done with that stupid "Frankensign". For goodness sake it's an abomination.

Agree that sign is horrendous. Better to redevelop the site as residential and require the sign be restored to its original BowMac appearance.

Vin · #**15653** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 8:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i like this brand.

Maison Kitsuné to Open 1st Canadian Store and Café in Vancouver’s Historic Gastown

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...and-cafe-in-vancouvers-historic-gastown/

Microsoft will occupy the office building space next door.

As for Maison Kitsune, I sure hope it won't be broken into continuously like so many businesses are in the downtown area. Many businesses here are starting to install heavy-duty gates and window grills.

jollyburger · #**15654** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 10:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Agree that sign is horrendous. Better to redevelop the site as residential and require the sign be restored to its original BowMac appearance.

If they aren't going to light it up then I don't even see the purpose of keeping it.

Changing City · #**15655** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 10:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

Microsoft will occupy the office building space next door.

Microsoft already occupy the office space, and it isn't just the building next door, the building that will have Maison Kitsuné as a tenant is part of the same building, and Microsoft's offices are above it as well.

Vin · #**15656** Posted **Aug 24, 2021, 11:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changing City

Microsoft already occupy the office space, and it isn't just the building next door, the building that will have Maison Kitsuné as a tenant is part of the same building, and Microsoft's offices are above it as well.

Yes you are right. It's an entire building that is made to look like two. When we give directions, we still say Microsoft is next door to Maison Kitsune. Well if you say Microsoft is already occupying the office portion, I take your word for it.

Love this development, and wish more of the DTES can go through gentrification like this.

jollyburger · #**15657** Posted **Aug 25, 2021, 1:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i like this brand.

Maison Kitsuné to Open 1st Canadian Store and Café in Vancouver’s Historic Gastown

Low Tide announced this on their Instagram back in April

svlt · #**15658** Posted **Aug 25, 2021, 5:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

Love this development, and wish more of the DTES can go through gentrification like this.

Gastown is plenty gentrified and still, heavy presence of open drug use and human waste.

What is it about fancy hipster-y type stores selling expensive merchandise and being located in the grungiest parts of town in many cities? Profit margins must already be huge.

Vin · #**15659** Posted **Aug 25, 2021, 6:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by svlt

Gastown is plenty gentrified and still, heavy presence of open drug use and human waste.

What is it about fancy hipster-y type stores selling expensive merchandise and being located in the grungiest parts of town in many cities? Profit margins must already be huge.

It's because its neighbour DTES isn't really gentrified. It's a spill-over effect, as well as due to City negligence.

officedweller · #**15660** Posted **Aug 25, 2021, 6:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by svlt

What is it about fancy hipster-y type stores selling expensive merchandise and being located in the grungiest parts of town in many cities? Profit margins must already be huge.

Maybe high margin but low volume sales?