Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread

[theKB]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

it's just a pick-up place for takeout, most people can get liquor cheaper at the liquor store.

Great memories during covid, the half off restaurants were giving for booze and wine would sometimes undercut BCL.

Interesting concept but I would suggest calling a spade a spade, its a ghost kitchen with seats, definitely not a Time Out Market experience but we can hope.

I just hope that it isn't leased out to food cart operators so they can overcharge for average or below average food. Would love to see some young creative chefs that want to step out on their own from various restaurants.

[NewfBC]

B.C. pub chain the Donnelly Group seeks creditor protection

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-pub-chain-donnelly-group-seeks-creditor-protection

Ron.

[NewfBC]

Originally Posted by theKB

Great memories during covid, the half off restaurants were giving for booze and wine would sometimes undercut BCL.

Interesting concept but I would suggest calling a spade a spade, its a ghost kitchen with seats, definitely not a Time Out Market experience but we can hope.

I just hope that it isn't leased out to food cart operators so they can overcharge for average or below average food. Would love to see some young creative chefs that want to step out on their own from various restaurants.

There are no seats. It's take out or delivery only.

Ron.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by theKB

Great memories during covid, the half off restaurants were giving for booze and wine would sometimes undercut BCL.

Interesting concept but I would suggest calling a spade a spade, its a ghost kitchen with seats, definitely not a Time Out Market experience but we can hope.

I just hope that it isn't leased out to food cart operators so they can overcharge for average or below average food. Would love to see some young creative chefs that want to step out on their own from various restaurants.

I walked passed on Sunday and it's being built out and it doesn't look very big, does not have any areas for seating at all. At first, I thought it was just some kitchens a person could rent out, according to the floorplan that is posted on the widows.
The article says there is one area that will house a takeout corner and then 13 kitchens that will deliver the food ordered to that counter for the customer to pick it up in that one location. It doesn't look like one walks in and goes to each vendor, its very small.

[hollywoodnorth]

Club Kitchen Launches in Downtown Vancouver, Offering Restaurateurs an Innovative Culinary Hub [Interview]

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...rs-an-innovative-culinary-hub-interview/

There is also some seating there – 17 inside and about 60 in the concourse area in The Arc.

[whatnext]

Wow, did people i the industry see that coming?

B.C. pub chain the Donnelly Group seeks creditor protection
The group operates more than a dozen pubs, cocktail clubs and restaurants in Vancouver and Toronto.
Author of the article: Cheryl Chan, Joseph Ruttle, Dan Fumano
Published May 24, 2023

The Donnelly Group, which owns pubs and clubs that are fixtures in Vancouver’s nightlife and hospitality industry, is filing for creditor protection.

The Vancouver-based company, which operates more than a dozen pubs, clubs and restaurants in Vancouver and Toronto under the Freehouse Collective, said Wednesday it has started proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) to revise the terms of existing loans and restructure debt it needed to take on to survive COVID-19.....

....In a petition filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday, the company asked the court to appoint Ernst & Young as a monitor over its affairs as it works out a restructuring plan with its creditors.

The petition involves 12 pubs, cocktail clubs and restaurants in Vancouver — including the Lamplighter, Butcher & Bullock, and Brass Fish — and two in Toronto, as well as three Barber & Co barbershops, Bomber Brewing in East Vancouver, and a company that handles the cleaning of the hospitality venues.

In total, 750 people are employed in Freehouse’s hospitality venues, 40 at Bomber Brewing, and 25 at Barber & Co.....

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-pub-chain-donnelly-group-seeks-creditor-protection

[Doodler]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

Club Kitchen Launches in Downtown Vancouver, Offering Restaurateurs an Innovative Culinary Hub [Interview]

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...rs-an-innovative-culinary-hub-interview/

There is also some seating there – 17 inside and about 60 in the concourse area in The Arc.

The reason I brought up liquor licenses, is that I had seen an earlier plan from a different operator , well before Covid that had a huge amount of seats for the various vendors. It would be difficult to obtain a liquor with a vast food hall style of seating. Different model, now that delivery has really exploded.

Will be curious of the types of operators who will sign up

[officedweller]

Various articles from the Hive:

Purebread acquired by Coho Collective Kitchens
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/purebread-acquired-coho-collective-kitchens

Pane e Formaggio opens [at 840 Howe]
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pane-e-formaggio-howe-street

Beaucoup Bakery to open inside downtown Vancouver’s St. Regis Hotel soon
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/beaucoup-bakery-st-regis-hotel-vancouver-dunsmuir-street

JJ Bean also opened up at Park Place (Dunsmuir and Hornby corner).

JJ Park Place Grand Opening Sale
https://jjbeancoffee.com/blogs/news/jj-park-place-grand-opening-sale

A family-owned Fraser Valley restaurant making its way into Metro...

Bow & Stern to open in notable location at The Amazing Brentwood
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bow-stern-the-amazing-brentwood

[SpongeG]

I went to Bow & Stern in Chilliwack, it was okay, nothing great. Shared the fish & chips and a burger, burger was dry, fish wasn't that good.

[LeftCoaster]

That doesn't sound okay, that sounds terrible.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Various articles from the Hive:

Purebread acquired by Coho Collective Kitchens
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/purebread-acquired-coho-collective-kitchens

Pane e Formaggio opens [at 840 Howe]
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pane-e-formaggio-howe-street

Beaucoup Bakery to open inside downtown Vancouver’s St. Regis Hotel soon
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/beaucoup-bakery-st-regis-hotel-vancouver-dunsmuir-street

JJ Bean also opened up at Park Place (Dunsmuir and Hornby corner).

JJ Park Place Grand Opening Sale
https://jjbeancoffee.com/blogs/news/jj-park-place-grand-opening-sale

A family-owned Fraser Valley restaurant making its way into Metro...

Bow & Stern to open in notable location at The Amazing Brentwood
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bow-stern-the-amazing-brentwood

Beaucoup looks to be open as of today.

That's a big risk for something that has experienced a bit of success in the valley where bow and stern are concerned. Earls does seafood towers and sushi and all the other things they talk about. Tap and Barrel hits the pub crowd. There is also a well regarded sushi place opening (Hello Nori). Seems like a risky venture opening in there without a unique concept or VERY deep pockets.

[hollywoodnorth]

Bow & Stern will get crushed there no doubt. I hear very mixed to negative things about it from people in general.

[jollyburger]

Seafood place from Abbotsford/Chilliwack. No thanks.

[theKB]

Bel Cafe in Kitsilano closed permanently rather abruptly on sunday, announced by a paper sign on their door.

Hawksworth Restaurant is in desperate need of a reno. It is looking VERY tired and run down.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by theKB

Bel Cafe in Kitsilano closed permanently rather abruptly on sunday, announced by a paper sign on their door.

Hawksworth Restaurant is in desperate need of a reno. It is looking VERY tired and run down.

There had been a For Lease sign on the Kits building for a while. It always seemed busy though.

[logan5]

Landlord is Probly asking for too much money. The 12 Kings at 12th and Kingsway looks like it is going to move because of an unsustainable hike in the lease rate. Too bad. Fun place with lots to do in there.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by logan5

Landlord is Probly asking for too much money. The 12 Kings at 12th and Kingsway looks like it is going to move because of an unsustainable hike in the lease rate. Too bad. Fun place with lots to do in there.

$18,200/mo...

https://d2wsxqxx9m1aa9.cloudfront.net/u7f8ucuz0yqaxf36s123i7nkm279

[officedweller]

The Buro coffee shop at the Avigilon Building closed down.
There are signs for a new caoffee shop called Bahar.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Buro coffee shop at the Avigilon Building closed down.
There are signs for a new caoffee shop called Bahar.

They also dumped one of their Gastown locations which also got a new name.

Telus Garden location was listed a few months ago and sold I assume.

Property Description for 579 ROBSON STREET
Located on busy Robson Street in the downtown Vancouver core. This coffee shop is already a success and waiting for its next operator. The lease is $11,500 all in, the location is 981 sqft. Take advantage of the already built in traffic that Robson street provides. Do not disturb staff. Contact listing agent.

Property Details
Property Tax: N/A
Last Updated: Mon, April 24, 2023
MLS® #: C8049368
Date Listed: Feb 2, 2023
Property Features
Property Type: Commercial
Square Footage: 981 SQFT

https://www.remax.ca/commercial/bc/vancouver-real-estate?pageNumber=1

The other location that was renamed: 356 Water Street seems like it's still on the market 289K:

Located on an iconic corner, Cordova and a busy Water Street, where Downtown meets Gastown. This 1340 sqft. Cafe is one of the top locations in Vancouver. It has a large base of regular customers and daily shoppers. This is a lifetime business opportunity for any brand cafe or bakery with a large outdoor patio potential. Selling to move back to QC. Also potential to open long hours. Owner is open to a license to operate deal, sort of a franchise, as the current brand in operation is highly successful. They will cooperate using years of local area experience and help the new management. Rent to increase $1 each year, 3 years left plus 1 more 5-year option. Rent amount is $14,500. Do not approach staff. (32364259)

https://www.remax.ca/commercial/bc/vanco...water-street-wp_idm73000671-c8043881-lst

I wonder what's happening with their Post location.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by whatnext

There had been a For Lease sign on the Kits building for a while. It always seemed busy though.

They got screwed by the CoV/thrown off the sidewalk when those great seats were always full; same old bull about permits in a place no one walks.