[Surrey] King George Hub | U/C

[EhJay]

Originally Posted by jlove390

The Hub one won't open until 2023 according to this: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/joll...-george-surrey

Cheers

[SpongeG]

There is a new Part 3 of the commercial. It's just as bad. There were two older couples, in their 50s, coming out of the elevator complaining about how awful everything was and were very loud and angry and how stupid the place was and they couldn't find how to get into Save-On-Foods. Same type of comments I saw online, people complaining about the parking and the impossible to find entrance and what a stupid location for a store. Well people it wasn't designed for suburban shoppers to drive up to like a typical suburban store in a sea of parking.

Some pics from today. I didn't catch it but when the skytrain runs through it looks pretty cool. Reminds of parts of Tokyo.

2022-02-03_07-14-48 by snub_you, on Flickr

2022-02-03_07-14-40 by snub_you, on Flickr

2022-02-03_07-14-32 by snub_you, on Flickr

[Galaxy]

I love the fact people are going to the new Save On and expecting the suburban experience and complaining about the urban experience they get!

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

I love the fact people are going to the new Save On and expecting the suburban experience and complaining about the urban experience they get!

Because it's Surrey and there are SFH neighbourhoods a block away.

[Vin]

Lovely pictures! Remind me of Marine Gateway but only grander. Good job Surrey!

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

There is a new Part 3 of the commercial. It's just as bad. There were two older couples, in their 50s, coming out of the elevator complaining about how awful everything was and were very loud and angry and how stupid the place was and they couldn't find how to get into Save-On-Foods. Same type of comments I saw online, people complaining about the parking and the impossible to find entrance and what a stupid location for a store. Well people it wasn't designed for suburban shoppers to drive up to like a typical suburban store in a sea of parking.

Great pics.

So there's no cart-friendly escalator directly into the store?
Usually you need to look for signs in the parkade for the correct escalator to the store.
Once they figure that out, it'll be easy - like finding the right area to park for RCSS at Metropolis.

The annoying thing would be pay-parking.
Is it pay-parking with a partial refund? (which is bad if you go to look for a sold-out item on sale).

[nickinacan]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Great pics.

So there's no cart-friendly escalator directly into the store?
Usually you need to look for signs in the parkade for the correct escalator to the store.
Once they figure that out, it'll be easy - like finding the right area to park for RCSS at Metropolis.

The annoying thing would be pay-parking.
Is it pay-parking with a partial refund? (which is bad if you go to look for a sold-out item on sale).

You can park anywhere underground. There's 1 hour free parking at the parking stations, now option #1. Just have to enter your license plate number.

The store has two large elevators from the parkade. If you push the button for floor 1, it lets you on the outside of the building. If you push 1R, it lets you directly into the store.

I must say though, there are quite a few upset people that aren't happy with the change of locations (2 minutes away from the old one), the parking (Sure it's not a suburban style store, but there is lots of parking, just don't try to park right next to the elevators), and trying to navigate the new store (It's the same as most newer Save-On stores). Give it a month and people will get used to it.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by nickinacan

You can park anywhere underground. There's 1 hour free parking at the parking stations, now option #1. Just have to enter your license plate number.

The store has two large elevators from the parkade. If you push the button for floor 1, it lets you on the outside of the building. If you push 1R, it lets you directly into the store.

I must say though, there are quite a few upset people that aren't happy with the change of locations (2 minutes away from the old one), the parking (Sure it's not a suburban style store, but there is lots of parking, just don't try to park right next to the elevators), and trying to navigate the new store (It's the same as most newer Save-On stores). Give it a month and people will get used to it.

As much as I love the urban design and direction that it is going in. However I can't help but feel that the design of it was a bit of a miscalculation for the people it would serve that live nearby right now. In the future, as Surrey Central starts to really densify, I am sure that the urban grocer experience will be something that people will come to expect.

But it's not a problem that some good signage and pathfinding can't fix; so I just think that it's a mixture of people being resistant to change and not realizing that the experience being offered is an urban grocer as opposed to a suburban grocer with tons of parking nearby an entrance .

[nickinacan]

Originally Posted by scryer

As much as I love the urban design and direction that it is going in. However I can't help but feel that the design of it was a bit of a miscalculation for the people it would serve that live nearby right now. In the future, as Surrey Central starts to really densify, I am sure that the urban grocer experience will be something that people will come to expect.

But it's not a problem that some good signage and pathfinding can't fix; so I just think that it's a mixture of people being resistant to change and not realizing that the experience being offered is an urban grocer as opposed to a suburban grocer with tons of parking nearby an entrance .

I agree. It's a big jump going from a building that was built in 1968 to their new location. There are some things that might be a problem for a while, such as people parking on top of the roundabout to the parkade entrance, drivers not used to underground parking having issues navigating the curved ramp down, and the odd intersections in the parkade with the tiniest stop signs I have ever seen. All will be fixed with time.

[SpongeG]

I've been there twice, and both times it's been much busier in the store than the old location, Visits are by me have been done at about the same time, early evening after 6:30. The new store has more visible staff, they had three cashiers, the old store at the same time would generally only have one cashier.

It also seems that a lot of the customers are walking to the store, you can tell that they are walking out with a small bag not an overflowing cart that they need a car to get it home. I think many people such as myself shop that way these days, get the items you need for the day or the next day and shop a few more times than a big once a week haul. So it's very handy. Also parking underground at that time the parking has had less than a dozen cars so finding a spot is very easy. The doors are a little tricky, it's not clear which one is a door and which is just glass.

I do see those people parked on the roundabout too lol.

There are plenty of stores people can still drive to, the 152/FH store is less than a 10-minute drive from the old store.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the info.
The elevator is the same as the 4th Ave No Frills. They just need to put a sign next to the button for the Save-on-Foods side door. I think the parking issue is about bad drivers who don't know the dimensions of their car (SUVs?) so are antsy about driving in tight quarters. That said, some residential underground parkades are not designed with drive aisles for commercial volumes of vehicles (think Madison Centre or International Village).

[SpongeG]

the elevator doesn't open into the store despite using the button for it. Maybe it will be a future option but you have to exit to the outside only. Maybe it's related to covid restrictions and only wanting one controlled entry.

Signage would be helpful, it's a little confusing but there is really one option 1 or 1R and the one level of parking.

There are store maps available when you enter the store, the store itself is pretty small and has an easy layout to follow. The pharmacy is physically separated and has its own entrance by the main entrance so it can look like it's a separate store, I like that feature but I guess if you're old looking for cough syrup it requires paying attention.

[Repthe250]

I went there today, and I can understand some of the negative comments. For one, it’s way smaller and more cramped. This area just lost a safeway and the save on has been significantly downgraded. The parking area is extremely busy with one narrow entrance/exit and very tight once you get down there. It’s a nice looking store, and people will warm up to it. However, losing a safeway and going from a large, spacious save on foods to this one is a bit of a trigger and I expect once more people start using it, there is going to be lots of traffic lined up to get into that underground parking lot.

[dferch]

I feel like there will definitely be another grocery store coming into the area as things get redeveloped. The safeway, save on, and t&t were all there for years when the population was lower

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Repthe250

I went there today, and I can understand some of the negative comments. For one, it’s way smaller and more cramped.

Was the old one one of those that had the big bulk foods/warehouse section?

[SpongeG]

yes, it was very big, a lot of wasted space, they filled some shelves with dollar store items that no one ever seemed to buy.

[EhJay]

I'm a fan of the new one and them using the space much better than the old one. It definitely feels smaller, but things are also closer together. Just takes a bit getting used to.

My only complaint is that they don't have any reusable bags for sale anymore. I always left my bags in my car, and now with walking over sometimes I'll have to walk to my car first or leave them up in my unit. Mild inconveniece, but not the end of the world. Was just hoping to buy a couple of more to leave them in my car and in the apartment.

[officedweller]

Maybe they're out of stock?
When did Surrey ban plastic bags?

[Repthe250]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yes, it was very big, a lot of wasted space, they filled some shelves with dollar store items that no one ever seemed to buy.

A lot of wasted space, but at least you weren’t tripping over people.
I’ve also noticed in surrey, people have no sense of self awareness in the grocery stores. Standing in the middle of aisles, on their phones, carts blocking off aisle entrances. Add this to an already small crammed space and it’s infuriating. I’ll still shop there, though. But I do like superstore on 104 for its vastness

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Repthe250

I’ve also noticed in surrey, people have no sense of self awareness in the grocery stores. Standing in the middle of aisles, on their phones, carts blocking off aisle entrances.

Oh that's not just a Surrey thing - I experience it pretty regularly in Metrotown.