[SpongeG]

i saw that place one day - it was closed looked neat - theres some funky shops in gastown in recent months

high end sneaker place just around the block from there

[officedweller]

Nice - is that in the Koret Lofts building? (guessing from the exterior shot)

[osirisboy]

i saw that place one day - it was closed looked neat - theres some funky shops in gastown in recent months

high end sneaker place just around the block from there

I have to agree, gastown has a lot of new things in it and I was amazed when i was walking around the other week after not having been there in over a year.

[GeeCee]

probably late summer - its only being cleared right now - but those things can go up fast

there will be an east side marios next to it


i'll believe it when i see it.. they've been 'expanding' to seattle area and vancouver since 2005. :p

[SpongeG]

i'll believe it when i see it.. they've been 'expanding' to seattle area and vancouver since 2005. :p

they have a sign up

I would take a pic if i could get there i am usually blessed with green lights at that intersection :haha: :hell: :haha:

[GeeCee]

they have a sign up

I would take a pic if i could get there i am usually blessed with green lights at that intersection :haha: :hell: :haha:

:cool: Please PM me if you're able to grab one.

[jlousa]

Here's the report going to council about increasing the hours of liquor sales for food primary (restaurants). Across the board increases, while not as much as some people would like it's probably a good starting point, we can re-evaluate in a few years.

http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/documents/pe3FoodPrimaryHoursofService.pdf

[officedweller]

From the Toronto Star:

http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/04/dc/c17a2a824d86aa8f18f8cc81dc8d.jpeg
Hudson’s Bay Co. is launching a redesigned corporate logo.

The Bay launches Olympian rebranding effort
New owners anxious to link store to `pride, passion' for Games

February 11, 2009
Dana Flavelle
Business Reporter

The new owners of the Hudson's Bay Co. will face one of their first visible tests tomorrow when they unveil the Olympic torchbearers' uniform on a stage in Whistler, B.C., as part of a high-profile one-year countdown to the 2010 Winter Games.

The country's oldest retailer is hoping to revitalize its brand by linking its image more closely to the Olympics. As part of that effort, the company is launching a redesigned corporate logo, one it hopes will connect the company's future to its storied past. The Olympic uniforms will bear the insignia.

"For me, the Olympics is this unique opportunity where all of this pride, passion, enthusiasm, competition, heritage that this country is garnering for the support of the Olympics – all of those attributes are what I'm trying to connect to my company," said Jeffrey Sherman, the American retail executive who runs the parent firm, Hudson's Bay Trading Co.

The goal has so far eluded the company, which won the right four years ago under different owners to outfit Canada's athletes for the next four Olympic games, a highly coveted prize worth millions if handled properly.

The previous holders of that title, Roots Canada, shot to international prominence after television viewers around the globe fell in love with the "poor boy" cap worn by Canada's athletes at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

But Hudson's Bay failed to capitalize as effectively on its position as the official outfitter. Indeed, some of the wilder looking orange print merchandise developed in conjunction with last summer's games in Beijing languished in its stores.

Sherman said he believes it's just a matter of designing and marketing it properly. "I've been critical of the way we've under-marketed our Olympic association in the past."

However, he declined to say how much more the company would spend marketing the brand, saying a lot of activities would be focused in stores, such as Olympic contests that don't cost much.

The company plans to use some of the same designers but focus more on products that remain appealing after the games are over, he said.

Since taking over Hudson's Bay last July, the new owners, NRDC Equity Partners, have invested $70 million in the 600-store chain that includes the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and Fields, while cutting 1,000 back-office jobs to save money.

The worsening economy has jettisoned plans to bring its U.S. chain, Lord & Taylor, and jewellery and housewares chain Fortunoff to Canada, raising questions about how to fill the excess space in some of its Canadian stores.

While saying there are no plans at this time to close any stores, Sherman said he couldn't rule that out 12 to 18 months down the road.

In the meantime, the company plans to begin introducing exclusive brands, he said. U.S. menswear designer Joseph Abboud's Black/Brown line is coming to the Bay while Zellers is getting Pure, a new women's career wear line designed by Canadian Alfred Sung.

[SpongeG]

Pottery Barn Kids Opens this saturday Feb 21 - south granville

[officedweller]

The Gap @ Pacific Centre is expanding into the former luggage store next door - so the end result may be similar in size to the old store.

[metroXpress]

Do you guys know about the Wal-Mart Supercentre that opened where
the old Costco used to be..it is on Grandview Highway. I got a pic for it!

It opened on Jan 14th!

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/452/dsc04175uq6.th.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc04175uq6.jpg)


Photo taken by me...uploaded on ImageShack (click on pic for link)

[jlousa]

Thanks for the update we didn't know that it opened over month ago. :tup:

[nova9]

i saw that place one day - it was closed looked neat - theres some funky shops in gastown in recent months

high end sneaker place just around the block from there

That's Livestock I think you're referring to. Alife is also there. and the new John Fluevog store. I love it there.

Livestock also has a Kits location and a Toronto location (point of pride, they expanded to T.O. from vancouver). they also throw these amazing 2 or 3 time a year sales and this mean block party at the end of summer or beginning of fall. I love them.

[SpongeG]

maybe its across from the new Stussy store never caught the name just saw the sneaks

[SpongeG]

the new Pottery Barn Kids opened today - around 5 pm it was pretty busy - some cool things

pics by me
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/illuminate/DSC01230.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/illuminate/DSC01231.jpg

its neighbours look kinda shabby

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/illuminate/DSC01233.jpg

[osirisboy]

thanks, looks ok. whats up with william sonoma? could they have chosen an uglier building to go in. Do they have plans to take over the second floor and redo the rest of the building?

[SpongeG]

i don't think so - the upper floor are apartments - nothing to do with the retail

I suppose they could ask the landlord to fix it up but I doubt they would

[officedweller]

The Whole Foods at Crossroads has a "living wall" on 8th Ave.

[LeftCoaster]

Yeah so will the office building above it, a 4 storey living wall in fact.

Also Milestones is likely going in Crossroads as well. Not sure if a contract has been signed but everything looks like a go at this point.

[Spork]

Foot Locker at Pacific Centre is going at the end of the month. I heard this from a Bell rep at the kiosk across from the store. No idea what is replacing it.

[LeftCoaster]

Oh also forgot to post this. It is now confirmed that Sephora will also be opening a Coquitlam Centre location and a Metrotown location along with their Pacific Centre location. All three stores should open at nearly the same time.

[officedweller]

Yeah so will the office building above it, a 4 storey living wall in fact.

Looks like it is made up of individual cells - like the one that Busby had on Homer Street [as a test? - is it still there?] - as opposed to Woodward's vines climbing up a trellis (or up a wall like the vines at Canadian Tire (6th Ave side of the Cambie store)).


There's also still an empty space on the upper level of Pacific Centre between H&M and Le Chateau. It has a wide frontage, but I don't think its very deep (elevator and staircase behind it.)

[SpongeG]

didn't the footlocker chain go bankrupt? or it decided to close a bunch of stores? or maybe Pacific Centre is not renewing leases to bring in new retailers? as metrotown is doing

Cafe Artigiano has opened on Broadway - just next to the shoppers drug mart in that space that sat empty for a very long time -they divided the former big space into 3 spaces

[SpongeG]

Oh also forgot to post this. It is now confirmed that Sephora will also be opening a Coquitlam Centre location and a Metrotown location along with their Pacific Centre location. All three stores should open at nearly the same time.

according to facebook - coq centre and pac centre both open july 10 and metrotown opens in october

[LeftCoaster]

Not that I would usually trust facebook as a source, but that seems correct. I can check the project documents and get back to you guys with a confirmation.

[sacrifice333]

Cafe Artigiano has opened on Broadway - just next to the shoppers drug mart in that space that sat empty for a very long time -they divided the former big space into 3 spaces

By the Laurel or Pine Shoppers?!

[SpongeG]

by VGH where the wendys/tim hortons is

[officedweller]

The Hills display centre at Georgia & Seymour is being replaced witha clothing store - "Sasso"?

[metroXpress]

An Urban Fare grocery store is opened beside Shangri-La!

They don't have a shredder for the cheese yet...still waiting for the machine.

[osirisboy]

An Urban Fare grocery store is opened beside Shangri-La!

They don't have a shredder for the cheese yet...still waiting for the machine.

:shrug:

Allen how long have you been away?

[jlousa]

Starbucks has opened a second store at Robson and Thurlow. :haha:

[SpongeG]

^^^ thats crazy - I bet one closes in months - what are they thinking :haha:

[osirisboy]

funny jlousa

[vanlaw]

The Hills display centre at Georgia & Seymour is being replaced witha clothing store - "Sasso"?

..and all of the hoarding/signage is gone from the Eldorado property.

[WarrenC12]

..and all of the hoarding/signage is gone from the Eldorado property.

Long live the Eldorado! :cheers:

Has the Hills officially been canceled? What happens in situations like this, do they go back to the Eldo and offer to extend the lease?

[officedweller]

That would make sense - like the IGA Marketplace at Broadway & Arbutus

[jlousa]

The owner of the Eldorado still owns the site always did, Holborn was just going to be the developer. The current owner still wants to develop and is looking for a new partner, although he might have to wait a tad longer now.

[metroXpress]

:shrug:

Allen how long have you been away?

Sorry...that was my first visit to Shangri la...

[osirisboy]

^^ alright youre forgiven :)

[officedweller]

Walked through Vancouver Centre mall yesterday - the place is really torn apart.
Oddly, you can see through where the Regis Framing store was (and where the Canada Line entrance is supposed to be) but you can't see any doors or openings to the station yet.

[Spork]

Freshslice at Granville & Broadway (ish) has closed down.

[98fb]

The shopping rumour mill is abound as we've heard from a credible source that Vancouver (more specifically Metrotown in Burnaby) will be getting its first Forever 21.

[LotusLand]

The shopping rumour mill is abound as we've heard from a credible source that Vancouver (more specifically Metrotown in Burnaby) will be getting its first Forever 21.

source?

[SpongeG]

I wonder where there isn't much space

but i have been hearing that the mall has not been renewing some leases in order to bring in better/different retailers

most F21 stores I have been to are huge like H&M huge

lots of fans of that store in the city here

[SpongeG]

Home Outfitters is opening up in the old Linens N Things next to the IKEA in Coquitlam

[ryanmaccdn]

H&M will be taking that large space near Mariposa..... H&M has had a huge focus on trying to find space in the last year so it's only natural they take that spot.

But F21 could go in many other spaces.... if you look around the mall alot of spaces are showing up.... that asian food restaurant in the Metropolis part is going... and a bunch of small places near Danier Leather are going.

Honestly its about time! I don't know why they have all these mom and pop stores there. Vancouver needs way better mall fashion retailers to get it back to a decent level.

[MistyMountainHop]

Freshslice at Granville & Broadway (ish) has closed down.

:banana: Hooray! :banana:

[osirisboy]

Home Outfitters is opening up in the old Linens N Things next to the IKEA in Coquitlam

im not surprised. I would be surprised if they dont take over most of the old linens n things stores if its possible. I constantly confused those stores with each other. Wonder if they will go into the one in west van.

[SpongeG]

H&M will be taking that large space near Mariposa..... H&M has had a huge focus on trying to find space in the last year so it's only natural they take that spot.

But F21 could go in many other spaces.... if you look around the mall alot of spaces are showing up.... that asian food restaurant in the Metropolis part is going... and a bunch of small places near Danier Leather are going.

Honestly its about time! I don't know why they have all these mom and pop stores there. Vancouver needs way better mall fashion retailers to get it back to a decent level.

its suppossed to go up stairs near the elevators - across from where buffalo is - currently in the spot is a tacky home decor store most of the area is boarded up now but the stores will have to close down soon when their leases run out

I read elsewhere from people who work at some of the smaller mom and pop stores that they were not getting their leases renewed since so many national and US retailers are trying to get into the mall now and there just hasn't been any space

just short listing stores that are opening in Ontario and Calgary that aren't here or on their way and could be are: Sketchers, Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, Sephora, Abercrombie Kids, Forever 21

[LotusLand]

agreed. Our malls need better retailers. Leave the Mom and Pops to street retail locations on up and coming 'hoods lol.

[nova9]

I wish that would happen to Aberdeen Centre - more recognized brands (re: not chains) but better stores.

[teriyaki]

I wish that would happen to Aberdeen Centre - more recognized brands (re: not chains) but better stores.

Aberdeen as a shopping destination has been a complete failure thus far. The rent is too high for entrepreneuers. The traffic flow is too low for any recognized store to choose it over Richmond Centre, and dare I say Lansdowne.

I wish some of the stores from Oakridge Mall, 4th street, Broadway etc, would consider opening up shop in Aberdeen. It would give it a different personality unlike any other mall in Richmond.

[SpongeG]

its always been busy when i have been to it

but the stores never really change

daiso is the only reason to go for me - Giordano should be better advertised - a friend of mine is from saudi arabia and he loves Giordano they are very popular in SA and he was surprised to find out we had one (he never did get there - he will go home to SA soon)

[officedweller]

NOticed that the TacoTime Cantina on Granville is gone and will be replaced by Olympia Pizza Express.

[SpongeG]

yeah its been closed a few months

and like we need another pizza place - ugh

they need more kebob places :)

[djh]

Another Cafe Artigiano is supposed to be opening in the Broadway corridor...in the Crossroads development (Cambie/Broadway). Near the Blenz. Supposedly the owners of Artigiano and Blenz hate each other.
That now officially makes Cambie and Broadway the most Coffee-Crazy Corner in the city: 2 Starbucks, 1 Blenz, 1 Artigiano, 2 independents, and several more chains within a few block radius.
Tea anyone?

[LotusLand]

Another Cafe Artigiano is supposed to be opening in the Broadway corridor...in the Crossroads development (Cambie/Broadway). Near the Blenz. Supposedly the owners of Artigiano and Blenz hate each other.
That now officially makes Cambie and Broadway the most Coffee-Crazy Corner in the city: 2 Starbucks, 1 Blenz, 1 Artigiano, 2 independents, and several more chains within a few block radius.
Tea anyone?

LOL yeah I switched to Tea a long time ago. Funny enough I found the best tea in town at Blenz, who'd a thunk it! Also did anyone know they were a local company! Go Blenz, screw SBUX lol. I'm gonna go get a Matcha Latte now (its a great cure for a hangover)

[johnjimbc]

Blenz does have good tea. And they give you the little teapots as well, though in some you have to ask.

I'm a big fan of Blenz. Sometimes I like stronger coffee, for which Cafe Artigiano is good. But most of the time I just want a milder (non-burned) taste. Starbucks has always been too strong and burnt tasting for me.

Even Timmies has good coffee though, great for travel.

[LeftCoaster]

Artigiano has the best coffee of the big chains... hands down. Blenz has the best mochas and hot chocolates though, they really cant be beat.

[LotusLand]

Yeah Blenz has great hot chocolates. After trying theirs I couldn't go back to that Starbucks hot chocolate. Teas and Hot chocolates are what I go to Blenz for. Timmie and Starbucks just for convenience. I don't drink coffee so I can't really comment on that.

[s211]

What about Waves? I'm seeing more and more around, but have never been to one...

[LotusLand]

What about Waves? I'm seeing more and more around, but have never been to one...

To me Waves seems like a cheap Blenz knock-off :haha: Seriously, they do have free wireless, but so does Blenz and the a lot of the independents are now offering it too...Does Sbux still charge for wireless?

[LeftCoaster]

yes and no, you just have to have a starbucks card and you get 2 hours free wireless... so in a way it is the same as the other places in that you have to buy a coffee to use the net.

[WarrenC12]

I think Waves went on a huge franchise push. Probably a lot of new ones are owned by new business owners who "want to run a coffee shop". Best of luck to them, but I'm guessing many will fail in this recession. :(

[LotusLand]

Thanks for the info leftcoaster.

[SpongeG]

como lake plaza in coquitlam is being partly demolished and rebuilt as well as part of the parking lot that was a former gas station is finally being developed

[entheosfog]

I think Waves went on a huge franchise push. Probably a lot of new ones are owned by new business owners who "want to run a coffee shop". Best of luck to them, but I'm guessing many will fail in this recession. :(

there's one about to open on Main at Cordova in the building that used to be pink and white. I wonder how that one will do...it is right across the street from the copshop and courts and stuff...but another new Waves is just a few blocks from there...

[SpongeG]

was at pac centre today - it was like christmas busy - its gonna be crazy when can line opens

sony has an awesome new thin TV really nice bravia for $4199

hollister was really busy, H&M was insanely busy, Vancouver centre is getting all ready for the Canada Line - signage all over it stating so

anyway this spot on Granville is finally done and ready for something new

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/march%202009/DSC01554.jpg
pic by me

[LotusLand]

there's one about to open on Main at Cordova in the building that used to be pink and white. I wonder how that one will do...it is right across the street from the copshop and courts and stuff...but another new Waves is just a few blocks from there...

Their positioning themselves for the lower end of the market me thinks. Or they are hoping for some crazy gentrification to take place in the next few years :shrug:

[Spork]

TGI Fridays in Metrotown has closed down. Bankruptcy. I'm not sure if its for the entire company or just the franchisee.

[SpongeG]

the same franchisee couldn't make TGIF work on Robson - I think Vancouver is just a little too foody for TGIF's

[Whalleyboy]

TGI Fridays in Metrotown has closed down. Bankruptcy. I'm not sure if its for the entire company or just the franchisee.
nooo now where will i drink when i go to metrotown=(

lol

[metroXpress]

TGI Fridays in Metrotown has closed down. Bankruptcy. I'm not sure if its for the entire company or just the franchisee.


When did you see it close down? :koko: I was at Metrotown two weeks ago.

[Spork]

When did you see it close down? :koko: I was at Metrotown two weeks ago.

I have a friend who worked there who was officially laid off on Friday night.

[metroXpress]

^ Thank you. That's why....

[jlousa]

I used to be a big fan of the Bread Garden when they first came out, they went downhill a few years back, but they are getting better again. Anyways looks like they plan on expanding again, pretty aggressively too.

Franchisees plan to open Bread Garden restaurants:
•at UBC this week;
•in Brisbane, Australia, April 1;
•in the Kamloops Airport,June 1;
•in the Vancouver International Airport July 1;
•in the new downtown Canadian Broadcasting Corp. complex this summer;
•at the northeast corner of Davie and Hornby streets July 1.

[mr.x]

^ where at UBC?

[SpongeG]

bread garden was good when it was still owned by that meinhardt lady before she sold it off to CARA but its ok

Godiva has shut down on robson street

there are a few empty store fronts near it now - perhaps someone wants to join them all together and open something bigger?

anyone know anything?

[officedweller]

The Prima Taste Restaurant at Robson & Seymour has been replaced by a japanese restaurant.

[jlousa]

Forgot to mention there is a new sushi place at Waterfront Centre, opened up where Windsor knot used to be, no great loss, nor gain.

[LotusLand]

Looks like H&M is coming to Metrotown for sure, I don't know if this has been mentioned before (I'm too lazy to go back to previous post).

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009/03/h-coming-to-metrotown.html

[officedweller]

New restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VANCOUVER’S RESTAURANT SCENE SET TO HEAT UP AGAIN WITH
ORU
Fairmont Pacific Rim Partners with Local Architecture and Design Firm mgb for
New Restaurant and Lounge

March 4, 2009 Vancouver, BC - Downtown Vancouver’s newest hotel will boast
more than just breathtaking views. The Fairmont Pacific Rim will also house Oru,
an upscale restaurant capitalizing on Vancouver’s multicultural vibe, with a focus
on traditional dishes from Pacific Rim Countries authentically prepared utilizing
locally sourced and responsibly harvested ingredients. Slated to open in advance
of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Oru’s cuisine,
interiors, and design will be inspired by British Columbia and Asia Pacific.
Award winning Vancouver architecture firm mgb has been tasked with
developing every aspect of the restaurant - from logo and furniture design to the
architecture and interiors. The first design challenge of the new restaurant has
already been solved with the addition of a dedicated entrance off of the new
Canada Place Way, which will lead guests into Oru from street level. This
separate entrance will position Oru as both a hotel restaurant and bar, and a chic
destination for city dwellers.
Once inside, guests will be struck by a number of innovative interior design
elements. A spectacular 180 ft long by 5ft wide light sculpture will run the length
of the restaurant. mgb has already begun collaborating with local origami artist
Joseph Wu to create this stunning visual piece. Another impressive feature will
be the full height wooden wall of 8-inch thick lumber, reclaimed from the hotel
site, which will separate the restaurant’s dining room from the wine tasting room
and private dining room. Both origami and reclaimed wood will play a large part
in Oru’s interior to counterbalance the cuisine with the restaurant’s picturesque
location on Vancouver’s waterfront. The name Oru has no direct translation, but
is derived from the Japanese meaning “to fold.”

Render from Scout Magazine:
http://scoutmagazine.ca/scout/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gview.jpg
http://scoutmagazine.ca/category/blogs/gluttony/

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6786/56840331.png (http://img25.imageshack.us/my.php?image=56840331.png)

[osirisboy]

well thats good but ugh another asian themed restaurant

[SpongeG]

Mr Mikes is opening up in the old and now converted Canadian Tire on Scott Road

[NewfBC]

bread garden was good when it was still owned by that meinhardt lady before she sold it off to CARA but its ok

Godiva has shut down on robson street

there are a few empty store fronts near it now - perhaps someone wants to join them all together and open something bigger?

anyone know anything?


CARA does not own Bread Garden. Bread Garden, Milestones, Boathouse, and some others? used to all be operated by Spectra Group in Vancouver. Milestones was sold to CARA.. not sure who controls the rest now.

Ron.

[SpongeG]

CARA does not own Bread Garden. Bread Garden, Milestones, Boathouse, and some others? used to all be operated by Spectra Group in Vancouver. Milestones was sold to CARA.. not sure who controls the rest now.

Ron.

I don't know who it owns it now

I think the meinhardt lady sold it off to Cara foods though and they sold it again

after she sold it she opened the gourmet grocery store on granville street bearing her name

[jlousa]

Not really retail but this felt like the best place to post this anyways.

Staff are recommending that council approve of a new liquor primary at 135 Keefer St. It's nice to see a lot of new places opening up in that area, slowing bringing life back.

The applicant, 0817864 BC Ltd. is proposing to establish a 60 seat Liquor Establishment Class 1 with a 12 seat outdoor patio on city property at this location. The proposed hours of operation for the liquor primary (lounge) are from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. weekends for the first six months of operation. Extended hours of operation may be considered once the six month trial period has elapsed and no issues/concerns arose during this time period. The extended hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. weekends. The applicant states that the proposed liquor establishment (lounge) is situated in the hub of Chinatown and will cater to the diverse population and business community of Chinatown, Tinseltown, Gastown and Strathcona. The clientele will be roughly 30 years of age and older consisting of a diverse mix of working professionals, local residents and tourists to Vancouver. The applicant hopes to create a relaxing atmosphere with a small venue for occasional local music talent to perform and a location for community events and fundraisers for local causes. Food service will also be available during operating hours which is a requirement under the Provincial Liquor Primary license “Terms and Conditions” guide.
The proposed establishment will be located on the ground floor of a designated and protected heritage building. The unit was previously known as “Silkhaus” and has been vacant for quite some time. Development Permit No. 411880 was issued November 13, 2008 to the applicant for rehabilitation and change of use of this existing Heritage “C” building to retail use on the ground floor, one residential unit on each the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors, and to add an upper floor (5th) with one residential unit. Staff in Heritage Planning have advised that it is unlikely that the change of use from retail to lounge would have a significant impact on existing HRA and incentives approved.

[officedweller]

Petcetera ...

Petcetera intends to file for bankruptcy protection
Richmond-based company offering huge discounts

Richard Dettman VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) | Friday, March 20th, 2009 12:09 pm
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A locally based company that employs 1600 people has fallen victim to the recession and credit crunch.
Richmond-based Petcetera is the largest Canadian owned seller of pet supplies with 49 stores nationwide, however, it is short on cash and low on sales.
The company intends to file bankruptcy protection.
Company owner Dan Urbani hopes the life-saving cash will come from a liquidation sale beginning tomorrow.
Announced discounts of up to 70% are a desperate attempt to raise cash and could mean Petcetera's lenders are unwilling to lend.
Urbani says in light of the recession's impact on the Canadian retail industry we have to take drastic measures in the short term.

[SpongeG]

i don't know what happenned to the Petcetera in coquitlam - it looks half closed - its either been shut down and changing to something else or renovated

recession or not people still have pets and need pet things - they should be doing better than they are to keep customers - the stores i have visited are awful in the service dept

[wrenegade]

The Petcetera news is not surprising at all. PetSmart kills them.

[WarrenC12]

Unfortunate news since Petcetera is a local company, but ya, not surprising.

I live in East Van not far from the Petcetera on Grandview and Rupert. That place is depressing inside, sales staff are borderline useless.

Tisol recently opened up nearby, and its fantastic. Petsmart as well, they are ok but prices are a little higher so far.

[Vancity]

New restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim:

very nice. thanks!

[metroXpress]

New FUTURE SHOP and THE BRICK and INDIGO are opening soon in Grandview Corners...which is in South Surrey

[osirisboy]

wow a new future shop. it seems like years since they opened a new store.

[osirisboy]

regarding the "big" sale at Petcetera. Only the christmas stuff is 70% off. there are very few things like bird cages that are 50% off but everything else is only 20% off. Also they switched their return policy to all sales final, even if you buy something thats defective it doesnt matter.

[officedweller]

Noticed on the Cadillac Fairview website that the old Pacific Centre Fairweather location is marked as Le Chateau. No signage in the mall though.

http://www.cfspace.com/pdf/plans/pclop02_floorplan.pdf

[Denscity]

Yes, they also still mark the existing space as Le Chateau as well. Hmm

[SpongeG]

So they are moving?

or will they keep both spaces?

that street level space is prime - if they move out i wonder what will move in?

[vango]

Apple is advertising job openings at their new Oakridge Mall store. No opening date or location in the mall given.

[SpongeG]

there was some stores shutting down near the food court i think