[SpongeG]

a lot of places on granville seem to be showing some activity - the place next to where underworld will go seems to be leased out too - it used to be that arcade...

that little florist on davie, fresh, is moving somewhere else apparently their rent was jacked up - my friend asked f they were closing when we were in there and they said no but the rent had gone up and they wanted to find something close

[officedweller]

See "Industry Roundtables" here for retail roundtable - right click and download - very large file:

http://www.bcassessment.bc.ca/businesses.asp

[SpongeG]

Liberty in North Vancouver is closed down

that leaves one store? the one on Broadway is the only left now

[SpongeG]

Blenz Wesbrook Opens with House Warming Party at UBC's MBA House

Blenz The Canadian Coffee Company Ltd. proudly announces the grand opening of Blenz Wesbrook, in the lobby of MBA House in Wesbrook Place, the newest development of the UBC neighbourhood.

Vancouver, Canada --(PR.com)-- Aman and Amrit Dhanoya proudly opened their new Blenz Coffee shop, located in the lobby of the recently completed MBA House at Wesbrook Place. With a grand opening celebration today, they invited the entire community of Wesbrook Place to the party.

This high profile location is situated on the sunny corner of the ground floor of MBA House, which was developed by UBC's Sauder School of Business to provide MBA students a world class residence with excellent facilities to encourage them to engage with each other, staff, faculty and alumni. Aman and Amrit opened the many doors to their store – wide glass doors to two sides of the lobby, to the street, and to the patio – beckoning residents and neighbours to visit, and visit they did. "Everybody has been so great. We really feel welcomed into the community," says Aman. "We're excited about building our business here, but we know we're also building friendships."

In preparation for the launch of Blenz Wesbrook, Aman completed a rigorous six-week training program with Blenz Coffee Academy. He has carefully gathered and trained his staff to ensure customers enjoy their Blenz Coffee experience, whether they arrive as large groups discussing scholarly matters, small groups enjoying a beverage, or individuals taking time out to relax and refresh.

Blenz Coffee's social retail perspective shines here with a thoughtfully furnished layout with communal tables for group discourse and comfortable low seating perfectly suited for more intimate conversation. Blenz Coffee offers free WiFi and plenty of electrical outlets to provide a convenient and comfortable place to work, research, recharge, and connect.

"We see a perfect correlation between the direction of the Blenz Coffee brand and the particular needs of the market at Wesbrook Place", says Larry Kinash, Vice President of Development for Blenz Coffee. "The community is already recognizing that Blenz Wesbrook offers the perfect meeting place for the neighbourhood."

To celebrate the grand opening of Blenz Wesbrook, Aman, Amrit and their team offered guests a variety of Shaken Iced Teas, specialty espresso drinks, and brewed teas. Caricaturist Ted Couling provided entertainment by recording the auspicious occasion with his unique style of "Latte Art". Blenz Coffee associates, suppliers, friends, and family joined the party to congratulate the Dhanoyas, bringing flowers, gifts, proud smiles, and messages of good luck.
About Blenz The Canadian Coffee Company Ltd™

Blenz The Canadian Coffee Company Ltd is a premium retailer of handcrafted coffee, tea and other innovative and delicious specialty beverages. All of Blenz' beverages are made in-store from only the highest quality ingredients available. Blenz' commitment to serving a great cup of coffee, providing an excellent customer experience, and providing world-class staff training, has fuelled Blenz' growth from its inception. Blenz operates an expanding network of franchise locations in British Columbia and overseas, including Japan and the Philippines.

http://www.franchising.com/pressreleases/12650/

[SpongeG]

Murale - shoppers drug mart brand to compete with Sephora is opening in Oakridge Centre

Teenflo is also opening in Oakridge Centre

[wrenegade]

Cactus Club will be opening in Whistler.

[officedweller]

Bizarrely -
That empty corner retail unit at Granville & Smithe (former convenience store) now has "MegaBite Pizza" opening soon all over it.
I guess that MegaBite did so well around the corner that they are either expanding or moving into the corner location. I think it's the same building.
It'll probably take them a while to open - the location around the corner took a long time to be renovated.
Hopefully they'll do something to add some life to the exterior.

[SpongeG]

ah well better than nothing I guess

the Blenz at granville and davie should be done soon I hope - its been months - passed it a couple times the last couple of days - the doors were open - looks okay can't really see much difference not that i was that familiar with the place

[sacrifice333]

Cactus Club will be opening in Whistler.

Is it still the rumour that Cactus will take over Citta's location after the landlord kicks them out for a large-scale reno that will see the restaurant space become 2-levels? Seems like they need to get on that...

[NewfBC]

Is it still the rumour that Cactus will take over Citta's location after the landlord kicks them out for a large-scale reno that will see the restaurant space become 2-levels? Seems like they need to get on that...

Last news I heard Citta has secured a new lease at that location.

Ron.

[sacrifice333]

So where's this rumoured Cactus gonna go?

p.s. Milestone's in Whistler is done.

[hollywoodnorth]

So where's this rumoured Cactus gonna go?

p.s. Milestone's in Whistler is done.

well what took over the old Earls space?

[wrenegade]

Milestones was done a while ago. White Spot is opening in Whistler, though I don't know where. Cactus is going directly beneath Earls (where Starbucks is now).

That vacant space at Granville and Smithe will be another Megabite.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3846371247_f06fffdf85_o.jpg

[Yume-sama]

Really, the last thing BC in general needs is ANOTHER White Spot. Though, they probably single handedly keep the Mayonaise industry alive.

Or a Megabite. Or a Cactus Club. We need more variety :P

Like another Japanese restaurant. :yes: :haha:

[officedweller]

Pic of the Keg taken by me today (busy patio on a Sunday afternoon)

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3893/p8231136.jpg (http://img34.imageshack.us/i/p8231136.jpg/)

[PROSTSHOCKER]

Milestones was done a while ago. White Spot is opening in Whistler, though I don't know where. Cactus is going directly beneath Earls (where Starbucks is now).

That vacant space at Granville and Smithe will be another Megabite.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3846371247_f06fffdf85_o.jpg

Wait, what?

there's one right there in the same photo. Will it just be expanding into the space next to it or do you literally mean a 2nd megabite next to the other megabite?

This is worse than Starbucks. That'll be three of them, considering the megabite at the other side of the intersection. haha

[officedweller]

I would expect them to just move the location - unless they can connect them.

[Denscity]

Really, the last thing BC in general needs is ANOTHER White Spot. Though, they probably single handedly keep the Mayonaise industry alive.

Or a Megabite. Or a Cactus Club. We need more variety :P

Like another Japanese restaurant. :yes: :haha:

We could use a White Spot here. At least put one in our Chevron which i've seen elsewhere. The closest one is 2.5 hours away in Cranbrook. Kelowna's is 3 hours away. We could use a Japanese only restaurant as well.

[hollywoodnorth]

I would expect them to just move the location - unless they can connect them.

they will be connected there is room to do so.

[osirisboy]

the keg looks good. are they not going to put a patio on the street?? also i noticed some construction activity above and beside the BMO beside the keg, anyone know whats going in there?

[jlousa]

The NE corner of Robson and Seymour (telus building) will house a Koodo store.

[officedweller]

Banana Republic in Pacific Centre is expanding into the space to the left of it (former Danier Leather?).

[Whalleyboy]

saw a sign saying the garage is coming to guildford mall right by the bay

[mr.x]

Petcetera to reopen 20 stores across Canada
New company will operate out of the original Richmond headquarters

By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun
September 1, 2009 6:30 PM

VANCOUVER — Petcetera founder Dan Urbani has resurrected about half of his former pet superstore empire from bankruptcy for a pricetag between $575,000 and $730,000, documents related to the company’s liquidation reveal.

Petcetera foundered under a $30-million mountain of debt, which forced the 45-store chain into court protection from creditors last May. In June, Petcetera closed all its stores, put some 1,500 employees out of work, and filed for bankruptcy.

On Tuesday, Urbani announced he has bought 20 of Petcetera’s best-performing locations out of liquidation and will begin reopening them under the corporate name of New Petcetera Retail Ltd., promising better product selection and more staff who will have better training.

“New Petcetera Retail Ltd. is a true sign of economic recovery,” Urbani said in a news release, with the newly reopened stores looking to cash in on more profitable specialty segments in the pet care and nutrition business.

The new company will operate out of the old Petcetera’s Richmond headquarters, and to date has been cleaning out and fixing up the 20 stores that will be reopening, executive vice-president Richard Kaga said in an interview.

“There is no doubt that the old company did not succeed, and there was a lot of people who lost money [including Urbani],” Kaga said. “Everybody got hurt in the past venture; nobody walked away unscathed.”

Kaga added that the company worked hard to restructure itself prior to filing for court protection and even during the protection period, as well as providing a return for unsecured creditors. But it couldn’t survive.

In part, the company was too shackled with debt, which included bank loans from HSBC totalling $16 million, making it the company’s largest creditor, according to the creditor list compiled by Petcetera’s receiver, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In its report to the court detailing Petcetera’s liquidation, PricewaterhouseCoopers estimated that it might recover between $1.8 million and $3.7 million from the sale of the old company’s inventory and assets, including Urbani’s purchase of the 20 stores.

PricewaterhouseCoopers entertained 19 different offers for Petcetera’s old stores, but considered Urbani’s New Petcetera offer for 20 outlets to be the best option.

Kaga said that if Urbani had not put together his offer, which will bring back about 40 per cent of the old company’s presence and employment, there would be nothing left now.

The final price that New Petcetera pays, Kaga said, will depend on finalizing the transfer of leases for two stores, one in Prince George and the big-box location on Rupert Street in Vancouver.

Kaga explained that Petcetera’s landlord on Rupert Street had terminated its lease while the company was in creditor protection. The receiver had to seek a court order to get that termination reversed so the store could be transferred back to New Petcetera.

Under its purchase agreement, New Petcetera is to pay $25,000 to secure the interest in leases for each store it is reopening and store furnishings, except Rupert Street, which will cost $205,000.

The agreement also specifies that New Petcetera will pay $50,000 to secure the lease of its Richmond head office as well as the furnishings, $25,000 to secure intellectual property rights to Petcetera’s trademarks and other fees for technological systems and software.

Kaga said Urbani is New Petcetera’s majority shareholder, but there are private investors who want to remain anonymous.

Kaga added that the firm’s officials hope they will be successful because they secured the best, most profitable locations of the firm’s predecessor, and won’t be weighed down with the same level of debt.

Since it won’t have to carry unprofitable or marginal stores, Kaga said the business will be more free to focus on a different product mix and service level.

He said the newly opened stores will have more employees, who will go through a five-level training program.

“You could say our payroll budget is increasing by 20 per cent,” Kaga said, which is not something a lot of companies can claim these days.

Petcetera’s troubles were first sounded in May 2008 when a group of former employees filed a complaint with the B.C. Labour Relations Board, alleging the company terminated almost half its workforce in an attempt to bust a union drive. But the company said it had to lay off staff because it wasn’t doing well.

depenner@vancouversun.com
© Copyright © The Vancouver Sun

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Petcetera+reopen+stores+across+Canada/1951055/story.html

[SpongeG]

wow

[officedweller]

The "ECO" sign has been removed from the store at Robson & Granville - the store still appears to be open though.

[djh]

OH LOOK. They are digging-up Cambie Street YET AGAIN... Cambie/12th is down to 1 lane southbound. Yay...er..wth?

Breathe...

- Lululemon's concept store has opened at Crossroads (Cambie/Broadway) - looks really great, so now I think all of the retail spaces are full in Crossroads (might be 1 next to McDonalds, which is the nicest Maccy-Ds I've ever seen apart from in Oxford and in Paris, btw).

- The Shopper's Drugmart in Olive (Cambie/16th) looks TOTALLY ready to open, even though they've now covered up all of the windows. I think it will open soon after the long weekend. I peeked in an open door when they were loading, and the shelves are all in, the lighting's done, the floors have been tiled. Looks like they are just waiting for stock. That went really fast. And it will be big - that space used to have Capers in it, so plenty of space, and probably 24/7 service for getting your milk and late night chocolate trips.

[SpongeG]

yes i saw that lululemon lab store - looks good - i wonder what will move in next? to that area - i bet it will get more bigger brands now - like south granville started to get

[hollywoodnorth]

according to the Agent Provocateur - Vancouver facebook group >>

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117476238865

"Vancouver Location will be reopening under new ownership some time in September."

"If you haven't seen the store before you will soon get the chance. A new Franchise Owner has come to town and we will be reopening the doors for business shortly. Come by and meet the new team and try on the new collection. Fall has never been so sexy."

[SpongeG]

thats good news

[NewfBC]

The "ECO" sign has been removed from the store at Robson & Granville - the store still appears to be open though.

They're changing this to a 'The North Face' store. Same owners.

Ron.

[djh]

according to the Agent Provocateur - Vancouver facebook group >>

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117476238865

"Vancouver Location will be reopening under new ownership some time in September."

"If you haven't seen the store before you will soon get the chance. A new Franchise Owner has come to town and we will be reopening the doors for business shortly. Come by and meet the new team and try on the new collection. Fall has never been so sexy."

It's open now - went by yesterday.
Edit: Maybe it was just a private/soft opening. The official opening is next week, just in case.

[Rusty Gull]

Lots of restaurant closings in North Vancouver.

Swiss Chalet for one (I will miss it). Also Burger King on Marine Drive (not a bad thing, I suppose). Bella Candela on Esplanade (in the site of the former original Keg). And I just discovered that Kelsey's closed earlier this year.

[SpongeG]

morgan crossing - is coming along looks like it could open in time for Christmas perhaps

[officedweller]

They're changing this to a 'The North Face' store. Same owners.

Ron.

Thanks!

[officedweller]

From NEWS1130:

Telus to purchase Black's Photography
Phone company instantly adds more retail outlets
Russ Byth VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) |
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 8:12 am

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Telus is getting into the photography business. The phone company is buying the 113 locations of Black's Photography across Canada, to give it more locations to sell its wireless products and services, particularily in Ontario.

Telus says it's a perfect fit as more wireless devices have imbedded high quality photo and video capability. Black's has a 79 year history in Canada and will continue to operate under that name with the same top management.

Telus is paying about $28 million for Black's.

[hollywoodnorth]

From NEWS1130:

interesting move....


Telus bets on pairing cellphones, digital cameras


A Telus retail store is seen in downtown Montreal Shaun Best/Reuters A Telus retail store is seen in downtown Montreal

Telus Corp. has bet that the pairing of the cellphone with the digital camera is not only a lasting trend for new mobile devices, but also represents a good sales and distribution strategy.

Tuesday, Vancouver-based Telus, a giant in the Canadian cellphone market with more than 6.3 million subscribers, acquired privately held Black's Photo Corp. for approximately $28-million.

After the sale Black's will continue to offer digital-imaging and other multimedia products to customers at its 113-store chain and begin offering wireless devices and contracts from Telus.

The deal also gives Telus some prized real estate in key markets to bolster its retail presence, analysts say. It also comes at a time when rivals like BCE Inc. are already beefing up their own distribution channels ahead of a new wave of competition.

"A Black's customer is a customer that's right in our target market," said Joe Natale, vice-president at Telus.

He added that as devices like the iPhone and BlackBerry increasingly come armed with better and more powerful digital cameras and camcorders, there was a "natural link" between Telus and the photo printing company.

"To the extent that phones are associated with cameras more so everyday, there's a relationship there," said Greg MacDonald, analyst a National Bank Financial. "For Telus and Black's, their customers are thinking [wireless] multimedia when they walk into the store."

Mr. Natale did not say Tuesday when Telus would begin selling phones and wireless services through the new chain -- yet the company may not want to wait long.

The deal comes in the wake of a major acquisition by rival BCE Inc. that will boost the retail chain of its cellphone arm, Bell Mobility, by some 750 stores. BCE paid $135-million for the bankrupt electronics retailer The Source last spring and will begin selling through the chain in January after The Source's distribution deal with Rogers Communications Inc. expires.

It will also be around that time new entrants will be muscling their way into the wireless market.

A trio of new carriers -- Globalive Communication's WIND Mobile, Public Mobile and DAVE Wireless -- have promised to launch cellphone services in major cities across Canada late this year or early next.

Both Telus and Bell are attempting to secure as many "distribution points" as possible ahead of time, Mr. MacDonald said.

"At a time when you've got new entrants coming, it's strategically smart" to buy retail outlets he said.

The acquisition of Black's will boost Telus's retail network, pushing the number of outlets to more than 1,000, spokesman Allison Vale said.

Financial Post

[SpongeG]

intreresting

Lululemon lab - stopped in today interesting space - you can watch them work on the clothes while you figure out your custom outfit

[djh]

- The Shopper's Drugmart in Olive (Cambie/16th) looks TOTALLY ready to open, even though they've now covered up all of the windows. I think it will open soon after the long weekend. I peeked in an open door when they were loading, and the shelves are all in, the lighting's done, the floors have been tiled. Looks like they are just waiting for stock. That went really fast. And it will be big - that space used to have Capers in it, so plenty of space, and probably 24/7 service for getting your milk and late night chocolate trips.

When I went by today and had another snoop inside, they were putting stock on the shelves. So my prediction of an opening soon after the long weekend still stands. Maybe it will be ready to open by next weekend?

[SpongeG]

save-on-foods at UBC has opened this past weekend

[usog]

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9104/dvc00007.jpg
Picture taken from my cellphone, excuse the noise.
Anyways, this saw this at the surrey central food court today. Is there a city where they *haven't* expanded to this year yet? They're expanding like mad it seems...

[GeeCee]

a store for cream puffs??? :sly:

[SpongeG]

^^^ yes and its extremely popular

Lululemon Athletica launches 'Ivivva Athletica' brand for preteen girls


VANCOUVER, B.C. — Lululemon Athletica Inc. (TSX:LLL) is launching a new line of clothing called "Ivivva Athletica" aimed at preteen girls, a move analysts say will open the yoga-inspired retailer to a new and underserved market.

Vancouver-based Lululemon said the brand, aimed at girls ages six to 12, will be tested with three stores in Vancouver, Victoria, and Calgary starting in November.

Lululemon chief executive Christine Day said the new brand is meant to fill a need in the market, as well as protect the Lululemon brand.

"It's a huge niche market that was missing," Day said in an interview.

"We have the opportunity to do it right in a unique community way and want to be first to the market."

Day said the company will make "appropriate athletic wear" for young girls.

Until now, she said many young girls have been buying Lululemon items in their smallest sizes.

What's more, she said the company was spending too much money on providing its free hemming for girls buying the pants intended for petit adult women.

Day said Ivivva will be different from Lululemon, a brand whose target market is women in their early 30s.

"The goal is not to have a mini Lululemon," Day said, adding that she hopes the new line will inspire younger women to be physically active.

Lululemon said the preteen line was created as a result of feedback from customers who wanted its clothing for a younger age group.

It said the new line will be geared to such sports as gymnastics, dance, figure skating, field hockey, track and field and soccer.

Retail analyst Wendy Evans, founder of Evans and Company Consultants Inc., said it's a market that very few retailers have cornered, and will appeal to active kids from more affluent families.

"I think it's an excellent idea," Evans said. "Parents are willing to spent a bit of money to have quality garments that are going to last, and the kids are interested in fashion."

Evans said having the clothing under a different label is a smart strategy.

"I think the young market wants to have a separate identity. They don't want to be seen wearing the same label as their mother, for instance," she said.

As for the timing of the launch, Evans said Lululemon could benefit from the slow economy recovery, as people begin to open their wallets again.

Lululemon said it will close its existing Oqoqo brand store locations in Vancouver and Victoria in September and reopen them as Ivivva stores in November. The Calgary store will be located in an existing Lululemon location, and a new, larger Lululemon store will be opened in the Alberta city.

Lululemon's Oqoqo brand, which includes clothing made with organic and cotton material, will be sold in existing retail locations, the company said.

Lululemon said the new name came out of a brainstorm session and has no specific meaning.

The announcement of the new preteen line comes as Lululemon tries to expand in a recession-ravaged retail environment.

Earlier this year, the company pulled back its aggressive retail expansion plan and launched its online shopping website earlier than expected.

Lululemon reports its second-quarter earnings next week and analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are expecting revenues of US$88 million and earning per share of 10 cents.

That compares to revenues of US$85.5 million and earnings per share of 18 cents for the second quarter last year. The company reports in U.S. dollars.

Lululemon said in June it expects a same-store sales decline in the "middle-single digits" in the second quarter. That compares to a previous forecast of "low double-digit declines" it had for the first quarter.

Same-store sales fell eight per cent in the first quarter ended May 3.

Lululemon's overall first-quarter revenue rose to $81.7 million, up six per cent from $77 million a year earlier. However, its profit was down 24 per cent year-over-year to US$6.5 million or nine cents per share.

Lululemon has said it expects to open between five to seven stores in 2009, which is down significantly from the company's previous goal of opening 35 stores annually until it hits a total of 300 locations across North America.

Lululemon had a total of 114 stores at the end of the first quarter, including 43 in Canada, 65 in the U.S. and six in Australia.

That compared to 85 at the end of the first quarter last year, including 41 in Canada, 36 in the U.S., four in Australia and four in Japan. The company has since closed its Japanese locations.

Lululemon has said it plans open about 15 stores next year.

Lululemon was founded in 1998 by its current chairman Dennis "Chip" Wilson.

On Tuesday, Lululemon shares were trading up 22 cents or one per cent to C$22.17 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The shares have been climbing steadily since mid-July, as some analysts upgraded the stock.

The stock was trading at a 52-week low of $5.60 in March and high of $29.64 last September.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jtYelD3ZQDs96M0bW05VfVFwgNPw

[Smooth]

Anyways, this saw this at the surrey central food court today. Is there a city where they *haven't* expanded to this year yet? They're expanding like mad it seems...

I was at Park Royal on Sunday and noticed that they're opening a location in the market area of the south mall (west end that is close to the village).

[sacrifice333]

I was at Park Royal on Sunday and noticed that they're opening a location in the market area of the south mall (west end that is close to the village).

Never knew there was that much of a market for cream puffs! :shrug:

[nova9]

Never knew there was that much of a market for cream puffs! :shrug:

Then you must have not yet tried Beard Papas. Though I do think the attraction is because they are from Japan.

It might end up being like Krispy Kremes where their popularity drops once the novelty of having them here is gone.

[osirisboy]

oh apparently they are "natural" cream puffs, thats good i was looking for some natural cream puffs, what a bunch of BS. hard to see the stores lasting.

[officedweller]

Walked past the mall level of London Drugs at Vancouver Cnetre - there will be a large open entance like before (bigger, it seems) as well as another smaller sliding glass door on the Canada Line side of the mall doors.

I think that the sliding glass doors will allow access from the Canada Line / mall level outside of Vancouver Centre mall hours.

[metroXpress]

I am sure everyone knows about the new Save On Foods in UBC's Wesbrook Village.

[metroXpress]

a store for cream puffs??? :sly:

we have one at Aberdeen

[giallo]

It looks like Beard Papas is aggressively franchising in Vancouver. I think they'll do well. There are many BP stores in Shanghai and they're always busy. I like to put them in the freezer for a few hours when I get home and *voila*- an ice cream puff.

What are the prices for a single cream puff in Vancouver?

[nova9]

:previous: i believe a regular cream puff goes for $19.00 for a dozen and $21.00 for a dozen eclairs. I only ever get them in those quantities for meetings so I can't quote for a single puff.

But the magic number is only 270 calories each puff. Which I supposed to be a good thing.

[hrhsheba]

270 calories? I'm assuming that these cream puffs are the size of a traditional donut and not single-bite profriteroles. Nottes Bon Ton does awesome cream puffs, but they're about $3 each. On the upside, the weight you gain around your waist will be nicely offset by the loss of weight in your wallet :D

[usog]

You wouldn't believe the lineup when the aberdeen location first opened. I guess since it's from Japan a lot of the people want to try it =X And I think they have a few other new stores too, like one in crystal mall(the other Asian mall).

[nova9]

270 calories? I'm assuming that these cream puffs are the size of a traditional donut and not single-bite profriteroles. Nottes Bon Ton does awesome cream puffs, but they're about $3 each. On the upside, the weight you gain around your waist will be nicely offset by the loss of weight in your wallet :D

They're about the size of a fist with a LOT of cream so I guess for something that big, it's not a lot of calories.

[Built Form]

Yet another Megabite is opening at 1112 Davie where the old Obstructions clothing store was located.
Also the old Low Cost car rental at the south west corner of Granville and Helmcken has been gutted along with the building next door to house one BIG clothing store. Anyone know which large retailer is moving in?

[hollywoodnorth]

Yet another Megabite is opening at 1112 Davie where the old Obstructions clothing store was located.


wow great location for them. they have been on a tear as if late. a poco location opened up a while back (franchise owner swapped brands to megabite)...so they are starting the 'burbs march

[officedweller]

The old connection to Vancouver Centre in Pacific Centre is plastered with "Bench" opening November 2009 posters.

[giallo]

:previous: i believe a regular cream puff goes for $19.00 for a dozen and $21.00 for a dozen eclairs. I only ever get them in those quantities for meetings so I can't quote for a single puff.

But the magic number is only 270 calories each puff. Which I supposed to be a good thing.

Thanks.
The prices sound a little more expensive than here, but still reasonable.

[SpongeG]

hamburger marys is closed down for renos and the sushi place across the street is closed for renos too - davie is getting some upgrades these days

[officedweller]

McDonalds at Library Square is closed this week for renovations - piles of boxes outside the entrance. And they only redid that location one or two years ago.

[Yume-sama]

Ahh, but that's such a cool McDonalds. The garbage can talks and thanks you for using it.

[jlousa]

From this weeks issue of BIV, anyone know who leased out the space?

Cooking up leases

The café gracing 1 Kingsway, set to open by the end of the year, has been leased to a well-known local chef – but it’s not Rob Feenie.

“We’re not talking about Lumière or anything like that. It’s still an East Side market,” said city property negotiator Jeremy Waldman, referencing Feenie’s former restaurant in Kitsilano.

While the 912-square-foot space is set on a prominent corner in a rising neighbourhood with 50,000 cars a day passing by, Waldman indicated the Kingsway-Broadway hub isn’t yet in the same echelon as many trendier parts of the city.

“There’s definitely a lot of funky cafés around the neighbourhood, but we’re not talking about Yaletown or anything like that,” Waldman said.

The tenant – whose name he wouldn’t disclose – will be savvy to that fact, he added. The city-owned property will be home to the new Mount Pleasant Community Centre, set to open later this year, and the café aims to serve community centre patrons rather than the surrounding neighbourhood.

That being said, Waldman noted that the space leased for top dollar, which CB Richard Ellis figures show leases for upward of $45 a square foot.

[officedweller]

The Robson retail space at L'Hermitage next to Fido now has a leased sign on it.

[Yume-sama]

The Robson retail space at L'Hermitage next to Fido now has a leased sign on it.

:frog: I was quite surprised. But the one on the corner, a bit down Richards St., still is for lease.

I wonder who could be moving in there... Virgin Mobile? That's about the only one missing on the 2 blocks :haha:

Watch it be a Starbucks. Then we could have a triangle and not have to cross the street!

[johnjimbc]

That's good to hear about the L'Hermitage retail. I hope it's something that fits the space well. I was noticing last week that it's a nice retail space. There are even windows on two walls, a couple of them facing towards the Westin next door in addition to the main street-front windows.

There are actually 2 remaining spaces on the Richards street side . . . a small one just before the hotel entrance and a larger one on the other side. I know the hotel would like some type of restaurant in the larger one so they could contract with them for their hotel. That would certainly be nice, but it would have to be a smaller full-service restaurant . . . there's room but it's not big enough for a huge restaurant . . . need to fit a kitchen and dining area in the space.

The other space is cute but not big at all. Could fit a little store or little cafe.

It's going to take a while to fill in all the new retail for the new buildings on that end of Robson, but it will be nice as they do fill in over the next few years.

[SpongeG]

i wonder where the first five guys will go - they are suppossed to start opening here in Vancouver in their Canadian expansion...

the bread garden on davie seems to be taking forever - is it really going to open?

that space on granville next to lucky jeans still hae no signs for tenants but it looks ready to be moved into

Nood has opened in the old Liberty store space in Langley

[Built Form]

Also the old Low Cost car rental at the south west corner of Granville and Helmcken has been gutted along with the building next door to house one BIG clothing store. Anyone know which large retailer is moving in?

Found out today it will be a Le Chateau but will not include the smaller building next to it.

[vango]

Apple Store in Oakridge Centre opens Saturday 9:30am
http://www.apple.com/ca/retail/oakridgecentre/

[Smooth]

Apple Store in Oakridge Centre opens Saturday 9:30am
http://www.apple.com/ca/retail/oakridgecentre/

You just got that email too, eh?

[GeeCee]

Another Apple store already? NICE!

I hope the repair service at the Oakridge store is better than the Pacific Centre store..

[vango]

Hope the Oakridge store is larger than Pacific Centre, that one can get crowded! Too bad they couldn't have built it on two levels with an entrance on Granville like H&M.

[metroXpress]

You just got that email too, eh?

Same here! :haha:

[vanlaw]

From this weeks issue of BIV, anyone know who leased out the space?

Perhaps the owners of Aurora? It was a popular place across the street, but closed so suddenly. Given that, perhaps it isnt them.......:shrug:

[SpongeG]

the space in oakridge looks like it could be bigger :)

might have to go check it out via the canada line ;)

[officedweller]

The Megabit Pizza at Granville & Smithe only takes up part of the space - there's a new showe store there too - between Megabite and Camoflage. There was a line up theis morning to get in.

[LotusLand]

Anyone know what's going on at the corner of Nelson and Granville across the Blenz. I believe it used to be an outlet store of some sort. Can't quite remember.

[Shibuya]

Bearded Papa's is moving in to the Convention Centre to next year. They sure aren't wasting any time getting into Vancouver.

[officedweller]

Anyone know what's going on at the corner of Nelson and Granville across the Blenz. I believe it used to be an outlet store of some sort. Can't quite remember.

Rumoured a few years ago to be a new 3 storey Earls - but not sure - there's a redevelopment sign on the building and the Nelson cafe around the corner has also closed down - so I think some form of redevelopment is going to happen - rather than just a new tenant.

[LotusLand]

Thanks Office Dweller :) That is a prominent corner and new Club/lounge/restaurant with ample outdoor patio space would be ideal. Or a retailer that we don't already have in the city. :cheers:

[djh]

A massive Earls on that part of Granville could really change the fabric of that neighbourhood. The proliferation of "legit" or "respectable" businesses is pushing out the less respectable businesses - a good move in my opinion. BUT there is potential for the pendulum to swing too far the other way, and the street get cleared of any unique character when the chains take over. Le Chateau on Granville? Yikes!

The Earls could help make the city realise the value of street-level patios. If it's going to be as large as mentioned, it's very likely they will apply for substantial outdoor space, meaning they will have seats and service happening on the pavement. Much like the long-dreamed bistros that people have been talking of here. It could be a good test case to see if the city will condone it, and if a well-organised business can do it without having weekly run-ins with the city's inspectors

[SpongeG]

The Megabit Pizza at Granville & Smithe only takes up part of the space - there's a new showe store there too - between Megabite and Camoflage. There was a line up theis morning to get in.

the first 50 people were gonna get buy one get one free on converse and vans

they were handing out things last night

its owned by camoflauge - they have just basically opened their shoe dept in its own space...

nice use of the space though - looks good nice and bright

Forever 21 opens October 11th - metrotown should be chaos - i think its more popular than H&M was since so many more people here are familiar with the store

[nova9]

i would imagine, forever 21 is more popular because it is like 2 price points cheaper than H&M and its exclusively female attire. it's going to be a mad house.

[SpongeG]

well its also been in seattle for years so people know it

but they sell mens too - not just females anymore

the stores i have been too lately anyway have large mens areas - the store in san fran is 3 levels and 1 floor is all mens wear ;)

http://www.forever21.com/heritage1981/mens/default.asp

http://www.forever21.com/images/heritage1981/shopby/img_STlook.jpg

[jtwin]

Office Depot will be closing its Broadway store. Not sure about the timing. Anybody know?

[Yume-sama]

http://www.forever21.com/images/heritage1981/shopby/img_STlook.jpg

:sly: I'm sorry is that supposed to make people want to shop there? :haha:

I can see the Asian woman fashion trend of throwing on anything you can find in your closet, even if it resembles a potato sack, has come across the ocean.

And white girls don't pull it off that well :P

[NewfBC]

Office Depot will be closing its Broadway store. Not sure about the timing. Anybody know?


They were painting the exterior early morning a couple of days ago.

Ron.

[NewfBC]

:sly: I'm sorry is that supposed to make people want to shop there? :haha:

I can see the Asian woman fashion trend of throwing on anything you can find in your closet, even if it resembles a potato sack, has come across the ocean.

And white girls don't pull it off that well :P

I'm sure it's better in Japan. :)
http://www.forever21.co.jp/

Ron.

[Yume-sama]

I'm sure it's better in Japan. :)
http://www.forever21.co.jp/

Ron.

Japanese girls also qualify as Asian women, however. And that fashion trend extends pretty much throughout Asia.

And believe me, you can wear a lot more ridiculous things and still be seen as "normal" in Tokyo... :haha:

Mmm, yes, a Sunday in Yoyogi is most educational.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3934212497_1c6e8f9166.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveshiel/3934212497/

If someone wore that here, I think we'd all cross the street...

[GeeCee]

Office Depot will be closing its Broadway store. Not sure about the timing. Anybody know?

They closed their store in Coquitlam recently as well.

[SpongeG]

they closed a number of stores - Canada was suppossed to be more spared than the USA was

thats a pretty big space - I wonder what they can do with it

[Skook]

While walking by Woodward's on Hastings this morning, I noticed that (what I presume to be) the London Drugs looks surprisingly close to opening. I mean there is already stock on the shelves close to opening.

This is a bit weird because you can't even get to the entrance through the construction at the moment.

Anyone know if the LD at Woodward's is indeed going to open up soon? I would have thought it would have been 6-9 months off, at least. Though I did notice that they had a hiring fair notice up back at the end of August.

[vanlaw]

The Price Smart foods at King Edward Village opened today

[SFUVancouver]

Office Depot will be closing its Broadway store. Not sure about the timing. Anybody know?

Oh thank god. I loathe that building. I hope something good comes down the pipeline for that site. It is close to SkyTrain, the Broadway CBD, and the building already sits on a large assembled property.

I had been expecting either Office Depot or Staples, or something like them to sign on as the anchor tenant for the new office building across the street from Crossroads.

[deasine]

Apple @ Oakridge open now =)

[ryanmaccdn]

There is a note at the Apple store at Pac Center saying its closing for reno's for a week I think.

Says for people to goto Oakridge.

[phesto]

jtwin - where did you hear Office Depot on Broadway is closing?

I'm a bit surprised to hear that because when they announced they'd be closing several locations earlier in the year, this was not mentioned as one of them. Also, because they own the building, they'd probably want to sell it (ie. to a developer), rather than lease it out to another retailer.

[mr.x]

The Apple Store, right next to the Bay entrance, at Oakridge is pretty big...comparable to the Pacific Centre location:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs222.snc1/6925_140129553251_505498251_2420645_4503774_n.jpg



The downtown store really needs a larger location.

[SpongeG]

looks good

[berrypicker]

Haven't seen the one in downtown yet