[ozonemania]

The christmas lighting they have hanging in the Village @ PR is really cool. I haven't seen animated LED lights like that before. I'm interested to see how this skating canal will look but I suspect it will look very festive.

[hrhsheba]

do you think these idiots will have a successful restaurant?

that place was shut down long ago last year how freaking long are they taking to open? :shrug:

its that place just off robson - up and across from triple o's i forget the street names i pass it every few days and i can't think of the streets :rolleyes:

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=4Ek_dV_6CqbSnV0EjpU667Fa8enaFxbm
It's the Corner Suite Bistro Deluxe at the corner of Thurlow and Haro. It used to be Piccolo Mondo and then Saveur. Anthony Sedlak and a couple of ex-Chambar(?) managers are behind it. Frankly, I think it's one of the worst examples of how to launch a business I've ever seen. They managed to generate a ton of hype in May and touted a June opening. Now, I know they couldn't possibly have foreseen that the City would nix the old venting system but this has been going on for moons. They even took reservations for the Christmas party season and then had to cancel them all :rolleyes: That space is not very big - I would say, seating for 50 at most (probably less given the size of the bar), they've gone OTT on fixturing (a friend of mine installed a $10,000 espresso machine (in August)) and they're way over budget. With only 50 seats, unless they get a clientele of hard-core drinkers, it will take them years to turn a profit! We'll see, but I'm not holding my breath that they'll be around in years to come.

[SpongeG]

The christmas lighting they have hanging in the Village @ PR is really cool. I haven't seen animated LED lights like that before. I'm interested to see how this skating canal will look but I suspect it will look very festive.

those lights are cool - they had them in the cambie street super liquor store

[David]

Nesters is now open at SFU UniverCity

[officedweller]

When did the Adidas store on Granville close down?

[vancityrox]

When did the Adidas store on Granville close down?

hmmm i think its just renovations.

[SpongeG]

hopefully - they closed their store in seattle earlier this year

awful close to the olympics to do renos

[officedweller]

The windows and doors were papered over - didn't see any signs - but I walked by quickly.

[David]

they are renovating. i actually tried going there as they shut down on their last day at 3:00 and there was a sign saying it was for renos

[SpongeG]

its still listed on their corporate site

[SpongeG]

I remember their locations on georgia/granville and robson - the few times i have been to the west 4th store it was always pretty empty of customers

Vancouver's Duthie Books to shut down after 52 years

By Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER -- Independent bookseller Duthie Books will shut its doors at the end of February after 52 years in business.

Facing pressure from online bookseller Amazon and multinational chains such as Chapters, owner Cathy Duthie Legate has decided to pack it in and close the last of eight locations on Fourth Avenue in Kitsilano.

The family-owned chain was founded in 1957 by her father Bill Duthie.

"I'm just not making it, so I'm going to close it down," said Duthie Legate. "We are going to start our regular sale Jan. 28, but it will be better, of course, with discounts of 40, 60 then 80 per cent and I hope to have all the books out of here by the end of February.

"Then I will tear down the store," she said. "I'm sorry that it will leave a void in the city."

Duthie Books has been hurt in recent years by encroachment on the traditional book market from every direction: big box stores, online sellers and most recently Kindle.

The store typically carries between $650,000 and $900,000 in paid inventory and pays $16,000 a month in rent for its Kits location since the lease expired last October. The recession has taken a toll.

"The last two years have been brutal," she said. "When the dollar went par that hurt and then last year hurt."

"Most of the year we run in the red and at Christmas we run in the black," she said. And this year my black wasn't as black as it should have been."

When the dust settles, everyone will be paid, said Duthie Legate who has run the family business for ten years.

"I'm in good shape and this is the one time that I can do this where I pay everybody off and pay severance and everything is good. It costs a lot of money to close down."

Duthie employs seven staff, widely regarded as the most knowledgeable in the city.

"I think this store is really important to the neighbourhood and to the city," said staffer Michael Varty, an employee at Duthie for 16 years. "It will leave a real hole in the heart of the city."

"It seems like family-run businesses are going the way of the do-do," he opined.

Duthie Legate is not a believer in debt, especially in a market that is being carved up by retailing giants. Price wars waged by the big box stores have devalued books, she said. "I just don't want to go down that road. It's going to be more common, not less and with Kindle coming it's just too hard."

Duthie Legate admits her only chance for survival would be to own her location. But she doesn't.

Bill Duthie built his business into a city-wide chain through the decades, but "he didn't have much business sense," she recalled.

Some of the locations he opened were financial disasters.

"But we don't do this because we love money," Duthie Legate said. "We do it because we love books."

The Duthies were stunned when Chapters sent agents into their stores to do marketing research, not at their audacity, but because they had never thought of doing research themselves.

...

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Vancouver+Duthie+Books+shut+down+after+years/2459603/story.html

[Yume-sama]

It'd be hard to run a bookstore nowadays. Frankly, I'm surprised Indigo and Chapters are still surviving at their retail outlets (or do people just go for the Starbucks :P?). I buy books online, albeit from Indigo, and of course e-readers could just make the concept of a bookstore as ancient as the iPod and iTunes has made the concept of a record store, especially as they continue to improve with color. Not really much you can do, I'm afraid!

[SpongeG]

chapters and indigo home gift section keeps growing

they have some nice frames candles and gifty things

[Yume-sama]

Hmm, I see. Well, that is kind of smart of them.

[SpongeG]

yah i guess they have to figure a way to survive

[mezzanine]

I remember their locations on georgia/granville and robson - the few times i have been to the west 4th store it was always pretty empty of customers

I remember their french-language branch at the manhattan on robson! (i think it was a duthies...) it was where blue-ruby now is - just image that multi-level pocket store just being for books - super-cool...

Now long gone... sophia books on hastings has some of that vibe, though...

[SpongeG]

yes i remember that store too - i have some pics from inside hehe

[SpongeG]

would Famima (http://www.famima-usa.com/) work in Vancouver?

[wrenegade]

Pandora Jewellery is going in on Alberni, next to Calvin Klein underwear. At least I think that was the name, can anyone confirm?

[Blake]

The leasing plan for Morgan Crossing has been released:

Impressive list of retailers for sure, and some places that my wife is certainly excited to see come out to the burbs:

http://www.theshopsatmorgancrossing.com/files/morgancrossingleaseplan.pdf

In addition to the main anchors of Steve Nash, Thrifty Foods, Best Buy and Winners:

Tommy Bahama, Blo, Bopomo Pictures, Puma, Banana Republic Factory Store, Dunn's Tailors and Caffe Artigiano etc.

Also if anyone knows through the grapevine which restaurants are a possibility for the area? White Spot has committed. Of all the major chains, the only ones really missing from South Surrey are Brown's and Red Robin (off the top of my head). Although I've always thought Earl's might be a candidate to move out of the Semiahmoo Mall towards the Morgan Heights area...

[SpongeG]

the Granville Street McDonalds is getting a renovation - for the olympics?
also the McDonalds near oak on SW Marine is closed for renos...

[officedweller]

Odd - maybe new benches to allow more of a holding area on the ground floor.

[GeeCee]

the Granville Street McDonalds is getting a renovation - for the olympics?
also the McDonalds near oak on SW Marine is closed for renos...

probably.. nearly all of them around Vancouver have been getting brief renos. haven't actually been inside one to see but I know off the top of my head that the two near lougheed mall have been renovated in the past few months as have the mcdonalds on either side of the pne grounds.

[hollywoodnorth]

would Famima (http://www.famima-usa.com/) work in Vancouver?

I think so. Especially with all the workers and students downtown. I'm a little surprised FamilyMart/Famima is not looking at Vancouver. seems a perfect fit....

but with 7-11 keeping up a good pace on expansion in Vancouver they should be able to freeze out a player like that I think.

[osirisboy]

wow i didnt realize how big morgan crossing would be. one thing is I find it kinda odd that best buy and future shop are so close to each other, I thought they wanted to have the two stores placed farther apart.

[Shibuya]

wow i didnt realize how big morgan crossing would be. one thing is I find it kinda odd that best buy and future shop are so close to each other, I thought they wanted to have the two stores placed farther apart.

That always confused me as well but if you look at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond or Pinetree Village / Coquitlam Centre, it's not the first time they have put both so close together. Not quite sure why they choose to especially in Lansdowne Centre's case where they are in the same mall.

[SpongeG]

so the public thinks they are separate companies and will check em both out

is the winners in the part of south surrey gonna move? shut down?

[vancityrox]

wow i didnt realize how big morgan crossing would be. one thing is I find it kinda odd that best buy and future shop are so close to each other, I thought they wanted to have the two stores placed farther apart.

Haha, thats nothing. Back home in Montreal's suburb of Laval. They have Best Buy and Future Shop next door to each other. Really strange.

[Blake]

That always confused me as well but if you look at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond or Pinetree Village / Coquitlam Centre, it's not the first time they have put both so close together. Not quite sure why they choose to especially in Lansdowne Centre's case where they are in the same mall.

I would guess that the company thinks the demographics in these areas could support it.

South Surrey has been underserviced for big box retail for a LONG time and residents have had to to shop in Guildford or Langley for such things.

This area is a sleeping shopping as far as retail spending goes as it's one of the most affluent areas in the country and now has over 100,000 residents in the immediate service.

I think there is no question the area can support both, but there are few areas in South Surrey that are zoned for big box so separating them within the community would not be easy.

All that said when finished, Morgan Crossing combined with Grandview Corners across the street now has over 130 shops and services making it as large as any of the suburban malls - albeit with a slightly better design than a typical shopping mall.

[Yume-sama]

Haha, thats nothing. Back home in Montreal's suburb of Laval. They have Best Buy and Future Shop next door to each other. Really strange.

There's a couple of those in Calgary, too. :koko: Newly built in new developments.

[Blake]

I recall when Best Buy first acquired Future Shop they pointed out that there stores would overlap in numerous locations as they felt both offered a considerably different shopping experience.

Future Shop - Commissioned salespeople that are generally more helpful, have greater product knowledge. Better if you don't know what you want and need your hand held.

Best Buy - More of a 'window shopping' experience, where you can try before you buy in peace. Better if you know what you want.

[Yume-sama]

That used to be true for Future Shop. You would see older people working there, who knew what they were talking about. My brother worked there 10 years ago or so. However, since then they have slashed commission rates by a substantial amount, and, they don't provide a good base pay like Best Buy, SO, at least in my experience, you very rarely see someone who is over their early 20's (most often younger), and not really that knowledgeable.

Frankly, I choose Best Buy where possible so I'm not pestered by some teenager who wants his $10 or whatever :P

[SpongeG]

there still people who think HomeSense and Winners are different companies - I've heard in the last few weeks people only knowing that - I was in winners and this woman had bought a lamp at homesense and she was talking about the price with a store employee at winners and he said oh winners owns that store we are the same and the woman was shocked how could you not know that? so many of them are combined into one store - and than before that at the one in burnaby - a guy goes to his girlfriend oh look honey theres homesense you might like that store and she goes yeah we'll go there after we check out winners - they have separate entrances and signs on the outside but inside is all one store...

[SpongeG]

That used to be true for Future Shop. You would see older people working there, who knew what they were talking about. My brother worked there 10 years ago or so. However, since then they have slashed commission rates by a substantial amount, and, they don't provide a good base pay like Best Buy, SO, at least in my experience, you very rarely see someone who is over their early 20's (most often younger), and not really that knowledgeable.

Frankly, I choose Best Buy where possible so I'm not pestered by some teenager who wants his $10 or whatever :P

they turn over staff fast - they have high quotas and if they don't meet em they get slashed

[officedweller]

Pacific Centre has odd looking red and white banners (horizontal) hanging from the ceiling. They look more "Muskoka" rather than West Coast.

[SpongeG]

i saw those they have em outside too

[osirisboy]

I recall when Best Buy first acquired Future Shop they pointed out that there stores would overlap in numerous locations as they felt both offered a considerably different shopping experience.

Future Shop - Commissioned salespeople that are generally more helpful, have greater product knowledge. Better if you don't know what you want and need your hand held.

Best Buy - More of a 'window shopping' experience, where you can try before you buy in peace. Better if you know what you want.

I was under the impression that they completely got rid of commissions. I really see or feel no difference between the two stores

[SpongeG]

i love how they price the exact same item differently and than "match and beat" the price

[SpongeG]

The Source on Davie (@Burrard) has shut down

it would be a great location for Five guys...

also Target annopunced it wants to expand into Canada within the next 5 years! they hope to have a store in 3 years or so...

[wrenegade]

Future Shop and Best Buy both have stores in South Edmonton Common (large big box development at Hwy 2 & Anthony Henday) and both are top 3 in sales for the chains country-wide.

[officedweller]

The "Watch It" store in R&R on Robson is now "Oakley".

[wrenegade]

^really? do they sell more than just sunglasses/goggles? They make some great streetwear/outerwear.

[SpongeG]

the oakley store in metrotown sells clothes and more

[GeeCee]

The McDonalds around town (at least the ones that have undergone the recent renovations) now seem to have a recording that greets you as you first drive up to the drive-thru.. it's kinda weird.

That half-empty retail building at Hastings & Sperling in Burnaby is finally being redeveloped. They've stripped the building bare down to the beams. I think TD may be the primary tenant if the picture on the redevelopment sign which has been up for a long time is any indication..

[LotusLand]

There is a Pandora (Jewelry store??) opening up on Alberni between CK underwear and Memphisto I think. Still wondering who will take up that space across from Burberry (the old Ritz Carlton Sales site)??? I'd like to see something high end to tie in that block.

[Locked In]

Yaletown Mini has almost finished moving out of the 1100 block of Hamilton, and is moving into the old EQ furniture space on the 1000 block.

And I don't recall this being mentioned on here, but I may have missed it - Hapa Izakaya opened their 3rd location a couple of weeks ago next to Cactus Club on Hamilton. My photo, taken today:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/S2YYo6dInlI/AAAAAAAACcM/BHE2PlwYJFc/s800/IMG_3320.jpg

[Yume-sama]

Nice, I'll have to check it out. Hopefully it has some good authentic Izakaya food.

[vansky]

check out the new mcdonald deco on marine drive close to oak street...it's pretty neat, but maybe too nice for the food...which is junk

[osirisboy]

ugh another asian restaurant although there aren't too many around there.

I was hoping a restuarant would go into the eq3 with a nice big patio, oh well.

[Locked In]

^ IMO, Yaletown desperately needs casual dining places like this - plus, like you said, there aren't a ton of asian places in Yaletown. I've been hoping for a while that an Izakaya place would move in, so I'm pleased.
I also noticed that there's a restaurant called Charlies (I think) next to Society - is that new?

[SpongeG]

they need a mcdonalds or cheap fast food place too

[hollywoodnorth]

Hapa Izakaya also is expending their Robson Location for the 2nd time.

[hollywoodnorth]

they need a mcdonalds or cheap fast food place too

subway and 7-11 not enough for you? ;)

[Yume-sama]

Hapa Izakaya also is expending their Robson Location for the 2nd time.

Oh? Is it pretty good?

[vancityrox]

The "Watch It" store in R&R on Robson is now "Oakley".

The store is only going to be open for 6 weeks. Not sure if anyone knew.

Its too bad. Its nice to see some brand name retail on that side of Robson.

[SpongeG]

subway and 7-11 not enough for you? ;)

nope not that i eat there but the area doesn't have that option there are some nerd geek companies down there they must like mickey d's

[Yume-sama]

I wonder why they don't think Oakley could survive here permanently.

[vancityrox]

I wonder why they don't think Oakley could survive here permanently.

Yeah, considering the fact that they sell amazing skiing gear and Vancouver is a hotbed for winter sports.

I know that in Montreal, the store does VERY well. You see too many people with the big Oakley shades. Its become somewhat of a French Canadian thing now haha.

[SpongeG]

its sort of off the main shopping though isn;t it? its near the library?

[wrenegade]

How have you people not been to Hapa Izakaya? I only knew of their Robson street location before (where is the 2nd?), but it is awesome. Not only great food, but easily one of the best value restaurants in the city.

[entheosfog]

Any idea what's going into the Flack Block (Cambie & Hastings) on the corner? I thought there was a money loaning place there but there's hoarding up now.

[SpongeG]

its a furniture place isn't it

[hollywoodnorth]

Oh? Is it pretty good?

I'm a Vegetarian so I'm gonna say no....it sucks majorly ;)

now NUBA, NAAM, BUDGIES or FOUNDATION on the other hand.......YUM YUM YUM :) :cheers:

[Yume-sama]

I'm a Vegetarian so I'm gonna say no....it sucks majorly ;)

now NUBA, NAAM, BUDGIES or FOUNDATION on the other hand.......YUM YUM YUM :) :cheers:

No veggie tempura :P?

Has JapaDog on Robson opened yet? They're only about 2.5 months behind schedule.

Good thing they're gonna sell A LOT of HotDogs, or this little venture could have sunk them.

[CPE]

No veggie tempura :P?

Has JapaDog on Robson opened yet? They're only about 2.5 months behind schedule.

Good thing they're gonna sell A LOT of HotDogs, or this little venture could have sunk them.

Where exactly on Robson is their store?

[Yume-sama]

Beside the Beard Papa's! :D

Between Richards and Seymour / Robson across from the Telus Store, or thereabouts, beside where the Sil Vous Plait cafe was.

[delboy]

Any idea what's going into the Flack Block (Cambie & Hastings) on the corner? I thought there was a money loaning place there but there's hoarding up now.

a coffee shop i think. the money mart moved across the street some time ago.

[jlousa]

In the Flack building there is a higher end home furnishing store, and a Bean Around the World is getting very close to opening up. Not sure what is going into the corner, but it will not be a money mart.:tup:

[SpongeG]

oh yes bean around the world - we saw some signage when my friend and I walked past a couple weeks ago - but there other spot is going to be a furniture or is it all one space?

[hollywoodnorth]

what happened with the FORMER STOREYUM site?

I thought a high end furniture store was gonna go in? and a fitness center?

[jlousa]

There is a furniture class on the water st side of the old Storyeum, on the Cordova side there isn't anything permenant, they had a x-mas fair there and now there is some kind of arts and craft fair again. Think the eco fitness thing fell thru and it was now supposed to be a family entertainment place, arcade/bowling lanes etc but I haven't heard anything in almost a year.

[SpongeG]

i thought the city turned down the proposal? i don't know which one though

[jlousa]

The city had chosen the fitness place over the entertainment place but the fitness place fell thru so they ended up choosing the entertainment place after all.

[entheosfog]

:previous: Thanks guys! Bean Around the World sounds like a great addition to the area. I can't wait to see those store fronts on the south side of the 100 Block of West Hastings across from Woodwards filled up. They've been vacant for a long long time.

[Skook]

There's a new restaurant opening up in the Paris Block as well, east of Woodwards, towards Save on Meats. Talk about gutsy, but the way things are turning around - I see progress in the short term all the way up to the Carall Street Greenway - it may not be such a crazy move after all.

It will be called the Acme Cafe and has some people involved from some name restaurants around town. Will supposedly specialize in comfort food. And pies.

On Hastings Street! Who'd-a-thunk-it?

[hollywoodnorth]

There's a new restaurant opening up in the Paris Block as well, east of Woodwards, towards Save on Meats. Talk about gutsy, but the way things are turning around - I see progress in the short term all the way up to the Carall Street Greenway - it may not be such a crazy move after all.

It will be called the Acme Cafe and has some people involved from some name restaurants around town. Will supposedly specialize in comfort food. And pies.

On Hastings Street! Who'd-a-thunk-it?

well no less gutsy then Campagnolo at 1020 Main Street. They have been doing very well since they opened a few years back.....

[SpongeG]

i was at duthis books tonight - that place is really cleared out considering the sale just started on the 28th - not much left but they had some cool skyscraper and city books if anyone is looking...

also Pulse has a store called "Greens" opening soon - looks like a capers style store

[officedweller]

Yeah, considering the fact that they sell amazing skiing gear and Vancouver is a hotbed for winter sports.

I know that in Montreal, the store does VERY well. You see too many people with the big Oakley shades. Its become somewhat of a French Canadian thing now haha.

Thaks for the info.

Maybe if it does well they'll upen up a downtown location permanently

[officedweller]

Info sent around to Pacific Centre tenants -
Mall open to 11:00 pm during the Games (except Sundays til 7:00pm)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6496/27719831.png (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/27719831.png/)

[phesto]

Looks like the retail space (former Crime Lab corner) in the Flatiron has been leased. The signage up on the windows is for Virani Real Estate, so it appears that it will be a residential real estate sales office.

I hope it's short term. Otherwise, it would be very disappointing. This is something you expect in a resort, not a "cosmopolitan" city like Vancouver. How about a service that area residents can use? Luxury real estate sales??? Really?..:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Yume-sama]

Maybe that's just the real estate responsible for leasing it out?

In groundbreaking hotdog news, JapaDog will begin selling Kobe Beef hotdogs soon. And yes it will be American imitation Kobe beef, as Japanese Kobe beef is *illegal* in Canada.

Maybe whenever their store opens?

[johnjimbc]

Unfortunately it's probably not short-term, but I don't think anyone should get worked up about the tenant. I suspect the situation is similar to a retail space in a very healthy neighborhood I worked near in DC.

There a heritage building was expanded, and the expansion created 5 or 6 cute little new retail spaces. The neighborhood residents and council were all delighted at the things they envisioned there to augment the already nice retail mix of the commercial strip. I remember thinking what great little spaces they would be for shops as well.

Unfortunately, the lease terms being asked for the spaces were exorbitant compared to the surrounding area, and after months and months every single one of the spaces sat empty. Finally, a long-time real estate brokerage who had occupied a small office on the opposite side of the street for several years offered to lease the entire space. The local neighborhood commission was quite irritated initially, and the broker of the office had to do quite a bit of hand-holding so they didn't come out against it, which could have gummed up the bureaucracy of the move even if it didn't halt it. Eventually the commission gave its blessing, and the brokerage office shifted to the much larger combined space across the street, where it remains to this day.

The point being is the broker was the only tenant willing to accept the spaces and pay even close to the lease terms the owner of the expanded building was asking. At some point the neighborhood had to weigh having vacant spaces with having a viable business occupying and maintaining and even improving the space (cleaning sidewalks, landscaping the tree beds along the street, etc).

Having a viable business of any type in the new building may even encourage other retailers in the area, even if they won't occupy those specific places. That's just how the market works sometimes. It's not necessarily the tenants one might want to see, but instead the tenants who find the terms of the lease acceptable.

That may not be the case in this specific instance, but I've seen it play out before so thought I'd offer that perspective.

P.S. Or it could be what Yume suggested, in which case never mind ;)

[SpongeG]

good to know Pacific Centre will be open late - do you think other stores malls in the city wil at least stay open till 9 6 days a week?

[phesto]

Unfortunately it's probably not short-term, but I don't think anyone should get worked up about the tenant. I suspect the situation is similar to a retail space in a very healthy neighborhood I worked near in DC.

There a heritage building was expanded, and the expansion created 5 or 6 cute little new retail spaces. The neighborhood residents and council were all delighted at the things they envisioned there to augment the already nice retail mix of the commercial strip. I remember thinking what great little spaces they would be for shops as well.

Unfortunately, the lease terms being asked for the spaces were exorbitant compared to the surrounding area, and after months and months every single one of the spaces sat empty. Finally, a long-time real estate brokerage who had occupied a small office on the opposite side of the street for several years offered to lease the entire space. The local neighborhood commission was quite irritated initially, and the broker of the office had to do quite a bit of hand-holding so they didn't come out against it, which could have gummed up the bureaucracy of the move even if it didn't halt it. Eventually the commission gave its blessing, and the brokerage office shifted to the much larger combined space across the street, where it remains to this day.

The point being is the broker was the only tenant willing to accept the spaces and pay even close to the lease terms the owner of the expanded building was asking. At some point the neighborhood had to weigh having vacant spaces with having a viable business occupying and maintaining and even improving the space (cleaning sidewalks, landscaping the tree beds along the street, etc).

Having a viable business of any type in the new building may even encourage other retailers in the area, even if they won't occupy those specific places. That's just how the market works sometimes. It's not necessarily the tenants one might want to see, but instead the tenants who find the terms of the lease acceptable.

That may not be the case in this specific instance, but I've seen it play out before so thought I'd offer that perspective.

P.S. Or it could be what Yume suggested, in which case never mind ;)

There was a Cushman sign that said "leased" and then the Virani signage/window dressing appeared saying "coming soon" - pretty sure this is a new downtown sales office for them. (they haven't done commercial leasing anyway).

johnjim - I think you've nailed it on the head as far as this real estate company being the only one willing to lease the space. This is the economic reality of retail leasing in the area, and I can understand the Landlord's reasoning (ie. they pretty much have to accept whatever tenant pays the most); and the market for retail in Coal Harbour is tough right now, particularly as you move West from Bute. The retail in the Ritz building along Bute still has yet to lease after almost a year; Citrus Cafe at Bute and Melville recently closed...

It is just a disappointment given the prominent corner location and cool nature of this space. When I think of other places where realtors are outbidding retailers for space I think Whistler, Kelowna, but not Downtown Vancouver - a tad concerning...:uhh:

Hopefully things will pick up in Coal Harbour for retail - my only concern is that the area is getting close to built-out, so I'm not sure where retailers view there to be growth in pedestrian traffic.

[duener]

I don't see what the problem is with having a realtor's office occupy retail space. You see that all over the UK/Europe. Pick any town, go for a walk down the high street there will always be cafe/shops/realtors offices.

In the windows, they usually have pictures of properties for sale/rent in the area; so at night people passing by stop and gaze. During the day the space is animated because it's an office, so you can see the realtors going about their business.

It's an interesting question though: how much street-side retail space can downtown absorb? I guess the market will decide and it's nice to have alternatives to the usual cafe/convenient shop/restaurant mix.

[SpongeG]

the 7-11 down that area is a good addition

[officedweller]

Bean Around the World was on the news tonight for handing out cards to regular customers because they were going to raise prices and gouge the tourists during the Olympics (that's what the saleclerks told customers) - the cards would identify "regulars" who would get a lower price.

When contacted by the news (CTV?) they denied that prices would be increased and said that the cards would allow regulars to get preferential treatment and bypass line-ups.

The story also said that Cactus Club would be increasing prices about 3% at the downtown locations to cover increased costs of operating during the Games (late night deliveries, etc.).

[jlousa]

I heard that Earls is going to be adding gratuity to it's bills during the games, apparently a few restarants will be adding upto 20% on their bills. They claim they are doing it as they need to bring in staff from other locations to deal with the increased traffic and need incentive for their staff. (I hate that pratice and refuse to go anywhere that does that, if they deserve a tip that's my desicion as is how much it should be)
The Joeys On Burrard by Robson will be rented out by Bosco Sports for 10 nights during the game, the one at Pender will have it's Patio converted to a Stella Artois beer garden.

[SpongeG]

they also claimed that europeans don't tip so this is to ensure they do basically

[phesto]

Apparently A&W has leased one of the spaces next to the new (upcoming) liquor store on Alberni & Bute.

[officedweller]

The Gyudonya restaurant (former S'il Vous Plait) has a big bright orange awning up and the fluorescent lighting behind the glass block was lit up this mornig. Looks good. (Note that the signs previously said the name was "Gyu Don Gyu")

Still no visible progress on Japadog (plywood hoardings and old awnings still up).

[dreambrother808]

A few months ago, Starbucks raised their prices in BC only, obviously in preparation for the games.

[Yume-sama]

The Gyudonya restaurant (former S'il Vous Plait) has a big bright orange awning up and the fluorescent lighting behind the glass block was lit up this mornig. Looks good. (Note that the signs previously said the name was "Gyu Don Gyu")

Still no visible progress on Japadog (plywood hoardings and old awnings still up).

Gyudonya definitely makes more sense grammatically than Gyu Don Gyu :jester:

[GeeCee]

Important Japadog on Robson update for Yume..

As of yesterday, it's not open yet.

:jester:

[officedweller]

So what does it mean?
Beef noodle or something?

[Yume-sama]

Important Japadog on Robson update for Yume..

As of yesterday, it's not open yet.

:jester:

:hell: This is ridiculous. I have so many questions about this restaurant.

Like, how will they preserve the JapaDog taste? Will they be barbecuing... inside?! I just don't know. :frog:

They've also been teasing us with new kinds of JapaDog, like a Tempura dog. Will this be a Japanese corndog, or will they just put tempura flakes on top?!?

THE WORLD MUST KNOW.

So what does it mean?
Beef noodle or something?

Gyudon can be translated as Beef Bowl. Gyu Don Gyu would have been Beef Bowl Beef.

What a beef bowl might look like :P But unlikely to be what you'll see in Canada. I think most would freak out about the raw egg?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Gyudon_by_jetalone_in_Higashi-Ginza%2C_Tokyo.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gyudon_by_jetalone_in_Higashi-Ginza,_Tokyo.jpg

There are several BIG chains of Gyudon restaurants in Japan, like Yoshinoya, and Sukiya.

[officedweller]

What does the "ya" mean?
- oh, so it's not soup?

In groundbreaking hotdog news, JapaDog will begin selling Kobe Beef hotdogs soon. And yes it will be American imitation Kobe beef, as Japanese Kobe beef is *illegal* in Canada.

One friend, whenever she goes to Glowbal etc. always presses them to admit it's not Kobe beef (meatballs), but Wagyu beef. But they never do.

[GeeCee]

:hell: This is ridiculous. I have so many questions about this restaurant.

Like, how will they preserve the JapaDog taste? Will they be barbecuing... inside?! I just don't know. :frog:

They've also been teasing us with new kinds of JapaDog, like a Tempura dog. Will this be a Japanese corndog, or will they just put tempura flakes on top?!?

THE WORLD MUST KNOW.

Hahaha.. I think you might have a problem. :tup:

FWIW their website now says Mid-Feb 2010 where it said end of Jan 2010 a few days ago. We can only hope that it'll be open in time for the Olympics..

[Yume-sama]

What does the "ya" mean?
- oh, so it's not soup?

"ya" is one of the many things in Japanese where there is no real meaning, and you don't really know how it came to exist.

In this form, it just means the place is a shop.

Sukiya, Yoshinoya, Konbiniya... :P So, I guess, literally Gyudonya, would be a beef bowl shop. Very to the point lol

[officedweller]

Cool. Thanks.