[SpongeG]

yah apple and sephora have been advertising on craigslist for their new richmond stores

[SpongeG]

Efficient urban exercise

Bar Method combines yoga, Pilates and dance conditioning -- without the sweat

By Jenny Lee, Vancouver Sun June 21, 2010


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Efficient+urban+exercise/3180261/story.html#ixzz0rXocjkdp

Now living in Vancouver, Williams is set to open the first Canadian Bar Method franchise in a 2,900-square-foot Yaletown studio (837 Beatty St.) this fall. The franchise is creating a buzz in the United States with publicity as diverse as Kelly Osbourne rhapsodizing about it in Us magazine and a recent story in the Wall Street Journal. There are 35 franchised studios across the United States, with a concentration in California.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Efficient+urban+exercise/3180261/story.html#ixzz0rXonS3M6

[officedweller]

A&W is definitely going in in Atelier next to the alley. There's a big orange wrap in the retail unit.

[SpongeG]

do they think they are starbucks or something?

[officedweller]

There was an article in the Cadillac Fairview bulletin - they are opening a flagship restaurant (they call them QSRs - Quick Service Restaurants) at The Station (a CF property). It'll be at the west end of The Station and have a mezzanine for extra seating (holding 20) plus a patio (with non-plastic chairs).
The new restaurants (2 on Robson, one on Alberni and The Station) will have new self serve kiosks so you can place your order without going through a cashier and then just pick it up.
The article also went on about how A&W has been in BC since 1956.

[SpongeG]

sounds interesting, is the station in gas town?

[jlousa]

The station is waterfront station, it will be on the West side where the tourist souvenir store used to be.

[SpikePhanta]

holy cow, A&W major expansiooooonnnnnnnnnn, though I question why so many very close to eachother?

So there is the two on robson, one on alberni, one in the waterfront and one in pacific centre that means 5 so close to eachother, I'm thinking at lease one of them will fail

[Denscity]

^^^ and theres already one at Dunsmuir and Seymour, and i think one still inside the bentall underground somewhere.

[SpikePhanta]

^^^ and theres already one at Dunsmuir and Seymour, and i think one still inside the bentall underground somewhere.

You're right so thats 7, and I think there is one in sinclair centre?

so 8, wow.

[SpongeG]

whistler/blackcomb might be bought by a russian billionaire (http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1244096)!

[jozero]

The beautiful Waterfront Station building is getting an fricken A&W on one of its primary corners ?

Oh well you win some you lose some .... come on Vancouver street food carts !

Kind of neat every Apple store is along the Canada Line. 3 stores along one line.

[sacrifice333]

Looks like the Rolls dealership on 5th is almost open. Might be getting ready for an Opening tonight or tomorrow. Two or so cars inside.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/4728422156_1bf2426426_b.jpg

My Pic (http://www.flickr.com/photos/friesen/4728422156/sizes/l/).

[SpongeG]

oh yah they did a story on Global news last night about the store - i missed the part where they said it was though

[sacrifice333]

^5th Ave West on North side of the street, between Burrard & Pine. Basically the Easternmost building a part of the BMW complex there.

[officedweller]

A restaurant named Preston's has opened up in the Coast Hotel on West Pender.

[jlousa]

Prestons has been opened for months now, I ate there is Jan and was utterly disappointed. Come to think of it I've been disappointed a far bit lately.
The food wasn't bad but the service was mediocre and the prices inflated for the the product.

[wrenegade]

Hmm, I thought the Rolls dealer was going in the old Mini Downtown location. West 5th probably makes more sense, I'll definitely have to take a walk by. Can't wait for the Ferrari dealership to open on Burrard too.

[whatnext]

Figmint in the Plaza 500 looks to be closed. Not surprised - bad location for an expensive restaurant.

[SpongeG]

rumour of Crate & Barrel opening on granville at 16th - that medical building will be redone to accomodate the store...

and the planned west elm store isn't happening - williams-sonoma inc. cancelled the store due to the US economy - no date if they will revise the idea of a vancouver store - according to a friend

[mezzanine]

Re: prestons - big disappointment. I also ate there in january as they gave out these 2 for 1 coupons for their opening. service was :shrug: , but not the worst - they were just opened for 2-3 wks and some of their wait staff was still training. food was serviceable, but prices were high.

by comparison a block away at the Loden, their room was grander, the food heartier and prices were more matched to the offering.

[SpongeG]

bed bath and beyond in north van is coming along - looks like they are setting up stock now

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1465/dsc09885z.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5972/dsc09886m.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2900/dsc09887u.jpg

the existing part

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6861/dsc09888g.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7975/dsc09889ec.jpg

[wrenegade]

Technically they are not the same development, one was built by Pattison (PriceSmart etc) and Thriftys/BBB is being built by Vancouver Pacific Development Corp. Glad to see is almost finished though, Thriftys is great (and I'm moving into the area soon :))

[Smooth]

awvan is correct. In fact, Pattison doesn't want the sites to be joined and wants that chain link fence to stay there. Hopefully that doesn't happen. Maybe things have changed since I heard about that.

[SpongeG]

how on earth are thrifty foods and price smart going to be next to each other?

thrifty food is is even more expensive than safeway

[wrenegade]

I think you answered your own question. The stores are aimed at different consumers, I think they'll both do fine. And if Jimmy doesn't want their to be cross-access then there won't be. A bit of a shame since access in and out of the Thriftys/BBB site is pretty tricky.

[ozonemania]

It will be interesting to see how it pans out in this area. You have Walmart, Shoppers, Price Smart, and Thrifty's all doing food retail within one block, plus a Save On across the street.

[djh]

Looks like Wind Mobile is opening another outlet - at City Square (Cambie/12th) this weekend they are having a Grand Opening. Just saw the flyer they put through my door.

[teriyaki]

Looks like Wind Mobile is opening another outlet - at City Square (Cambie/12th) this weekend they are having a Grand Opening. Just saw the flyer they put through my door.

Saw a booth going up in Aberdeen Centre where Telus used to be as well. They're opening up left and right. I wish them the best of luck in becoming a gamechanger for the mobile industry in Canada.

[SpongeG]

there are setting up a WIND inside the Blockbuster store on Robson Street

[Blake]

I was out in Pitt Meadows over the weekend, and I swear I saw a Cold Stone Cremery logo attached to the Tim Horton's in Meadowtown Centre.

Anybody know anything about this?

[sacrifice333]

^Saw the same thing this AM at the Pt Grey Timmies.

Apparently this "co-branding" initiative started just over a year ago. Link (http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/about/2670.html).

[deasine]

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but Apple will have a location at Richmond Centre, after their renovations are completed.

[invisibleairwaves]

^Saw the same thing this AM at the Pt Grey Timmies.

Apparently this "co-branding" initiative started just over a year ago. Link (http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/about/2670.html).

The Clayton Heights Timmy's has one too...the ice cream's great, the product names are kinda corny but that's forgiveable. Hope they do well.

[officedweller]

Saw that the SEARS sign on the Georgia plaza was removed this morning - maybe they are repositioning it so that it's not blocked by the Canada Line Stationhouse.

[zahav]

that's exactly what they did, photo of the relocation here:

http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/30-004355L/1233/jpg/06/2010/img5/glowfoto

http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/30-024827L/2331/jpg/06/2010/img4/glowfoto

[officedweller]

Weird thing is that before, it used to be visible through the back glass wall of the station - I doubt you can see it now from within the stationhouse. Hopefully they'll put something in the void space of the "arch" - even just sale banners or something.

Now you can walk past the entrance and there's practically no signage within pedestrian sightlines indicating that it's Sears - just a sandwich board and the maybe on the door handles.

BTW - what's with those guys in the second shot? Looks like a depression-era work gang or something.

[duener]

^^ ha ha good point. They must have been reading these news articles comparing the current economy to 1930. At least they've dressed the part.

Rosenberg compares the decades
David Rosenberg, the oft-bearish chief economist of Gluskin Sheff + Associates, mused today on an eerie scenario in a research note titled "Daring to compare today to the 30s."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/an-economist-muses-on-the-creepy-comparisons-to-1930s/article1616598/

[Conrad]

that's exactly what they did, photo of the relocation here:

http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/30-004355L/1233/jpg/06/2010/img5/glowfoto

http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/30-024827L/2331/jpg/06/2010/img4/glowfoto

Will someone PUH-LEEEZE power wash that building! (or blow it up)

[Yume-sama]

Will someone PUH-LEEEZE power wash that building!

Sadly it's a lot cleaner than it was!

[SpongeG]

Billabong - Australia - has just bought West 49 - and i didn't know that west 49 owned off the wall...

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE65T0EB20100630

[GeeCee]

Will someone PUH-LEEEZE power wash that building! (or blow it up)

They just did a few days before the Olympics started.. :yuck:

[SpongeG]

they did it so they could project video things on it - didn't make much difference

[SpongeG]

Louis is boarded up... second story underway

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1961/dsc00154d.jpg

[officedweller]

The Black's at the William Farrell Building (Telus) on Robson @ Seymour is now open.

[Yume-sama]

Oh man, this is so cute. I was stopped by a tourist who spoke barely any English, she pointed to my Starbucks cup and asked me where I found one. IN VANCOUVER! I almost died, I thought... this has never happened to anyone before. Ever. So, I directed her to the three within eyesight, in order of when they close (the ones on Robson between Homer and Granville close in order at 8, 9, and 10).

[johnjimbc]

That is hilarious, Yume! Good Job ;)

[nova9]

Oh man, this is so cute. I was stopped by a tourist who spoke barely any English, she pointed to my Starbucks cup and asked me where I found one. IN VANCOUVER! I almost died, I thought... this has never happened to anyone before. Ever. So, I directed her to the three within eyesight, in order of when they close (the ones on Robson between Homer and Granville close in order at 8, 9, and 10).

I have relatives from other places who know about the 2 Starbucks corner (Robson and Thurlow) and want to see it.

just the other day, my friends and I were doing a tally of all the Starbucks in this city and we came to the conclusion that we've purchased drinks from every single starbucks in Vancouver and UBC. There's gotta be some kinda award for that.

[Yume-sama]

I have relatives from other places who know about the 2 Starbucks corner (Robson and Thurlow) and want to see it.

just the other day, my friends and I were doing a tally of all the Starbucks in this city and we came to the conclusion that we've purchased drinks from every single starbucks in Vancouver and UBC. There's gotta be some kinda award for that.

I'm skeptical that's even possible.

It could possibly be coincidence, but the Starbucks iPhone App crashed on me when I asked it to find a Starbucks near me, while in Downtown. :P

[Prometheus]

I won't be impressed until there are three Starbucks on that corner.

[GeeCee]

Call me when they have five at one intersection. Then I might be impressed... ;)

[SpongeG]

there was a rumour that pastels was going to become a starbucks at that thurlow/robson corner but it became guess instead

but they need one in the olympic village already - please anything retail down there

[Yume-sama]

Sadly, what we REALLY need is a 24 hour Starbucks. Tim Horton's at L'Hermitage is open 24h nowadays, but I don't like their employees. A bunch of slackers, ALL OF THEM! I wish I had picture proof of the Mocha Iced Capp difference between Kelowna and here. You'd never guess it was the same drink~ Sigh. So inconsistent. But, at times like now where I could really go for a Frappucino, I find myself freaking out that it's after 10. :(

[SpongeG]

we had one - the one on Davie & thurlow used to be 24 hours but its not anymore - i think its 24 hours during the weekends only now

even the starbucks inside the casino in Burnaby isn't 24 hours - I have never seen it open

[Waders]

There is no Starbucks that opens 24 hours? Strange.
Even Tim Horton at Waterfront Centre and across the Granville Skytrain station are opened 24 hours.
IMO, Starbucks has overpriced the drink. After the HST is in effect, it seems the long lineup I usually see in the morning at Metropolis disappeared.

[SpongeG]

its like a huge increase

my drink went from $4.67 to $4.95! thats too much - lol - seriously i am cutting back to twice a week instead of 3 times a week

[Waders]

I have cut my daily coffee consumption at Tim Horton from 2 cups to 1, that is an annual saving of $522!
I think Startbucks and Tim Horton will have to hold some sales promotion pretty soon to attract customer. :D

[Yume-sama]

Yeah, the HST kind of sucks. But I have a hard time believing people will stop buying something that is already grossly overpriced because it costs 28 cents more. On the other hand, I had dinner at Gotham tonight, it wasn't very busy at all... and I didn't order my bottle of red wine :P They must have made their food more expensive, too, from when I was there last, as along with HST the bill was over $300 for 4 people... and no alcohol!

[Waders]

I am hoping restaurant will reduce the price of meal as people eat out less often.

[SpongeG]

makes me not want to get it as often

anyway - has everyone seen the Zynga stuff at 7-11? like the sandwiches made in farmville? or the brownies made in yoville? and the mafia wars coffee? etc?

[Conrad]

A grande americano and one of those edible cardboard products they call pastry cost me nearly six bucks today. Nope. Sorry. Can't do it anymore. It was already overpriced before the HST, now it's just plain ridiculous. That extra 30/40 cents really does make a difference. Everyone has their limits and I've just reached mine. Suddenly the crappy free coffee at work doesn't seem so bad.

[whatnext]

Yeah, the HST kind of sucks. But I have a hard time believing people will stop buying something that is already grossly overpriced because it costs 28 cents more. On the other hand, I had dinner at Gotham tonight, it wasn't very busy at all... and I didn't order my bottle of red wine :P They must have made their food more expensive, too, from when I was there last, as along with HST the bill was over $300 for 4 people... and no alcohol!

I had sticker shock when I got a DQ Blizzard today! The pre and post tax price difference was unbelievable.

[SpongeG]

i know! i knew it was coming and i thought its a few cents but damn its a huge difference when you think of it too much

[ozonemania]

I have cut back as well on my consumption since the HST. Well, I havent' yet, but I will. What I did was estimate how much more I'll be paying out due to HST and cutting back the equivalent in meals that I dine out on per month. It turns out that means one less dinner or two less lunches out per month. I can handle that.

[wrenegade]

I already changed my caffeine-beverage of choice from a $4 something or other at starbucks (it originally cost $2.82 w/tax 3-4 years ago and they kept raising the price) to a basic tea, and I bring my own cup saving me another 10 cents. It doesn't seem like much but it really pays off in the long run. Cost is cut by more than half. It's nice not having to re-fill the card all the time. The restaurant thing is a pain too, but I don't notice it as much as the little things, still though I'll be cutting back there.

[jlousa]

The HST will impact "I shouldn't be buying this" purchases more then anything. Stuff like the daily donut, latte, supersized combo. It's stuff we feel bad at buying to begin with but we convince ourselves it's okay because it's only $3.86 and we do it everyday so $3.86 becomes acceptable, all of a sudden it's $4.10 and we're placed outside our comfort level. We already know we shouldn't be buying it to begin with so now there is a new motivation to stop. It's not that the 20cents really makes a difference it's all psychological. So we can expect to see these purchases drop for a couple of months before people revert back to their weaknesses and restart purchasing things they shouldn't be buying.

[SpikePhanta]

ughh, as a teenager I hate the HST since almost everyday I'm outside and I buy lunch somewhere 9don't worry I don't eat fast food :P ), I have to shell out a few more cents and in the long run it just piles up.


Also the JJBean at the corner of Alberni and bute is open.

[entheosfog]

Sadly, what we REALLY need is a 24 hour Starbucks. Tim Horton's at L'Hermitage is open 24h nowadays, but I don't like their employees. A bunch of slackers, ALL OF THEM! I wish I had picture proof of the Mocha Iced Capp difference between Kelowna and here. You'd never guess it was the same drink~ Sigh. So inconsistent. But, at times like now where I could really go for a Frappucino, I find myself freaking out that it's after 10. :(

well if I worked at a crappy job like that at that hour for what they're making, I probably wouldn't worry if I was slacking on the job :rolleyes:

[whatnext]

The HST will impact "I shouldn't be buying this" purchases more then anything. Stuff like the daily donut, latte, supersized combo. It's stuff we feel bad at buying to begin with but we convince ourselves it's okay because it's only $3.86 and we do it everyday so $3.86 becomes acceptable, all of a sudden it's $4.10 and we're placed outside our comfort level. We already know we shouldn't be buying it to begin with so now there is a new motivation to stop. It's not that the 20cents really makes a difference it's all psychological. So we can expect to see these purchases drop for a couple of months before people revert back to their weaknesses and restart purchasing things they shouldn't be buying.

There was a segment on the local news tonight filmed at Cobs. If you bought a regular croissant there was no HST - if you bought a chocolate croissant there was HST; if you bought one scone there was no HST - if you bought the slightly sweeter one there was. If you buy your single chocolate chip cookie at Starbucks there was HST - if you bought a pack of six of the same cookies at Safeway there was no HST.

Sheer madness. :koko:

[Yume-sama]

well if I worked at a crappy job like that at that hour for what they're making, I probably wouldn't worry if I was slacking on the job :rolleyes:

Whatever you do, do it well, or don't do it at all. :cool:

"Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better. "
- MLK Jr.

"Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it. "
- Gandhi

Yes I went there with Tim Hortons workers slacking :P

[Porfiry]

There was a segment on the local news tonight filmed at Cobs. If you bought a regular croissant there was no HST - if you bought a chocolate croissant there was HST; if you bought one scone there was no HST - if you bought the slightly sweeter one there was. If you buy your single chocolate chip cookie at Starbucks there was HST - if you bought a pack of six of the same cookies at Safeway there was no HST.

Sheer madness. :koko:

"Sheer madness"? Gimme a break.

The rules in place are carried over directly from the GST (with a few exceptions, none of which apply to retail). That goes without saying given the name "Harmonized". It's the feds who set the schedule of items, and these rules have long been in place with the GST. It is absurd to pretend that the situation is somehow new or incomprehensible.

The previous situation of having two taxes with two different sets of rules was actually more complex.

I'm not saying I'm in favour of the HST, but the argument that it's introducing complexity is simply wrong. If it's bad policy, it is bad policy for other reasons.

[hollywoodnorth]

"Sheer madness"? Gimme a break.

The rules in place are carried over directly from the GST (with a few exceptions, none of which apply to retail). That goes without saying given the name "Harmonized". It's the feds who set the schedule of items, and these rules have long been in place with the GST. It is absurd to pretend that the situation is somehow new or incomprehensible.

The previous situation of having two taxes with two different sets of rules was actually more complex.

I'm not saying I'm in favour of the HST, but the argument that it's introducing complexity is simply wrong. If it's bad policy, it is bad policy for other reasons.


HEAR HEAR:cheers: :tup:

[twoNeurons]

"Sheer madness"? Gimme a break.

The rules in place are carried over directly from the GST (with a few exceptions, none of which apply to retail). That goes without saying given the name "Harmonized". It's the feds who set the schedule of items, and these rules have long been in place with the GST. It is absurd to pretend that the situation is somehow new or incomprehensible.

The previous situation of having two taxes with two different sets of rules was actually more complex.

I'm not saying I'm in favour of the HST, but the argument that it's introducing complexity is simply wrong. If it's bad policy, it is bad policy for other reasons.

I laughed at that too...

I thought it was common knowledge that if you bought 6 items or more, it is considered a "food" item... whereas if you buy one, it's considered a "goods"

6 bagels, not toasted have no GST/HST.
1 bagel with cream cheese and toasted does.

[mooks28]

You have to remember that BC was pretty spoiled compared to most provinces on restaurant food -- Ontario has always had to pay PST on restaurant meals, and I don't notice a lack of places to eat out whenever I've been there. People will get used to the new prices.

What would be helpful is if the province brought in a truth in labelling law, where tax was included in the price. The Feds don't have authority to do this, but the province does.

[djh]

You have to remember that BC was pretty spoiled compared to most provinces on restaurant food -- Ontario has always had to pay PST on restaurant meals, and I don't notice a lack of places to eat out whenever I've been there. People will get used to the new prices.

What would be helpful is if the province brought in a truth in labelling law, where tax was included in the price. The Feds don't have authority to do this, but the province does.

Yes! This is one of my biggest bugbears here! Where does that nonsense come from? It took me literally a year to get used to the "Oh, it's $9.99, PLUS tax so you need to give me another 12 cents" nonsense. Why pretend the product is cheaper than it is - you still have to pay the difference? Who does that false labelling kid, total idiots?:shrug:

[officedweller]

That was the whole reason for GST - to make the tax visible (rather than the former Manufacturer's Tax, which was "hidden" in the price of the item.

[Yume-sama]

Perhaps the unintended consequence of this would be everything would be more expensive... again. If something is $10.11 after tax, chances are they will just round it up to 15, or 20.

Japan has this, the tax is always included in the price. And it's usually always coincidentally a nice round number :P No $2.98 or something.

[mooks28]

Every country in Europe has a VAT (HST, basically) that MUST be a minimum of 15% if they are an EU member. I can't think of a single country in Europe that doesn't require the VAT to be included in the price on the sticker. The US and Canada are the only places that seem to want to add it on after the fact.

Don't even get me started on airfare advertising...

[GeeCee]

Every country in Europe has a VAT (HST, basically) that MUST be a minimum of 15% if they are an EU member. I can't think of a single country in Europe that doesn't require the VAT to be included in the price on the sticker. The US and Canada are the only places that seem to want to add it on after the fact.

Don't even get me started on airfare advertising...

Well sure, but in North America businesses are more important than consumers.. thus businesses show the pre-tax prices.

:hell:

[djh]

Every country in Europe has a VAT (HST, basically) that MUST be a minimum of 15% if they are an EU member. I can't think of a single country in Europe that doesn't require the VAT to be included in the price on the sticker. The US and Canada are the only places that seem to want to add it on after the fact.

Don't even get me started on airfare advertising...

PRECISELY!

That was my exact experience. Coming from Europe, I had no clear explanation of why consumers felt they need to see how much tax is on their purchases BEFORE they buy it.
For businesses, you'll find out when you calculate your taxes, you don't need to know at the till, so why advertise the price falsely? You could easily show the full price on the tag (say, $10.11), and on the receipt just list 2 line items: Product: $9.99, then Tax: $0.12 on the next line.

It's just an overly-complicated, silly way of doing your pricing, for some anal "visibility". It fools nobody apart from tourists, who then feel bitter for a split second. But it doesn't make you stop buying the product because it appears cheaper - since the same cheat is applied to everything else on the shelves too!

[officedweller]

But then how could you (the general public) complain about taxes if you don't know how much it is?
(Damned if you do, damned if you don't)

[djh]

But then how could you (the general public) complain about taxes if you don't know how much it is?
(Damned if you do, damned if you don't)

Do just like all ~300m people in Europe do. There, one knows that VAT is 15% so if you really need to know how much of your burger or whatever was tax, you work out what 15% of your bill would be. Do the same here. If we know HST will be 12%, that's all we need to know. Gimme the bill, and I can guestimate how much of that is tax, based on knowing the tax rate. Or I can buy the product and the exact calculation will be on the bill. Why one needs to know the exact amount they are being taxed when one goes shopping, I can't fathom (but I accept there may be circumstances when it's very important).

When you get your paycheque, you don't need to know on the spot how much was taken-out as tax. But as long as you know the tax *rate*, you can work it out when you need to know it (e.g., when filing your income taxes)

[s211]

Do just like all ~300m people in Europe do. There, one knows that VAT is 15% so if you really need to know how much of your burger or whatever was tax, you work out what 15% of your bill would be.

Most Euro receipts I've received will show the indicated tax amounts on them. So you don't need to haul the calculator out...

[Spork]

I am sure that they will legilate truth in labelling in a couple of years. It would be a horrible PR decision if they did it right now, as all of the ignorant morons out there would assume that it was a tax increase. Not to mention Global likely spinning it that way, and our good friend Bill starting up a new petition for something to do.

[SpongeG]

i've been to some stores that show the price you pay - and it breaks it down to show you item cost and tax cost and the final price

I asked my friend if he has experienced the SSS at starbucks yet - he was in LA since July 1 so he wasn't here for a few days when teh tax kicked in (SSS = Starbucks Sticker Shock)

[SpongeG]

Yes! This is one of my biggest bugbears here! Where does that nonsense come from? It took me literally a year to get used to the "Oh, it's $9.99, PLUS tax so you need to give me another 12 cents" nonsense. Why pretend the product is cheaper than it is - you still have to pay the difference? Who does that false labelling kid, total idiots?:shrug:

that would be an Extra $1.20 on $9.99 item

[Yume-sama]

I've been enjoying my many variations of Starbucks the last few days. I order the same thing at every Starbucks, but, somehow, they all taste wildly different. What has this World come to when you can't just get a consistent mocha / caramel frappucino. Sigh. I find it most interesting they sell $20 re-usable plastic cups, now. I almost bought one, before the sane side of me said "WTF?".

That's almost as good as the $10 re-usable Holt Renfrew bags I saw today.

[vancityrox]

I know this is soooo offtopic but Sponge mentioned about LA. Im actually going down the end of July. Seeing its my first summer here in Vancouver, maybe you veterens can give me a tip on where I can get cheap flights out to LA? Its fine if its from Bellingham. Anyways I am having some trouble finding one. Well feel free to inbox msg me.

Back to topic.

I haven't really noticed the HST really. Only time I did was when I went for a World Cup game to Speakeasy on Granville and they charged me HST and a Liquor Tax. I caught the mistake but make sure when you guys go out for drinks to doule check your bills for that because I ain't the only one this happened to. I mean it could just be that the cash computer systems are new at inputting the new HST that they still have Liquor tax on default? Who knows....

[whatnext]

I know this is soooo offtopic but Sponge mentioned about LA. Im actually going down the end of July. Seeing its my first summer here in Vancouver, maybe you veterens can give me a tip on where I can get cheap flights out to LA? Its fine if its from Bellingham. Anyways I am having some trouble finding one. Well feel free to inbox msg me.....

Allegiant just started flying from Bellingham to Long Beach. A quick search gave a far of $200 USD return not sure of that includes taxes. God, their website is annoying as it tries to sell you every add-on under the sun.:hell:

[SpongeG]

if you can - fly into burbank airport aka bob hope airport - my friends used that one - they said its so much easier and better than LAX

they flew with Alaska Airlines (http://www.alaskaair.com/) - you might wanna check them - they fly out of Vancouver and Bellingham
allegiante airlines (http://www.alaskaair.com/) flies out of bellingham - they have flights for $89.99 + fees/taxes each way on certain days right now...

and when checking online - always clear your cookies - they will put prices higher for people who check back the next day - saw that on a consumer watch type thing...

I remember when I moved to Ontario (back in 1992) i was so surprised by all the tax on the food I ate when I first ate out there and was glad we didn't have to pay PST on eating out back in BC

[whatnext]

"Sheer madness"? Gimme a break.

The rules in place are carried over directly from the GST (with a few exceptions, none of which apply to retail). That goes without saying given the name "Harmonized". It's the feds who set the schedule of items, and these rules have long been in place with the GST. It is absurd to pretend that the situation is somehow new or incomprehensible.

The previous situation of having two taxes with two different sets of rules was actually more complex.

I'm not saying I'm in favour of the HST, but the argument that it's introducing complexity is simply wrong. If it's bad policy, it is bad policy for other reasons.

There's extensive list of items that will change from a 5% to 12% tax, some big chnages relating to food and some for retail . Here's a list:
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/What+taxable+under+what/3214792/story.html

[SpongeG]

there was that same confusion when the GST came out - i remember it well

[BCPhil]

Do just like all ~300m people in Europe do. There, one knows that VAT is 15% so if you really need to know how much of your burger or whatever was tax, you work out what 15% of your bill would be. Do the same here. If we know HST will be 12%, that's all we need to know. Gimme the bill, and I can guestimate how much of that is tax, based on knowing the tax rate. Or I can buy the product and the exact calculation will be on the bill. Why one needs to know the exact amount they are being taxed when one goes shopping, I can't fathom (but I accept there may be circumstances when it's very important).

When you get your paycheque, you don't need to know on the spot how much was taken-out as tax. But as long as you know the tax *rate*, you can work it out when you need to know it (e.g., when filing your income taxes)

Yeah, the tax should be included in the sticker price of all items, especially items under $100. When the tax is fairly consistent, but doesn't apply to everything, seeing the price you pay up on the board is a much better experience than having to dig around in your pocket for a few extra cents because you underestimated the taxes. The receipt you get will then have an item by item break down of the tax.

Businesses will be against it because they will have to lower the prices on some items to make them seem less expensive, thus more attractive to the consumer. But they should be doing that anyway because of the credits they get when they pay HST themselves. Everything should already be cheaper because of a reduced cost to the supplier, and forcing them to include taxes will help.

[Porfiry]

There's extensive list of items that will change from a 5% to 12% tax, some big chnages relating to food and some for retail . Here's a list:
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/What+taxable+under+what/3214792/story.html

Well exactly, thanks for proving my point that having two tax regimes is more complex than having one.

[Yume-sama]

A&W is breeding like rabbits. In addition to the two on Robson, one is now coming soon to Waterfront Station.

As for the A&W in Atelier, a Chopped Leaf (www.choppedleaf.ca) salad / wrap / healthy stuff restaurant is opening beside it, they put the signage up today.

It is only their second location in BC, with the other one in Kelowna.

Just recently all of the retail in my building, L'Hermitage now says leased. Whatever could it be! I don't know~ And the Timmy's is open 24h now.

And finally... can NOBODY IN VANCOUVER MAKE A GOOD BUBBLE TEA? Jesus. :P I just about lost it when they put powder instead of real fruit in.

[nova9]

And finally... can NOBODY IN VANCOUVER MAKE A GOOD BUBBLE TEA? Jesus. :P I just about lost it when they put powder instead of real fruit in.

then you're not going to the right place my friend - geographically, aside from kerrisdale and granville (post 60th ave), the west side and downtown, i concede, is lacking in good bubble tea.

i personally go to Teaworks (41st & victoria) for my (almost) daily fix. I also like T-team and pearl castle. For ease, just go to richmond, any place that is still busy after 9pm is a good bet.

you have to realize, bubbletea is old news now, it's like sushi in Vancouver, too many places opened by people that don't really care, they just want to cash in.

[SpikePhanta]

A&W is breeding like rabbits. In addition to the two on Robson, one is now coming soon to Waterfront Station.

As for the A&W in Atelier, a Chopped Leaf (www.choppedleaf.ca) salad / wrap / healthy stuff restaurant is opening beside it, they put the signage up today.

It is only their second location in BC, with the other one in Kelowna.

Just recently all of the retail in my building, L'Hermitage now says leased. Whatever could it be! I don't know~ And the Timmy's is open 24h now.

And finally... can NOBODY IN VANCOUVER MAKE A GOOD BUBBLE TEA? Jesus. :P I just about lost it when they put powder instead of real fruit in.

I mean I counted 8 A&Ws near each other, in the area of downtown..
Metrotown has a couple of good places, but i dont order any fruit types, i just order plain milk tea with pearls.
My favorite has to be Buble World...

But then again i havnt been to any others in richmond, south of broadway or east of new west...

But man when i was in deadmonton couple years ago i had some very good Buble tea... but in toronto I had probably the worse buble tea ever, they expected a tip thinking they made the best buble tea, until i told them im from vancouver :D

[deasine]

Go check the bubble tea thread Yume-Sama under Food forum, although that hasn't really been updated.

Pearl Drops in Burnaby was great, but isn't as nice now that it's owned by someone else. They did use only fresh fruit before, but I believe it's a mixture of fruit and syrup now. A bit pricey though.

Flo Tea House in Vancouver is pretty good and has a wide variety of food and drinks (and special signature drinks). Prices are reasonable.

Tri-ty Cafe in Richmond has great food and alright bubble tea, but they are also quite pricey.

Twinkle (Twinkle 2 and 1) in Richmond have a few cool drinks (like their signature ones that literally twinkle and glow, and special drinks like "whatever," "frog prince," "king kong," etc.) but is extremely pricey. I mean it's good to see what it's like, but I wouldn't go there regularly.

Pearl Castle is good in Richmond, and prices are reasonable, but is extremely busy during the night periods.

Tapioca Express in Richmond is pretty good with decent prices. Their signature "snow bubbles" are perfect for a hot summer's day.

I could go on...

[hollywoodnorth]

a Pet Habitat has opened in International Village mall.

[jlousa]

Hopefully the owners have a sense of humour and place cookbooks next to the animal cages.:)
I think it'll probably do well though as I'm having a hard time thinking of a pet store anywhere in the area that isn't a pet salon/boutique.