[SpongeG]

H&M opens in Lougheed Town Centre In April

signs are up and its on the web site

[dreambrother808]

I've always found it strange that Pacific Centre is that large. It doesn't "seem" that big. They must include Sears in the square footage.

yeah pc seems tiny. it feels like a small city mall really, other than the design aspects.

[officedweller]

The McDonalds on Granville @ Smithe has a sign that says "Open 24 hours"!.

[hollywoodnorth]

Burger King on Granville is closed they are moving to the space beside Charlies Music that was once LOVE AT FIRST BITE PIZZA.

[mr.x]

Burger King on Granville is closed they are moving to the space beside Charlies Music that was once LOVE AT FIRST BITE PIZZA.

where is that?

[officedweller]

WOW - Burger King moving?
The Love at First Bite place is pretty small unless there's space above or below the streetfront space. (The space is one of the retail spaces that flanks the entrance to the 5-6 storey block I think called the Medical Arts Building (?) (which I hear has an elevator with a metal gate?) - directly across from Urban Outfitters)

*********

The current Cadillac Fairview Bulletin announces that the Pacific Centre H&M will open May 22nd.

[dreambrother808]

Burger King on Granville is closed they are moving to the space beside Charlies Music that was once LOVE AT FIRST BITE PIZZA.

shocking... lol. good new though. has anyone ever used the bathroom upstairs in that BK? now that is/was a horror to behold, not quite on par with the Cambie's mind you, but scary nonetheless.

[hollywoodnorth]

WOW - Burger King moving?
The Love at First Bite place is pretty small unless there's space above or below the streetfront space. (The space is one of the retail spaces that flanks the entrance to the 5-6 storey block I think called the Medical Arts Building (?) (which I hear has an elevator with a metal gate?) - directly across from Urban Outfitters)

*********

The current Cadillac Fairview Bulletin announces that the Pacific Centre H&M will open May 22nd.


yes the The Love at First Bite space has access to an upstairs area both for Restrooms, additional storge and potential seating. Pretty large space.

[SpongeG]

i walked down granville yesterday and didn't even notice - lol

i wonder what they will do with the old BK? a more upscale restaurant?

[officedweller]

i wonder what they will do with the old BK? a more upscale restaurant?

Probably. I think the building is also owned by the Bonnis family. I can't see an expansion of the Lennox since the upstairs is so big (and I doubt they could get the additional liquor seats).

**********

Seen billboards around downtown - Homesense on Robson opens up March 18th.

[hollywoodnorth]

^ Rexall should be opening within the next week or so at International Village also!

and this Dollar store type thing opened at IV also.....its sort of like Daiso in Richmond....only 1 floor...but same sort of feel and it was very full of people for a Sunday when I scoped it out.....the mall seems to be ABOUT there in turning the corner. I know I will actually be going there once a week or so once the Rexall is open....and will also now make the asian dollar store thing my new dollar store of choice ;)

[dreambrother808]

^ Rexall should be opening within the next week or so at International Village also!

and this Dollar store type thing opened at IV also.....its sort of like Daiso in Richmond....only 1 floor...but same sort of feel and it was very full of people for a Sunday when I scoped it out.....the mall seems to be ABOUT there in turning the corner. I know I will actually be going there once a week or so once the Rexall is open....and will also now make the asian dollar store thing my new dollar store of choice ;)

the yoko yaya 1-2-3 dollar store there is great fun :) lots of quirky japanese items.

[deasine]

^^^

Almost all the items there (except for three dollar and one dollar items) are from Diaso. They even have the label on it.

[SpongeG]

yah they are not daiso though - the girl who works there told us when we visited

other than having an old security guard follow you around the whole time its a great shopping experience - not

kinda annoying to have the guard follow you around

[officedweller]

Got a flyer in the mail that says the new Shoppers Drug Mart at Elan (in the old Liberty building on the corner) opens this Saturday, March 22nd.

*********

IGA at L'Hermitage put up two new backlit signs (maybe to compete with the Homesense signs?)

[osirisboy]

i was in the new homesense store yesterday. i really liked it although it seems smaller than a normal homesense store it did however have more of a selection of certain things like lamps/pillows and less of that stuff they usually have in the centre of their stores.

its really nice to see this end of robson street filling in. does anyone know whats going in raffles and tv towers. it would be good spots for large format stores but I'm assuming its going to be more little useless sushi places etc.

[officedweller]

I don't think the retail at TV Towers is very big.
Raffles is a reasonable size, but it's on a hill, so there are elevational drop between sections which doesn't work well for large format (like that SportChek on Broadway).
Atelier has spaces for retail at grade (probably similar to Raffles, partitioned for small scale), with offices on levels 2 and 3 of the podium.

I could see the Telus parkade site having big retail, and also the corner kitty-corner to Homesense.

[SpongeG]

Got a flyer in the mail that says the new Shoppers Drug Mart at Elan (in the old Liberty building on the corner) opens this Saturday, March 22nd.

*********

IGA at L'Hermitage put up two new backlit signs (maybe to compete with the Homesense signs?)

opening behind

on saturday their banner on the building decalred they were opening on march 20, 2008

2 day delay

[Built Form]

opening behind

on saturday their banner on the building decalred they were opening on march 20, 2008

2 day delay

Most stores have a 'soft' opening to shake out staff and other bugs. The
22nd will be the 'official' opening.

[hollywoodnorth]

looks like a Tim Hortons will be opening in the new underground Granville Station Entrance Area off Dunsmuir.

[deasine]

looks like a Tim Hortons will be opening in the new underground Granville Station Entrance Area off Dunsmuir.

Oh really? Haha maybe to kill Starbucks. Eww that starbucks location has like the worst staff ever - so freaking slow!

The Dunsmir SkyTrain Entrance is very quiet still... you would think there would be a lot of people using it but that's not the case. Oh well... keep it that way, more room for me =D

[mr.x]

Oh really? Haha maybe to kill Starbucks. Eww that starbucks location has like the worst staff ever - so freaking slow!

The Dunsmir SkyTrain Entrance is very quiet still... you would think there would be a lot of people using it but that's not the case. Oh well... keep it that way, more room for me =D

The new entrance is aging poorly, not to mention that vandals have gotten their way with it. The white paint was really a poor choice, you can now see streaks of water that people threw onto it as well as dust. There's also poor lighting down the escalators.

[hollywoodnorth]

yup that new Tim Hortons is set to open on the 31st.

and more exciting for me ;) REXALL has their soft opening at International Village on the 28th!! with the grand opening next month.

Also apparently the 1-2-3 dollar store thing who's name escapes me right now that is at IV..........IS IN FACT owned by Diaso......so thats why they stock so much Diaso stuff.......

[dreambrother808]

Oh really? Haha maybe to kill Starbucks. Eww that starbucks location has like the worst staff ever - so freaking slow!


for a period of time when i was working downtown that Starbucks was my morning coffee. i would get there around opening time and they were never ready, never open when they were supposed to be.

[Rusty Gull]

^Wow. That store is owned by Daiso? Really?
Why wouldn't they just put in a "Daiso" store, then. The brand would resonate much better with locals.

Richmond has a Daiso. Westlake Center in Seattle has one. So does Bellis Fair in Bellingham. Vancouver is overdue for a true Daiso.

[officedweller]

The Dunsmir SkyTrain Entrance is very quiet still...

Probably because it all the way at the end of the inbound platform.

*********

From the Pacific Centre website - makes sense as it eliminates the unfinished looking mall portion north of the lower level Holt Renfrew entrance:

Sport Chek Expansion Project

Sport Chek and Coast Mountain Sports have planned an expansion and renovation project to take place over the coming months.

The store will be renovated on both levels and an 8,000 sq. ft. expansion will happen on the lower level bringing their storefront and entrance closer to the menswear entrance of Holt Renfrew.

The first phase of the project involves the relocation of Hicks Insurance to a new location near the food court. Vision Works has closed and will re-open as Eyes Inspire in a brand new store beside Black’s Cameras in March 2008. Cinnzeo has left the Centre.

Starting on the evening of January 21, 2008 hoarding will be placed in front of the vacant stores so that demolition and landlord’s work can take place.

And for the Canada Line:

Canada Line Link

Pacific Centre is excited to announce the construction of a link connecting the shopping centre to the new Vancouver City Centre Station currently being constructed on Granville Street. The Vancouver City Centre Station is one of three Canada Line Stations in the downtown area. The link will be located at the south end of the Centre between Sears and the escalator leading to the TD Tower.

To accommodate this new link a few of the retail spaces in this area will be reconfigured. Here is what is planned from now until later this fall; RW&Co. has closed for renovations and will reopen in May 2008, the current location of Jacob has closed and is now open in a new location across from Blue Ruby and the Sony store will be moving slightly south of their current location into a new store later this summer.

During the same time frame work on the Canada Line link will commence and is expected to open in the summer of 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the Canada Line transit system.

[deasine]

The new entrance is aging poorly, not to mention that vandals have gotten their way with it. The white paint was really a poor choice, you can now see streaks of water that people threw onto it as well as dust. There's also poor lighting down the escalators.

It's very dark and depressing... even the old entrance looks newer than the new one (especially around the escalators). You would think TransLink would learn from the past; evidently they didn't. Or was it the developers (who built the building on top) that designed it [cheaping out]. Hmm...

^Wow. That store is owned by Daiso? Really?
Why wouldn't they just put in a "Daiso" store, then. The brand would resonate much better with locals.

Richmond has a Daiso. Westlake Center in Seattle has one. So does Bellis Fair in Bellingham. Vancouver is overdue for a true Daiso.

All the Diasos I have been in Seattle are really dark and depressing, other than the one at Alderwood Mall (Lynwood, where I-5 and I-405 meet). But that store is pretty small, like Yoko Yaya. I still think Diaso - Vancouver is the best in North America.

I wonder why Yoko yaya (the international village store) wasn't branded as Diaso too... Maybe perhaps Diaso Japan didn't really want a store there [not enough demand?] but then Diaso Canada (yes they are two different divisions, Diaso Canada has a lot of Fairchild owners [Aberdeen Centre]) wanted another store so they opened Yoko Yaya.

~~~~~~

Sony's store in downtown is really bad... they need to improve their store (making it more like their flagship store for the Lower Mainland), especially if they want to keep up with other stores [Apple is on the horizon].

[SFUVancouver]

^ I think the developer got to call the shots on finishings, lighting, etc. I agree the new entrance is a let down. The layout is fine but it is dim and none of the finishings say quality, let alone longevity.

[mr.x]

As well, this flower shop at the old Granville Station entrance concourse is bound to have a short life if there are going to be fare gates and station renovations....there's simply not enough space, and it really obstructs the Seymour entrance into a very narrow pathway:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mussels/11413990/

I do love the new exterior entrance however.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/291033134_2a2a29eb29.jpg?v=0


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2200244374_780ab5d805.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/253070580_d549dea703.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/253070862_66c65d7394.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/253070981_a56ab34ea8.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/79/253071081_78012c227d.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/253071203_c2b9f88031.jpg?v=0



I have to really wonder if InTransitBC is cheaping out like this for the Canada Line.

[officedweller]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/253070862_66c65d7394.jpg?v=0

The indirect uplighting would make it appear darker - I'd rather see general lighting instead - even Costco style metal halide lamps.

[deasine]

The indirect uplighting would make it appear darker - I'd rather see general lighting instead - even Costco style metal halide lamps.

At least coscto makes their stores look really bright!

As well, this flower shop at the old Granville Station entrance concourse is bound to have a short life if there are going to be fare gates and station renovations....there's simply not enough space, and it really obstructs the Seymour entrance into a very narrow pathway

Haha imagine they keep the International News (soon-to-be/the old shop) at Granville Station. They could probably fit only four turnstiles max on each side?! Reminds me of Vancouver City Centre station? =P


I have to really wonder if InTransitBC is cheaping out like this for the Canada Line.

Oh I hope not. Let's cross our fingers on that one!

[SpongeG]

i really don't see a huge amount of turnstyles happenning

[hollywoodnorth]

All the Diasos I have been in Seattle are really dark and depressing, other than the one at Alderwood Mall (Lynwood, where I-5 and I-405 meet). But that store is pretty small, like Yoko Yaya. I still think Diaso - Vancouver is the best in North America.

I wonder why Yoko yaya (the international village store) wasn't branded as Diaso too... Maybe perhaps Diaso Japan didn't really want a store there [not enough demand?] but then Diaso Canada (yes they are two different divisions, Diaso Canada has a lot of Fairchild owners [Aberdeen Centre]) wanted another store so they opened Yoko Yaya.

I think they are going to try to develop 2 brands in Canada. Diaso in richmond is 2 floors and I would think 2.5-3 times the size of Yoko Yaya.

So Yoko Yaya seems to be the 1st store of a smaller footprint model. I mean if Diaso in Richmond was doing THAT well you would think Diaso Canada would have added more stores now in places like Missasagua, Calgary, Coquitlam, etc....

apparently not ;)

[deasine]

^I like your theory more =P It makes sense too.

[SpongeG]

when Daiso first opened they had plans for 5-7 Lower mainland stores

they were trying hard to find a downtown location

as far as i can tell the Daiso's in the USA are not related to the Daiso's in Canada - the USA ones are Japanese company stores

Daiso in Canada is a franchise operation owned by one person or company that doesn't seem to want to share the franchise rights

[officedweller]

Daiso in Canada is a franchise operation owned by one person or company that doesn't seem to want to share the franchise rights

The Canadian franchisee (Fairchild) would probably have exclusive rights to use the "Daiso" name - The Yoko Yaya name is probably a means of getting around that restriction if the Daiso's parent allowed someone else to enter the Canadian market.

That could be considered a breach by the parent if the Yoko Yaya store is selling Daiso-branded merchandise (if Fairchild has exclusive rights to do so). Or, it could be a remedy under the franchise contract which allows the parent to open up alternate stores if the franchisee (Fairchild) fails to expand the Daiso business.

Hmmmm...

[Rusty Gull]

^Interesting indeed. Has there been a falling out between Daiso and Fairchild, me wonders??

[hollywoodnorth]

The Canadian franchisee (Fairchild) would probably have exclusive rights to use the "Daiso" name - The Yoko Yaya name is probably a means of getting around that restriction if the Daiso's parent allowed someone else to enter the Canadian market.

That could be considered a breach by the parent if the Yoko Yaya store is selling Daiso-branded merchandise (if Fairchild has exclusive rights to do so). Or, it could be a remedy under the franchise contract which allows the parent to open up alternate stores if the franchisee (Fairchild) fails to expand the Daiso business.

Hmmmm...

I was told by someone who is usually spot on for these sorts of things that it is the same company (fairchild) doing both the stores.

[SpongeG]

yoka yaya sells some stuff that daiso doesn't

like they sell this mexican clean stuff - fabuloso - you can get it in most major stores in the states and some stuff found at regular dollar stores

[deasine]

yoka yaya sells some stuff that daiso doesn't

Yup. Specifically the $1 and $3 items: I bought a few candle glass plates that were a dollar each.

All I know is that Fairchild is very very stupid. Their previous Fairchild plaza (what is know the construction site of The Crossroads down at Cambie and Broadway) was bought by another company, then sold to the developer of Crossroads for much more. Whew... money gone there. Then the Aberdeen Centre failure. I think almost half the stores at Aberdeen Centre are owned by Fairchild. Funny how they didn't expand their newsroom more so that they can take up more empty retail spaces on the third floor. I wonder how they'll fill spaces in their new expansion (by the Aberdeen Station).

Their canto news is crappy too. Channel M has far better news... if only Channel M's news was at 7 o'clock, same time as Fairchild, it would be a much bigger success.

[mr.x]

The problem with Aberdeen is that they closed down the entire mall to build a completely new building. The old mall was a HUGE success...I remember it as being extremely crowded for nearly the entire day. It was by far the most successful Asian mall in Richmond.

But once the old mall closed, customers went elsewhere (nearby Yaohan, Paker Place, strip malls, etc.) to fullfill their needs and desires. Once you lose your customers, it's hard to get them back. Most malls, when they expand, don't close down entirely and especially not for years. They close down sections, and either renovate or expand. We saw that with Metrotown a few years ago....they closed down much of the mall, the Bay area went really quiet for awhile but when they re-opened business was better than ever - because only part of the mall was closed. Same goes with the Oakridge expansion next year, they will be closing down only sections of the mall.

Back to Aberdeen....the high rents didn't help, and when the mall opened to crowds of people who were expecting to actually shop there they were disappointed, so they never came back. I remember opening day, despite only having about a dozen stores open, the mall was really really packed....the lineup into Daiso was 200-metres long. The only "stores" that were there as I recall were Daiso, a BMW store, two jewellery stores, an HSBC bank branch, two food court stalls, and I believe a few clothing stores. Every other store was boarded up with "coming soon". Besides going to Daiso and watching the fountain shows, the crowd (thousands) didn't have much to do.

In other words, it was a very poor business plan.

With the Canada Line station and the mall expansion, I have no doubt that business will pick up...probably a bit. Merchants will want to set up at Aberdeen, especially at the new expansion given its proximity to the station.

[officedweller]

I was told by someone who is usually spot on for these sorts of things that it is the same company (fairchild) doing both the stores.

Interesting - could be a restriction in the franchise agreement that Daiso only carries Daiso branded merchandise - and not the other stuff, so they had to anme the new store something else. But the branding of Daiso has much more cache than the other...

[Rusty Gull]

I was actually at Aberdeen Centre yesterday, and it was quite full. If anything, it was too full. The food court was a gong show... with line-ups for virtually anything, including a mediocre glass of juice. Parking was mayhem.

Looks like many new stores in the mall since the opening - notably the Giardano store, which like Daiso is a welcome (and legitimate) retail addition from Asia.

[deasine]

I was actually at Aberdeen Centre yesterday, and it was quite full. If anything, it was too full. The food court was a gong show... with line-ups for virtually anything, including a mediocre glass of juice. Parking was mayhem.

Looks like many new stores in the mall since the opening - notably the Giardano store, which like Daiso is a welcome (and legitimate) retail addition from Asia.

The parking lot is always full. I rather park on the street than drive in there having to deal with all those stupid asian drivers [I'm canto myself btw]. And then the Beard Papa's store (yummy cream puffs) has a line up at all times basically. They achieve an average of $6000 worth of production cream puffs PER DAY. Crazy ain't it? Aberdeen Centre is starting to slowly fill itself up (but one must take account that many of the stores are owned by the mall). There are still a few stores on the third floor that is vacant, near the Fisherman's Terrace Restaurant.

You will see many more new stores in the long run ;) I think (not 100% sure) Bossini, another clothing store similar to Giordano and the equivalent of Gap/Old Navy, is looking into opening a store in Aberdeen Centre. They have international stores Cyrpus, Malta, and the Dominican Republic. Just none in North America so far...

[hollywoodnorth]

the downtown (cambie) Save-On Foods opens on Saturday at 6 am! the 29th!!!


YES :)

[quobobo]

the downtown (cambie) Save-On Foods opens on Saturday at 6 am! the 29th!!!


YES :)

Thanks for the heads up!

[officedweller]

Yeah, just when the excavation is on their doorstep!

[SpongeG]

lucky brand jeans is opening a second store (first one is in metrotown) on soth granville

a sign is up

is that former produce store or bakery that got demolished and was being replaced...

[dreambrother808]

Has anyone figured out what is going in beside the Urban Outfitters on Granville? When I was by there last weekend it seemed to be coming along rather well. Perhaps another Lucky Jeans? It reminds me of the LJ reno further up on South Granville. Both new stores would be rather disappointing to me. The LJ in Metrotown is blah blah blah to my tastes but I could see it having appeal for many others I guess.

[quobobo]

the downtown (cambie) Save-On Foods opens on Saturday at 6 am! the 29th!!!


YES :)

Unsurprisingly, that store is PACKED. Tons of (very friendly) employees though, some very good opening day sales (lean ground beef for $2.84 a kilo? Yes please!), and they're giving out reusable cloth bags to customers.

Really nice to have some real competition for Safeway in Vancouver, and even better to see all that major retail (Save-On, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Best Buy) at a location very well served by transit.

[deasine]

Unsurprisingly, that store is PACKED. Tons of (very friendly) employees though, some very good opening day sales (lean ground beef for $2.84 a kilo? Yes please!), and they're giving out reusable cloth bags to customers.

Really nice to have some real competition for Safeway in Vancouver, and even better to see all that major retail (Save-On, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Best Buy) at a location very well served by transit.

Oh really? Was traffic a nightmare?

It is nice to see stores opening all across Vancouver so that there is more competition. They are building a variety of big box stores at around Grandview Hwy & Rupert: Canadian Tire, Price Smart Foods, Pet Smart, etc.

[quobobo]

Oh really? Was traffic a nightmare?

It is nice to see stores opening all across Vancouver so that there is more competition. They are building a variety of big box stores at around Grandview Hwy & Rupert: Canadian Tire, Price Smart Foods, Pet Smart, etc.

Not sure about traffic, I took the bus. I imagine Canada Line construction + opening day wasn't great though.

[djh]

I was there, The Beat had DJs there, which was weird for a supermarket opening, and the till line-ups went well into the aisles. A person I know who works there said they had a pre-launch staff & friends party last night and they started at 6am this morning. They had a line-up at 8:30am, and it's been packed ever since.
Since my condo at XL is on the other side of the block, yes it's grat to see the neighbourhood getting established. Next up: Home Depot opens next week on April 3rd.:banana:

[leftside]

I see that the building which used to house the game store on Water Street is getting a makeover. It has been empty for a long time. Anyone know what is going in there?

[deasine]

I was there, The Beat had DJs there, which was weird for a supermarket opening, and the till line-ups went well into the aisles. A person I know who works there said they had a pre-launch staff & friends party last night and they started at 6am this morning. They had a line-up at 8:30am, and it's been packed ever since.
Since my condo at XL is on the other side of the block, yes it's grat to see the neighbourhood getting established. Next up: Home Depot opens next week on April 3rd.:banana:

I find it funny that Home Depot is opening there. I know there is a demand but it's funny seeing a building/hardware store around condos and apartments.

[SpongeG]

I see that the building which used to house the game store on Water Street is getting a makeover. It has been empty for a long time. Anyone know what is going in there?

its about freaking time

that place has been empty for too long - such a waste of a prime spot

[SpongeG]

thought i'd add a pic

the top of the building looks so crappy and cheap - the bottom really looks odd in contrast

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/DSC00153.jpg

[hollywoodnorth]

I checked out the new Save-on and WOW what a great store! A bit cramped but again it is Downtown all grocery stores downtown are cramped feeling cept for the Safeway on Davie.

The lines started to thin by the time I got there thank god but I was very impressed with all the staff around and the manager was there helping out. Great display by Save on foods.

I asked a corperate person when the next Save On would open in Vancouver and they were tight lipped. I tossed out Kingsway @ Naniamo and something was said that you'll see we have another one in the works also. Something like that so ya give me more Save On downtown! ;)

[Jacques]

I checked out the new Save-on and WOW what a great store! A bit cramped but again it is Downtown all grocery stores downtown are cramped feeling cept for the Safeway on Davie.

The lines started to thin by the time I got there thank god but I was very impressed with all the staff around and the manager was there helping out. Great display by Save on foods.

I asked a corperate person when the next Save On would open in Vancouver and they were tight lipped. I tossed out Kingsway @ Naniamo and something was said that you'll see we have another one in the works also. Something like that so ya give me more Save On downtown! ;)

Maybe the Woodwards?

[deasine]

I asked a corperate person when the next Save On would open in Vancouver and they were tight lipped. I tossed out Kingsway @ Naniamo and something was said that you'll see we have another one in the works also.

I thought they were building one at Kingsway & Knight at the apartment complex.

Something like that so ya give me more Save On downtown! ;)

More More More (their theme song!) :P

[hollywoodnorth]

I thought they were building one at Kingsway & Knight at the apartment complex.



More More More (their theme song!) :P


oh ya they still have that spot. But maybe they have something else on the go.

Or the lady may have been refering to the Price Smart.......as that is part of Overweighty-Save-on-Foods.....and I think the PS Location on Grandview will be open by Fall.

While the Saveon on Kingsway will be a couple years off.

But with the amazing responce they know they need more stores in Vancouver. People kept coming up to the manager and other uper level staff telling them how happy to finally be at a Save on in Van......how long they have been waiting for it to open, etc etc it was a big suck disk fest everywhere. I did not see any problems other than the line but even that was handled very well.

I have to say that was the smoothest Downtown Large Format store opening yet........good to see.


I wonder if Jimmy Pattison did his usual store look around on opening day as he does to most of his Vancouver area stores......

[Built Form]

Kingsway and Knight will be a T&T supermarket with the new library.

RBC will be locating on the north east corner of Homer and Nelson. They are seismically upgrading the building currently with BMO set to occupy 2 floors out of the 5 story office building.

[hollywoodnorth]

Kingsway and Knight will be a T&T supermarket with the new library.

RBC will be locating on the north east corner of Homer and Nelson. They are seismically upgrading the building currently with BMO set to occupy 2 floors out of the 5 story office building.

kingsway and nanaimo is the Save-on


cool to know what is up with the Homer and Nelson site

[Jacques]

kingsway and nanaimo is the Save-on


cool to know what is up with the Homer and Nelson site

Any insight as to what food store will be in Woodwards, it be nice to have SAVE-ON
cheer

[hollywoodnorth]

Any insight as to what food store will be in Woodwards, it be nice to have SAVE-ON
cheer

Same Company......different brand yet again.......Nestors Foods this time....making it the 2nd downtown Nestors and 3rd in Vancouver.

[Rusty Gull]

Nestors would be a great fit in the North Shore. I wonder why they haven't set up shop yet?

Also, I'm curious about the gushing over Save-On Foods. I live close to Save-On Foods (three of them, actually), and I sometimes go there, but besides the sheer size of the mammoth store on Marine Drive and the good quality of the meat/fish/produce, what's the appeal over the competition?

Granted, Whole Foods is quite pricey, and Superstore/Safeway can be down-at-the-heel depending on the location, but I'd be interested in hearing other opinions.

Is Save-On really -that- much better than Safeway or IGAMarketplace?

[dreambrother808]

Kingsway and Knight is a Save-On for sure. I know this because I worked on the TD Bank that is opening there in late July. In no way is the Save-On a couple of years off. It will be much earlier than that unless they decide to just leave their area sitting empty for a year or so. There have been some delays with the library because Aquilini goofed on the space and so plans have had to be altered, etc. Oh and surprise, surprise, a Starbucks is opening as well, which I think is good news actually. There is a paucity of good coffee in the neighbourhood. No need to fill that space with one more Banh Mi or Pho eatery, as much as I enjoy them both.

[dreambrother808]

Save-On is the same rip-off as a Safeway or an IGA in my opinion. We need a downtown Superstore. If we can have a Costco then certainly we can have a Superstore.

[quobobo]

Is Save-On really -that- much better than Safeway or IGAMarketplace?

I find that their prices are generally a little better than Safeway's, and their stores always look much, much better inside. I also really like their bakeries, and like you said their meat/fish/produce departments are much better than Safeway's.

Save-On isn't amazing, but I do think they're slightly better than the other stores around here in a lot of ways. Also, anything that pressures Safeway to to improve is good in my mind.

Save-On is the same rip-off as a Safeway or an IGA in my opinion. We need a downtown Superstore. If we can have a Costco then certainly we can have a Superstore.

Agreed, a Superstore in the more central part of Vancouver would be very nice. Maybe on all that undeveloped land near Main Street/Science World station?

[hollywoodnorth]

Nestors would be a great fit in the North Shore. I wonder why they haven't set up shop yet?

Also, I'm curious about the gushing over Save-On Foods. I live close to Save-On Foods (three of them, actually), and I sometimes go there, but besides the sheer size of the mammoth store on Marine Drive and the good quality of the meat/fish/produce, what's the appeal over the competition?

Granted, Whole Foods is quite pricey, and Superstore/Safeway can be down-at-the-heel depending on the location, but I'd be interested in hearing other opinions.

Is Save-On really -that- much better than Safeway or IGAMarketplace?

the NEW FORMAT Urban Save-Ons are different.....have you been to the Brentwood location by chance? Cambie is very very simmilar. Same with the Highgate Village location its of the New Format. The north shore locations are very Suburban in feel like the Delta or Scurrey ones. Different product mix also.


and yes Save-on really does kick Safeway and IGA's ass.

[hollywoodnorth]

Save-On is the same rip-off as a Safeway or an IGA in my opinion. We need a downtown Superstore. If we can have a Costco then certainly we can have a Superstore.

Walmart (Supercenter please!)
Superstore
Zellers
Priceclub

are my 4 in order of most want downtown in the cheap store variety. I think we will see 2 of the 4 in the next 10 years.

[Overground]

I'd prefer a Sainsbury's or Tesco, but frankly I don't give a toss what they put in at Kingsway/Knight 'cause there hasn't been anything in this area for aeons.

Kensington-Cedar Cottage aggravatingly seems to be an abyss of proper supermarkets. If you got a map you could probably draw a big circle and you would find Safeways are all on the edges of that with Oak/25th or Mount Pleasant or Broadway Stn. Since all the Safeways closed in this area(10 years?) the people in this area have endured a lot of inconvenience.

[deasine]

Out of all the super markets, I think PriceSmart Foods (same company as Save-On) is the best. They have the best prices out of all the supermarkets.

Safeway's are just slightly more expensive than Save-On, but I live closer to a Safeway so I shop there more. Then we also have Capers and Whole-Foods that are even more expensive, but hey I like their products better. Too bad I don't live close to either one.

IGA = horrible. End of discussion.

[SpongeG]

whats the dealio with the shoppers drug mart in pacific centre?

i thought they were going to shut it down at the end of last year?

since the new one had opened so close

it would make for a good hollister store (since A&F is in the extension) - some outside street windows etc.

[deasine]

whats the dealio with the shoppers drug mart in pacific centre?

i thought they were going to shut it down at the end of last year?

since the new one had opened so close

it would make for a good hollister store (since A&F is in the extension) - some outside street windows etc.

Yeah I was wondering about that... maybe both the stores have very good business.

I want more A&F and Hollister stores to open in Vancouver - but then again, if we have more of those, then my clothes won't be unique LAWL

[SpongeG]

the same kind of thing happenned in surrey delta - there was a shoppers in a strip mall on one corner - the delta side of scott road and a new strip mall development opened kitty corner and they put in a shoppers drug mart there

the old location tried to remain open but eventually shut down - the old one was a franchise and just couldn't compete with a flashy new store - i think he tried to sue them or something for giving another franchise so close to his

[Jacques]

Same Company......different brand yet again.......Nestors Foods this time....making it the 2nd downtown Nestors and 3rd in Vancouver.

Are you saying that it is NESTORS food chain that is coming to Woodwards, OMG this is really not good, I would rather it be a Choice's Market than Nestors.
I went to Nestors on Seymour a few weeks ago for the first time I freaked out its so tiny and claustrophobic and I feel they are a copycat of Choice's.
But Choice's has better layout even if their price are bit over the top, you can at least breathe between the aisles.
UM well so much for that Nestors and T&T for efficient affordable and intelligent shopping .
I guess I will be tracking back to Superstore and Sunrise market were staff have always been awesome people for as long as I live in Gastown.

[jlousa]

Nestors has been confirmed for ages at Woodwards, the store will be much bigger then the Seymour one though, it'll be almost 18K sqft at W.

[hollywoodnorth]

Are you saying that it is NESTORS food chain that is coming to Woodwards, OMG this is really not good, I would rather it be a Choice's Market than Nestors.
I went to Nestors on Seymour a few weeks ago for the first time I freaked out its so tiny and claustrophobic and I feel they are a copycat of Choice's.
But Choice's has better layout even if their price are bit over the top, you can at least breathe between the aisles.
UM well so much for that Nestors and T&T for efficient affordable and intelligent shopping .
I guess I will be tracking back to Superstore and Sunrise market were staff have always been awesome people for as long as I live in Gastown.

ya Choice's is the best grocery store in Vancouver by far. The Cambie location is shit mind you ;) But the Yaletown one is stellar! and my fav!

I know Choice's is looking at space for a 2nd Downtown Store. Think Coal Harbour ish area ;)

[hollywoodnorth]

Are you saying that it is NESTORS food chain that is coming to Woodwards, OMG this is really not good, I would rather it be a Choice's Market than Nestors.
I went to Nestors on Seymour a few weeks ago for the first time I freaked out its so tiny and claustrophobic and I feel they are a copycat of Choice's.
But Choice's has better layout even if their price are bit over the top, you can at least breathe between the aisles.
UM well so much for that Nestors and T&T for efficient affordable and intelligent shopping .
I guess I will be tracking back to Superstore and Sunrise market were staff have always been awesome people for as long as I live in Gastown.

Well we have Costco don't we? And the new Rexall and soon to be LD will help the area alot for options.

[officedweller]

Has anyone figured out what is going in beside the Urban Outfitters on Granville? When I was by there last weekend it seemed to be coming along rather well.

It does look good, espe for a reno of the old Capitol 6 entrance corridor and with the other two new buildings next door. No idea what is going in.

******

Save-on-Foods & Safeway are both union shops - so their prices are comparable.

Price Smart Foods is non-union, so its prices are comparable to Superstore (also non-union).

[SpongeG]

nestors is owned by IGA/HY Louie isn't it?

never been inside one - hear they are the main grocer in whistler

[leftside]

Nestors will be a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood. Sunrise is fantastic, but their hours do not match mine.

[hollywoodnorth]

nestors is owned by IGA/HY Louie isn't it?

never been inside one - hear they are the main grocer in whistler


opps my bad.........I get Coopers foods and Nestors Confused. OWFG has so many brands! (http://www.owfg.com/)

Nesters Market (a division of Buy-Low Foods Ltd., the "Company") ............originally Buy-Low wanted to open a "Buy-Low" at Woodwards but were forced to put in the higher end line of thier stores "Nestors". Which is originally from Whistler I might add. Old skool whistler grocery store that they bought out 5 years back.

Whistler now has an IGA MArketplace which is the largest grocery store in the area by far so its the Main one now.....

[cc85]

opps my bad.........I get Coopers foods and Nestors Confused. OWFG has so many brands! (http://www.owfg.com/)

Nesters Market (a division of Buy-Low Foods Ltd., the "Company") ............originally Buy-Low wanted to open a "Buy-Low" at Woodwards but were forced to put in the higher end line of thier stores "Nestors". Which is originally from Whistler I might add. Old skool whistler grocery store that they bought out 5 years back.

Whistler now has an IGA MArketplace which is the largest grocery store in the area by far so its the Main one now.....

nestors is owned by buy-low which is owned by overwaitea group, which is owned by jimmy pattison. who also owns urban fare, save on, and pricesmart foods. seems the only grocery stores ihs conglomerate doesnt own is choices, superstore, safeway, and costco.

[Jacques]

nestors is owned by buy-low which is owned by overwaitea group, which is owned by jimmy pattison. who also owns urban fare, save on, and pricesmart foods. seems the only grocery stores ihs conglomerate doesnt own is choices, superstore, safeway, and costco.

......And 3 of the 4 stores not owned my " JP " have quite reasonable prices, so why not one of those in W ????
Isn't JP rich enough to let go anything he owns to creep up in DTES,
has he not have enough yet
come one JP , we know BC boy makes it big, but gouging that's not nice:slob:

[jlousa]

To clarify something here, the JP group acutally wanted to put in a lo-cost food store in Woodwards. They were rejected as the development wanted to target a higher end audience. They feared having a low-cost market would give off the wrong signal. It appears they made the right decision for the development even if it's not the right decision for the area.
Don't worry though more options are coming.

[204]

Walmart (Supercenter please!)
Superstore
Zellers
Priceclub

are my 4 in order of most want downtown in the cheap store variety. I think we will see 2 of the 4 in the next 10 years.

You will need a time machine to get a Priceclub downtown. They merged with Costco in the early 90's.

[flight_from_kamakura]

To clarify something here, the JP group acutally wanted to put in a lo-cost food store in Woodwards. They were rejected as the development wanted to target a higher end audience. They feared having a low-cost market would give off the wrong signal. It appears they made the right decision for the development even if it's not the right decision for the area.
Don't worry though more options are coming.

this is true, but the chinatown people also played a significant role. during the application stage, they lobbied against a large grocery shop, and the compromise was that the developer would look to mitigate competition by pushing for a highend shop. so no to buy-low and yes to nestors. overall, a smart move for westbank (keeping the property prestige); a good move for the political/bureaucratic class (protecting chinatown commerce); a good move for tenants throughout the dtes (choices between tnt, nestors and small merchants provides a better range of products & prices than most vancouverites have) and better for the redevelopment of the area (it fits with the gentrification project already underway in earnest).

[hollywoodnorth]

You will need a time machine to get a Priceclub downtown. They merged with Costco in the early 90's.

opps I ment the Walmart Costco Wannabe thing? whats its called?

[quobobo]

this is true, but the chinatown people also played a significant role. during the application stage, they lobbied against a large grocery shop, and the compromise was that the developer would look to mitigate competition by pushing for a highend shop. so no to buy-low and yes to nestors. overall, a smart move for westbank (keeping the property prestige); a good move for the political/bureaucratic class (protecting chinatown commerce); a good move for tenants throughout the dtes (choices between tnt, nestors and small merchants provides a better range of products & prices than most vancouverites have) and better for the redevelopment of the area (it fits with the gentrification project already underway in earnest).

Not going to argue some of those points, but protecting stores from competition is good for citizens? :koko:

This must be some new definition of "good".

[officedweller]

Not going to argue some of those points, but protecting stores from competition is good for citizens? :koko:

This must be some new definition of "good".

you mean .... good for "shoppers"?

It's really a form of protectionism - to protect both businesses and the jobs and diversity that those businesses provide to the community.

Personally, I think that businesses can adapt when new competition emerges - i.e. the Wal-Mart debates. ...and Wal-Mart hasn't sterilized Lougheed Town Centre (mall and environs) of retail stores.

In the case of Chinatown, I would have thought that T&T would have been more of a threat to the local Chinatown merchants than a western-format grocery store.

[Jacques]

To clarify something here, the JP group acutally wanted to put in a lo-cost food store in Woodwards. They were rejected as the development wanted to target a higher end audience. They feared having a low-cost market would give off the wrong signal. It appears they made the right decision for the development even if it's not the right decision for the area.
Don't worry though more options are coming.

Refreshing hope :)

[SpongeG]

opps I ment the Walmart Costco Wannabe thing? whats its called?

Sam's Club ;)

[SpongeG]

thinking of IGA - they opened that new one on west broadway next to the new London Drugs but they still have the old one open

is it planned to be closed down? or are they gonna wait till something can get developed there? and just be greedy having two stores?

[mr.x]

thinking of IGA - they opened that new one on west broadway next to the new London Drugs but they still have the old one open

is it planned to be closed down? or are they gonna wait till something can get developed there? and just be greedy having two stores?

They have plans to become the Starbucks of supermarket chains.:whip:

[quobobo]

you mean .... good for "shoppers"?

Yeah, that was badly worded.

[flight_from_kamakura]

Not going to argue some of those points, but protecting stores from competition is good for citizens? :koko:


well, you have too look at these things wholistically. balancing neighborhood health, city planning and development goals, and encouraging and sustaining appropriate neighborhood amenities - this all requires nuance and skill.

"protecting" chinatown businesses from fierce competition was just one important consideration (by one side of the stakeholder equation), and the only reason the city would want to do something like that is because a healthy commercial component in chinatown is essential to whatever happens next in the dtes, it's crucial to tourism in the area, it gives coherence to chinatown/strathcona as an independent neighborhood, etc.

it would hardly make sense to revive the dtes by getting tough with chinatown.

[muzhav84]

It does look good, espe for a reno of the old Capitol 6 entrance corridor and with the other two new buildings next door. No idea what is going in.

******

Save-on-Foods & Safeway are both union shops - so their prices are comparable.

Price Smart Foods is non-union, so its prices are comparable to Superstore (also non-union).

i worked at superstore in 2000-2001 and it was union then. did they drop the union?

[SpongeG]

no its still union they have a plaque at the entrance of the stores usually

I used to work at superstore too way back in the early 90's and the wage was not that great plus they deducted union dues