[hollywoodnorth]

yup it will do gangbusters there ... even more so as the OV fills out .... and the free parking is awesome! will be hitting her up this weekend.

[officedweller]

Nice, I may check it out.
If the free parking is easily administered it will help it get more traffic than Save-on-Foods (which is a bit of a hassle because you still have to pay when you exit (i.e. put your groceries on the floor)). Even Safeway at City Square is easier to deal with.

******

Sign up at L'Atelier on the Homer side in the large super high ceiling retail space next to the Bing Thom building:

"Noodle Box"

********

The former women's Hugo Boss location at Howe & Hastings now has a sign that says "Starbucks" coming soon.

.

[hollywoodnorth]

Nice, I may check it out.
If the free parking is easily administered it will help it get more traffic than Save-on-Foods (which is a bit of a hassle because you still have to pay when you exit (i.e. put your groceries on the floor)). Even Safeway at City Square is easier to deal with.

******

Sign up at L'Atelier on the Homer side in the large super high ceiling retail space next to the Bing Thom building:

"Noodle Box"

********

The former women's Hugo Boss location at Howe & Hastings now has a sign that says "Starbucks" coming soon.

.

just got back from the NO FRILLS on Broadway ... WOWZA ...great store ... great staff and AMAZING PRICES! and for Skyscraper nerds like us there is a half decent view from the upstairs free parking which is VERY abundant ... also its actually FREE no meters no bullcrap ... park ... shop .... leave! imagine that ;)

produce would be on par with a SUPERSTORE ... product mix is fairly similar as well.

as noted there is some great Indian Ethnic foods ... guess who's having naan and curry for dinner ;)

overall I'm very very impressed and no longer will shop at Save-on and will cut down Safeway to just the basics and veggies/fruit. Wholefoods is still a must as they have stuff no one else does ;)

[Solomon]

The aisles and spacing in the No Frills store is quite generous and pretty decent hours (9am - 10pm daily). The place was pretty packed late afternoon today -- more than Office Depot ever was in terms of number of customers in the store.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5457719690_32ce2d2efa.jpg

Get ready for A LOT OF YELLOW. See my gallery for some more pictures (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26692164@N07/sets/72157625959306641/)


I walked in this afternoon-it's a tad smaller than it looks from the outside but clean and well laid out-although I can see some tight corners when it fills up on weekends that's retail.

Standard No Frills product mix with a number of Indian products mixed in and even some Filipino groceries-and some outstanding prices.

Staff were very well briefed and friendly.

As predicted this place is a winner right out of the gate.

[dreambrother808]

I'd never shopped at No Frills until I moved to the West End. I was shocked by how cheap some things were. They have the best prices of any Canadian grocery store IMO, barring buying in bulk from Costco.

Unfortunately I live closer to Safeway and so I spend a lot of money there due to the convenience factor.

[SpongeG]

was at Forever 21 in Richmond centre on friday its a pretty huge store, packed hard to walk around, all ages, the mens section is better than the mens at metrotown - the store beeper at the door was going off a lot too

[hollywoodnorth]

Got an e-mail from Fiat Canada confirming the location as 1620 Main Street, across from the old Vancouver Chrysler dealership. Renovations to begin shortly.

cool news! can you cut and paste the email for us?

hope they do a lot to the building >> http://goo.gl/maps/WVOx

as its POS ... also I wonder how much of that building they are taking ... must be all of it ....

[hollywoodnorth]

apparently URBAN FARE has pulled out as grocery tenant .... :(

Nestors or Choices seem like the best suited for there IMO....

[whatnext]

cool news! can you cut and paste the email for us?

hope they do a lot to the building >> http://goo.gl/maps/WVOx

as its POS ... also I wonder how much of that building they are taking ... must be all of it ....

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy177/Whatnext2010/image00136.jpgFiat of Vancouver Update!

Exciting times are coming for us and for you…Our first Fiat 500’s are built and ready to be shipped! Actually the first one has just been loaded onto the rail car and is en route!

I’m sure that you have looked at the fiatcanada.ca website and have seen the different models, options and upgrades – but click on the attachment marked ‘New Fiat Models’ for an easier layout of trim levels and pricing.

Breaking News…!

We have just been informed that the Cabrio (convertible) will be available this year – we will keep you updated.

Our new Fiat of Vancouver home is at 1620 Main Street (close to the corner of Main and Terminal and the sky train station).

Construction renovations will be starting shortly and we hope to have the doors open for April 1st.

Until then, I will handle all inquiries from the Marine Chrysler Dodge Jeep showroom. I can now place an order for your new customized Fiat…Call me today!

Ciao for now

[VancouverguyDowntown]

apparently URBAN FARE has pulled out as grocery tenant .... :(

Nestors or Choices seem like the best suited for there IMO....

Are you talking about the grocery tenant at the Olympic Village?

[SpongeG]

they are only carrying one model of the fiat?

too bad about urban fare but i think the chain is hurting way too upscale for that area

[officedweller]

Could also be because of the number of other grocery stores in the area too.

[whatnext]

they are only carrying one model of the fiat?

too bad about urban fare but i think the chain is hurting way too upscale for that area

Yep, just the 500 (or Cinquecento as the Italians say) to start anyway. A perfect city car for Vancouver. Unlike the Smart it has 4 seats, and its way cheaper than a Mini. For the best thing, check out the website - there's a huge variety of colours inside and out. I hate how so many other makers are reverting to Henry Ford's truism: "you can have any colour interior you like, as long as its black :yuck:

[SpongeG]

i love fiats my cousin in south africa had a little yellow one not sure what model but it was a little compact

[hollywoodnorth]

Are you talking about the grocery tenant at the Olympic Village?

ops sorry . yes @ OV

[wrenegade]

The 500 is the only Fiat to arrive in NA for now, but I think it will do well. Considering buying one as the car share vehicle for one of projects. Either that or the new Fiesta. It is cheaper than the Mini but it is much smaller, you don't really get as much car. WAAY better than a Smart car though, I think those are a total waste of time.

[SpongeG]

maybe they can bring the multipla - lol thats such an ugly one

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFWf9ql-g6o/TI-UaDmsxyI/AAAAAAAABLw/AnN6CkdVIiU/s1600/fiat-multipla-2002-001.jpg
source (http://catetoblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/in-homage-of-fiat-multipla.html)

[204]

I still think that shopping in Vancouver - at least high-end shopping - is too diffuse. Montreal has Crescent Street

Crescent Street? It's mostly bars, restaurants, some galleries and and few no name boutiques... There is no Brooks Brothers, Tiffany's, etc, etc. Vancouver actually does very nicely in this segment.

[SpikePhanta]

Crescent Street? It's mostly bars, restaurants, some galleries and and few no name boutiques... There is no Brooks Brothers, Tiffany's, etc, etc. Vancouver actually does very nicely in this segment.

I think Vancouver probably beats montreal in more NA popular brands, but Montreal has all the no name high end boutiques with the european fashions.

Not in my price range, but very good.

[SpongeG]

original joes on broadway is open again - they must have shut down for renos or something but they were open tonight

[nova9]

original joes on broadway is open again - they must have shut down for renos or something but they were open tonight

yeah, i thought it was curious that we were talking about the broadway one closing just as their commercials were bombarding radio stations.

[sacrifice333]

Michael Kors looks to be complete, all construction and scaffolding is down, awning is complete.

[SpongeG]

Walmart in Port Coquitlam is hiring for all store positions right now and says they are opening soon - i didn't realize that were that close to opening already i thought 2012 or something

[GeeCee]

Huh, I had no idea that project had even started construction yet.

http://www.buyric.com/projects/2010/10/port-coquitlam-walmart-fremont-village-development-opening-2011-001/

June 2011 it looks like.

[vancity2010]

Anyone know what happened to the Starbucks at Sheraton Wall Centre? Signage was all removed on Thursday..... So weird...They were open 24 Hours for a while too.

[Yume-sama]

Hopefully it's still there. Starbucks' closing in Vancouver has been foretold as a sign of the impending apocalypse.

[bc2mb]

Milano Coffee Bar coming to Powell Street in Gastown:

http://www.vancouverhoods.com/gastown/milano-boutique-coffee-house-opening-gastown/

Also Coffeebar...
http://www.vancouverhoods.com/gastown/coffeebar-opening-water-stgastown/

mmm coffee...

[SpongeG]

Hopefully it's still there. Starbucks' closing in Vancouver has been foretold as a sign of the impending apocalypse.

there have been a few starbucks closures over the years for every close two sprout up

it might not have been a real starbucks if it was inside the hotel it might have been a licensed concept - such as the one in sears which is run by cara foods ie not corporate like the one across the street on granville

[zahav]

a new hotel-run coffee shop called "Wall Centre Coffee" or something like that is going to open

[officedweller]

From NEWS 1130:

Two swanky Vancouver restaurants closing doors
They are co-owned by star chef Daniel Boulud

Renee Bernard
Feb 27, 2011 21:27:45 PM VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Vancouver is losing two high end restaurants.

Staff at Lumiere and db Bistro Moderne was told on Saturday that they have two weeks left on the job.

General manager of the two restaurants Chris Gonzalez says their employees were quite shell-shocked. "We've got a very passionate group of individuals that all believe in our restaurant quite a bit, so it was a very somber occasion."

He says they were told a variety of factors led to the decision. "Ultimately, it closed for the same reason any business would close: not enough revenue."

Renowned chef Daniel Boulud co-owns both restaurants.

BC restaurants have complained that the HST and new drinking-driving laws have affected business.

[hollywoodnorth]

From NEWS 1130:

thats GREAT news! Go ROB FEENIE Go!

[Yume-sama]

Sucks for them. I *so* hope Cactus Club leases out their space. :haha:

If I were Feenie I would make absolute sure of it.

[hollywoodnorth]

Sucks for them. I *so* hope Cactus Club leases out their space. :haha:

If I were Feenie I would make absolute sure of it.

LOL! great idea .... I will use the Cactus Club's website suggestion form to suggest this :) hope you don't mind? ;)

[SpongeG]

MCM makes travel retail debut in North America

http://www.moodiereport.com/images/mcm_vancouver_01.jpg
MCM's first travel retail boutique in North America offers a full range of large and small leathergoods for men and women

http://www.moodiereport.com/images/mcm_vancouver_02.jpg
The offer spans a wide variety of colours and lines including MCM's collaboration with the British artist Richard Woods

CANADA. MCM has opened a boutique in partnership with Aldeasa at Vancouver Airport - the German leathergoods brand’s first travel retail store in North America.

The 40sq m shop forms part of the luxury open-plan fashion area with Bvlgari, Cartier, Montblanc, Loewe, Burberry, Bally, Dunhill, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Givenchy and Etro.

The MCM boutique, which began trading on February 17, offers a full range of large and small leathergoods from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection with ranges for both men and women.

The offer spans a wide variety of colours and lines: Egoista, Ivana Patent, First Lady, Latte, Heritage Cognac, Richard Woods and Air Collection. The Craig Redman collection will be added from March 2011. The small leathergoods range includes belts for men, fun key-rings and crystal-embellished wallets.

..

http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=30&doc_id=26584

[SpongeG]

Zumiez is opening in Coquitlam Centre - thats two for Canada

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3120/imag0165p.jpg

[SpikePhanta]

Zumiez is nice, but more for me a few years ago :P

Tim hortans royal centre is open!

[nova9]

Zumiez is opening in Coquitlam Centre - thats two for Canada

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3120/imag0165p.jpg

i'm surprised because i thought skater wear was kinda on the downward trend. i mean, since teens (male or female) nowadays wear jeans that are practically painted. Do people still wear those huge skater shoes?

[officedweller]

One of the vacated stores in Pacific Centre has a name on the hoarding - Juicy Couture. I think it's across from Banana Republic or so.

[SpongeG]

fancy girl douchebag wear! a few years too late unless the jersey shore wannabees here come out to support it

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vvltPasEY0E/Sw7MRdUFRvI/AAAAAAAAA28/og39Rs0m1qU/s1600/Juicy_Couture_suit234.1.jpg
http://thefuturewasscary.blogspot.com/

[SpikePhanta]

i'm surprised because i thought skater wear was kinda on the downward trend. i mean, since teens (male or female) nowadays wear jeans that are practically painted. Do people still wear those huge skater shoes?

Really there are a few different cliques.

Tapout, Ed hardiots, those who don't really participate in school, wannabe gangsters.
Skater bieber kids, with the skate shoes and DC wear ect. into high school they sorta split, with half becoming of the kids who wear skate clothing stoners, or real skateborders, unlike elementary school posers dissapear.

other groups include posh, average, regular, and some other minor groups.

[jlousa]

A&W in Waterfront Stations new next door neighbor will become none other then Fresh Slice. Guess might as well ensure all the retail is of the same calibre.

[SpongeG]

I just noticed Lindtt chocolate has opened a store in new westminster @ queensborough landing - seems like an odd spot - why not robson or denman or even the convention centre!

[whatnext]

Sad to see the Van East Cinema has just closed. Another neighbourhood movie theatre bites the dust.

[Spork]

I just noticed Lindtt chocolate has opened a store in new westminster @ queensborough landing - seems like an odd spot - why not robson or denman or even the convention centre!

It is an outlet, I believe.

[SpongeG]

Sad to see the Van East Cinema has just closed. Another neighbourhood movie theatre bites the dust.

the building is getting redeveloped at least :) and the one on broadway is still there

[SpongeG]

It is an outlet, I believe.

yah but it could still open elsewhere - maybe they will it looks pretty swanky from a distance

[djh]

Sad to see the Van East Cinema has just closed. Another neighbourhood movie theatre bites the dust.

Its fate was sealed when the other cinema in that area - the Rio - stopped being just an East Indian cinema and started showing mainstream and arthouse films. Two neighbourhood cinemas with similar programming and only a block apart? Somebody has to go.

[NewfBC]

I just noticed Lindtt chocolate has opened a store in new westminster @ queensborough landing - seems like an odd spot - why not robson or denman or even the convention centre!

There's a Lindt on Robson, in Sears.

Ron.

[hollywoodnorth]

Curtain falls on indie theatre

Waning attendance forces closure of Commercial Drive's Van East Cinema

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Curtain+falls+indie+theatre/4394182/story.html#ixzz1G4NTE6qr

http://www.vancouversun.com/Curtain+falls+indie+theatre/4394182/story.html

[SFUVancouver]

^ The VanEast has been closed for business for months now. Whatever the opening weekend was for The Social Network was the cinema's last hurrah. I live in the neighbourhood and I liked seeing the odd movie there but the place was just delapitated. They invested in a new projector and sound system and those were good, plus the staff were just so earnest and the concession a steal (drink and popcorn for $4.50, not $2000 as it is at a big multiplex) but you just couldn't escape the feeling that the place was on it's last legs. The Rio, on the other hand, is a neighbourhood treasure. Super friendly staff, awesome programming, very reasonable concession, plus absolutely first class seats, sound, and projection quality.

As for the adaptive reuse of the building, it's pretty impressive that they're taking on the project as proposed. They're adding two storeys but lopping a solid third off the back of the building so that it relates to the adjacent neighbours as if it were a C2 mixed use building. There will be pretty amazing ceiling heights for most of the homes too, on the order of 11 or 12 feet for most and if I recall the two level loft homes have something amazing like 20 feet of clearance.

[nova9]

Topshop working on a deal with The Bay to bring topshop and topman to Canada!!!! Bonnie Brooks is really serious about restoring the fashion clout of The Bay - first halston, then the white rooms, then coach, and now this? I like her!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/uk-retailer-topshop-coming-to-canada/article1934430/

[sacrifice333]

Topshop working on a deal with The Bay to bring topshop and topman to Canada!!!! Bonnie Brooks is really serious about restoring the fashion clout of The Bay - first halston, then the white rooms, then coach, and now this? I like her!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/uk-retailer-topshop-coming-to-canada/article1934430/

Just wish she would leave the commercials to someone else!

[jlousa]

Another Coffee shop opening up Coffee Crema is coming to Hastings and Cambie. Just off the top of my head there will be.

Bean around the World
JJ Bean
W2 Cafe
Starbucks
Milano
Coffee Bar

And that's not including all the other places that are more then just cafes withing the immediate area.
Looks like caffeine is becoming the drug of choice in the dtes.

[SpongeG]

There's a Lindt on Robson, in Sears.

Ron.

i looked on their site - i forgot about that one - i didn't think they would count it as their own store i thought it was part of sears

[LeftCoaster]

Another Coffee shop opening up Coffee Crema is coming to Hastings and Cambie.

Crema is great, will be interesting to see if it lasts tho, it might be a little to high end for the area.

[SpongeG]

does anyone know what furniture company it will be??

Red Barn shutting its doors

http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/90147surrey21537whiterockRedBarns.jpg
Red Barn Antiques in Cloverdale will be shutting its doors for good in a few months, after the landmark heritage building was sold last month to make way for a furniture store.
Jennifer Lang / Black Press

By Jennifer Lang - Surrey North Delta Leader
Published: March 09, 2011 10:00 AM
Updated: March 09, 2011 10:48 AM

Two years after initiating the process of winding the business down, it’s suddenly the end of the line for Red Barn Antiques.

The landmark heritage building at 5566 176 St., home to what was once Canada’s largest antique store and certainly one of its finest, sold last month, owner Leigh Carnegie has confirmed.

In less than three months, and after 42 years in business – 38 of them in Cloverdale – the familiar Red Barn will shut its doors to make way for the new owner, a “big furniture company” that sells modern furniture.

“We’ve had a great run,” Carnegie said.

The closing-out sale began in 2009, ushering discounts of 30 to 50 per cent on some items.

Much like the liquidation sale currently drawing brisk business over at the Cloverdale Antique Mall, the Red Barn was overcome with customers looking for a deal.

At the time, Carnegie didn’t blame the antique market. Rather, as the only family member left running the massive retail operation started by his parents, Bill and Dorothy, he was ready to wind things down.

The huge antique and collectible store – famed for its paint job, maze-like showrooms, and unmatched collection of memorabilia, from soda fountains and totem poles to old-fashioned gas pumps and Chinatown phone booths – was a favourite source of props for movie crews filming and discerning collectors from across North America.

The plan was to slowly sell off the merchandise, and then the building. Carnegie, one of five siblings, said it took time for the family to agree to the sale. It was put on the market a few months ago.

Now that the property has sold, a massive clearance sale has begun to get everything out in time.

The new owner plans to start renovations at the end of May.

“Now it’s really true,” Carnegie said. “We’re definitely going out of business and that’s the way it is. There’s no turning back.”

The barn is still home to the unique inventory that made it a one-of-a-kind destination, although the merchandise has thinned out, according to Carnegie.

“It was jammed in here. There was like 30, 40 gas pumps like that one,” he said, pointing to a poster paint-hued early 1900s model. “Now everything’s changed in here. It’s dramatically reduced.”

Once news of the sale spreads, collectors will snap up collectibles in good condition, even though they’re expensive. “It’s going to look gutted, fast.”

He’s taken on virtually no new stock in two years, except for consignment items in the main furniture storeroom.

Everything must go – the wooden carousel horses and neon signs, the 1800s general store coffee grinders, and the home kit Piper replica plane with 400 hours of flying on it (it was $8,500; now 50 per cent off. As is. Some additional assembly required).

The store houses a saloon, auto garage and soda fountain – showcases built by Carnegie and filled with vintage collectibles, right down to the advertisements on the walls.

“People come in and they just think they’re in a little village,” he says.

In some respects, it’s more museum than retail outlet. Carnegie just calls it “rich junk.”

There’s old-fashioned prairie sideboards, 25-cent grocery store amusement rides, roll top desks, giant wooden wardrobes, bound newspapers, stained glass church windows, sheet music and a wooden jukebox – the last of Carnegie’s proud collection.

Red Barn Antiques has long been a favourite stop for shoppers. “They do the flea market and then they come here. It’s their Sunday outing,” says Carol Lirette, one of four employees who will lose their jobs when the store closes.

“Cloverdale’s going to die down a bit because of this,” she says.

Lirette was terrified of dropping something expensive when she started, but “Leigh told me not to worry.” Every day brought a new adventure. Once a guy walked in with a parrot on his shoulder.

“We get a lot of creative people in here,” Lirette adds, listing artists, actors and doctors among the clientele.

Kids often shout, “Mom, look at this!” They don’t know what they’re pointing at, but they’re excited.

Lirette knows of a couple of youngsters – regulars – who are already hooked. One collects Coca Cola bottles and other “high-end” stuff, she says.

Business is quieter than it used to be, though interest in memorabilia is picking up thanks to shows like Pawn Stars and American Pickers, which has spawned a Canadian version premiering in April.

“People are watching their dollars,” Carnegie says, adding economic news out of the U.S. continues to look bleak.

Internet sales through sites like eBay and Craigslist transformed the antique and collectible industry, which was booming as recently as 10 years ago, he said. Suddenly, what was “rare” wasn’t rare for a collector with a web browser and PayPal account.

Carnegie, 60, has no immediate plans other than to take six months off after the barn closes down.

His parents operated the Pioneer Shop in North Vancouver for five years before moving to Cloverdale. They bought the original heritage barn, adding a second barn as business grew. For a time, Red Barn Antiques was the largest antique store in Canada, flourishing along with the smaller stores here.

As recently as November, Cloverdale was being referred to as the antique epicentre of B.C. on blogs. And the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce still calls Cloverdale the “Antique Capital of Canada” on its website.

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/business/117664033.html

[SpongeG]

the news at noon showed the stores that were checked out in vancouver - not surprising but was surprised that LV and burberry both sent undercover spys to local area stores

Fashion faux pas: Vuitton, Burberry suing Canadian companies over phoney goods

VANCOUVER - Three Canadian companies caught selling Louis Vuitton and Burberry knock-offs committed more than just a fashion faux-pas, say lawyers for the haute couture giants, who are suing the companies in federal court.

Vancouver-based companies Singga Enterprises Inc. and Carnation Fashion Company, along with Altec Productions of Toronto, violated trademark law with their phoney fashions, said Michael Manson, lawyer for the fashion houses.

The plaintiffs are seeking up to $3 million in damages for trademark and copyright infringement in what could be the "largest anti-counterfeiting judgment in Canadian history," Manson told the court Tuesday, the first day of the hearing.

Singga and Altec were involved in large-scale, sophisticated manufacturing operations in China and imported vast amounts of fake goods with the intent of selling them nationwide at stores, gift shows and online, he said.

...

http://www.bonnyvillenouvelle.ca/article/GB/20110308/CP02/303089785/-1/bnv/fashion-faux-pas-vuitton-burberry-suing-canadian-companies-over&template=BNVcpart

[SpikePhanta]

Modern Furniture, maybe Nood?

[Waders]

Not sure whether this has been posted already.

H&M will be opened in Metropolis mall across Forever 21. Their sign has gone up around the hoarding.

[SpongeG]

finally they announced that store years ago

[officedweller]

The corner retail space at L'Atelier has been papered over and the "For Lease" sign has been removed.
Anyone know what's going in?

[hollywoodnorth]

not sure if it has been posted but the Space at Thurlow @ Georgia beside the new Escada will be a BLENZ.

[sacrifice333]

not sure if it has been posted but the Space at Thurlow @ Georgia beside the new Escada will be a BLENZ.

I hope they at least make it a bit more upscale then their average store. :koko: I swear I feel dirty just walking into one.

Doesn't really make sense to me either... same family runs Panago which has pretty decent design for a pizza shop...

[NewfBC]

I hope they at least make it a bit more upscale then their average store. :koko: I swear I feel dirty just walking into one.

Doesn't really make sense to me either... same family runs Panago which has pretty decent design for a pizza shop...

Hmm.. had no idea Panago was related to Blenz. I know Blenz and Steamrollers have a connection.

Ron.

[SpongeG]

koreans bought out blendz

i thought it was going to be a high end pen shop - i guess not eh oh well

[vancity2010]

Did Peak Performance close down? Saw a sign in the window that said store closed....

[sacrifice333]

^I believe they're re-opening in Kits, but with a delay in between.

[LotusLand]

koreans bought out blendz

i thought it was going to be a high end pen shop - i guess not eh oh well

Um no they didn't. Blenz has been owned and operated by Vancouverites since 1992. It's head office is in Vancouver. They have shops overseas too Japan, maybe Korea lol

[SpongeG]

Um no they didn't. Blenz has been owned and operated by Vancouverites since 1992. It's head office is in Vancouver. They have shops overseas too Japan, maybe Korea lol

ah my korean friend said it was recently bought by korean-canadians - i guess he is wrong - i know they own waves maybe he got them confused

[LotusLand]

ah my korean friend said it was recently bought by korean-canadians - i guess he is wrong - i know they own waves maybe he got them confused

No worries. Waves basically copies them

[Waders]

Does anyone know what happened to Off The Wall Clothing?
Almost all the 7 BC stores have been closed, including the one in Metropolis mall.
According to their web site, they are closing all the stores after 27 years in business. Is the business losing money?

[Van23H]

I am surprised about Off the Wall, but that does open up a prime retail space in the building which also house the HMV megastore. I wonder what will take its spot. I was wondering if anyone has gotten any updates on what is happening at the Vancouver hotel in terms of retail? I have been in England for the past month so feel a little out of the loop.

[ryanmaccdn]

Does anyone know what happened to Off The Wall Clothing?
Almost all the 7 BC stores have been closed, including the one in Metropolis mall.
According to their web site, they are closing all the stores after 27 years in business. Is the business losing money?


Sam Baio who ran West 49, purchased Off the Wall sometime in 2006 and began to re-develop the iconic Canadian brand as a more hip and fashion forward outlet compared to its sister brand West.

Unfortunately the damage was already done and Off the Wall never regained its iconic market share it commanded in the late 90's to very early 2000's.

In 2010 Billabong International bought out West 49 and decided to dissolve the limping Off the Wall banner.

Unfortunately Canadian retailers hold the same distinction as Canadian TV/Movies/Media.... they are terrible and have zero international appeal (Aritzia is an odd exception).

Once US/International retailers entered the Canadian market they were unable to keep up.

Look at the Bay.... it's finally become credible in the retail world only after it was bought out by a US company.

Fingers crossed we can hope that YM Inc (Suzy Shier/Urban Exchange/Stiches) goes down the pipes next.

On a positive note.... H&M is opening its two floor location at Metrotown across from Forever 21.

Anyone else notice that Arby's shut down alot of locations? Are they completely gone? They did a wicked turkey/swiss combo.

[SpongeG]

there is an Arbys in Coquitlam Centre and I think metrotown still has one

not surprised about off the wall - an ontario chain Boathouse seems to fill in their void

a money tree has opened on commercial drive @ 1st avenue - i didn't notice but didn.t that kitchen pplace used to be in there plus next door? did they shrink their store or shut down entirely?

[SFUVancouver]

a money tree has opened on commercial drive @ 1st avenue - i didn't notice but didn.t that kitchen pplace used to be in there plus next door? did they shrink their store or shut down entirely?

Kitchen Corner reduced its footprint down to a single storefront. The former bank, into which Kitchen Corner had previously expanded, is now a loan shark Money Tree. Definitely a step back for the neighbourhood. I was hoping that Tim Horton's would be the future tenant, mirroring their move into the former bank building at Main and Broadway. Not that I especially like Tim's coffee, but such a move seemed plausible to me in light of their successful launch on The Drive last year and the company's longstanding desire to have highly visible locations.

[wrenegade]

Audi will be opening up a new dealership at 2nd & Burrard in Vancouver. It will be run by the Dilawri/MCL Group. I'm not 100% sure, but my guess is it will be built on the current Aston Martin Vancouver site. Aston will have to move elsewhere or be folded back into MCL at 1st & Burrard, or perhaps move into First on First? Audi will also be opening a new dealership in Langley that will be operated by Gold Key Volkswagen.

[SpikePhanta]

ah my korean friend said it was recently bought by korean-canadians - i guess he is wrong - i know they own waves maybe he got them confused

Waves is franchised, so individual owners could be korean, but the owner of the main franchise owner isn't korean.

I was hoping that Tim Horton's would be the future tenant, mirroring their move into the former bank building at Main and Broadway. Not that I especially like Tim's coffee, but such a move seemed plausible to me in light of their successful launch on The Drive last year and the company's longstanding desire to have highly visible locations.

Tim hortans is across the street isn't it? Near the MLA office and the DQ.

[connect2source]

"Unfortunately Canadian retailers hold the same distinction as Canadian TV/Movies/Media.... they are terrible and have zero international appeal (Aritzia is an odd exception).

Once US/International retailers entered the Canadian market they were unable to keep up. "

Not so true ryanmacdn..

Many Canadian, or once Canadian retailers have done incredibly well, Aldo, Montreal based is without a doubt the most visible fashion forward shoe store in the world, Roots is known in much of the world, La Senza, Canadian until recently is huge in Canada and Europe, Lululemon is taking over everywhere it goes..

Not bad for a market this small..

[SpikePhanta]

^^ True, I was shocked to see a La Senza in Marrakech!

[SpongeG]

Waves is franchised, so individual owners could be korean, but the owner of the main franchise owner isn't korean.



Tim hortans is across the street isn't it? Near the MLA office and the DQ.

i thought waves was started by a korean/canadian lawyer and canadian investors aimed at a way for immigrants to come to canada and open franchises mainly targeting korean immigrants

not that it matters but it does to my korean friend to support fellow koreans

[SpikePhanta]

Lots of Korean restaurants do that lol, I think there is one on bute and robson, it has new korean owners every 6 weeks :P

[SpongeG]

yah my friend just started at one korean owners, they just opened or maybe took over two weeks ago and its all koreans who work there he said barely anyone speaks english so its interesting haha

[SpongeG]

just a pic for the thread - the new H&M coming to metrotown

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5765/imag0201u.jpg

[LotusLand]

Found out that Anthropologie on South Granville is opening up May 13
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/01/anthropologie-vancouver-2011-south-granville-store/

[SpongeG]

saving my pennies for a candle now

[Spork]

Steve Madden is now open in metrotown. Exactly the same crap as Aldo (for Men, anyways). In fact, if you walked me in there with a blindfold on, removed it, and told me that it was Aldo, I would believe you 100%. Browns is also open, which could do better as well, IMO.

[Spork]

saving my pennies for a candle now

Will you burn it at the next SSP meet?

[SpongeG]

no its too precious

[SpongeG]

that irish pub at the convention centre looks open - was down at the convention centre last night around 12 am and there were two staff people and someone in the kitchen but no customers on st patricks day! an irish pub empty!

hopefully they can survive - maybe it was busier earlier on? the other irish pub in gas town looked overflowing, they had street shut down in fact

[officedweller]

Saw an ad in the paper that Liberty (home furnishings) is moving from West Broadway to Yaletown. It didn't say where.

[djh]

Saw an ad in the paper that Liberty (home furnishings) is moving from West Broadway to Yaletown. It didn't say where.

Well that was a waste of money for them. They were originally in Yaletown (was it the corner of Seymour and Drake? Where there's now a Shopper's Drug Mart). The building got bought & redeveloped, they moved to Broadway, and the store was always empty there. I remember hearing a rumour last year that they were going to close down. So now, back to expensive Yaletown?

[SpongeG]

smaller spot - is the EQ3 spot is still empty?
and the old swedish design house spot is empty
beyond those two spots at the top of my head what else would be available i wonder...

is probably better for them since their competition is down there - the cross, chintz and company

I believe they owned the store property on broadway they did a major renovation for opening there - they can probably sell it for a nice profit to inject into the business, they shut down most of their stores - langley, north van, victoria and I don't know iof they ever opened in calgary where they had planned to open - the new owners just screwed up what the previous owners had built up

[Prometheus]

that irish pub at the convention centre looks open - was down at the convention centre last night around 12 am and there were two staff people and someone in the kitchen but no customers on st patricks day! an irish pub empty!

hopefully they can survive - maybe it was busier earlier on? the other irish pub in gas town looked overflowing, they had street shut down in fact

According to their website, that location is not open yet. And their Twitter page said that they would not be ready to open for St. Patrick's Day.

[SpongeG]

ah i wonder why - there was no work going on at all, the tables were all ready they had menus on all the tables, the bar was stocked, the kitchen was ready in fact they had food sitting in bins to be used and they had two people sitting inside the bar doing nothing

maybe waiting on a license? or some red tape holding em up?

there seems to be a big american medical type conference going on and some trade shows - losing out on some prospective customers - shame

[officedweller]

Chow Times reports that H-Mart will be opening "this spring" at Aberdeen Centre.

They had just closed the wet market section at the ground floor for renovations. It seem like the ETA is spring.

Pic from ChowTimes:
http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/20110320-1131481.jpg

http://chowtimes.com/2011/03/20/h-mart-coming-to-richmonds-aberdeen-centre/

[Van23H]

As I hinted a few month ago that changes were coming to the Vancouver Hotel in terms of retail, Omega has officially announced that they will be building a flagship store in the hotel taking both the space they are currently in and the space that was previously occupied by Snowflakes and will open this summer. Cant wait till St. John vacates their current space for a new high end designer two floor flagship store. ;) but no worries St. John will be moving to a new location in the hotel.

http://www.klondikecontracting.com/klondike-lands-an-omega-project/

[SpongeG]

Chow Times reports that H-Mart will be opening "this spring" at Aberdeen Centre.



Pic from ChowTimes:
http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/20110320-1131481.jpg

http://chowtimes.com/2011/03/20/h-mart-coming-to-richmonds-aberdeen-centre/

thats just what the mall needs a grocery store - that will make it better :banana:

[LeftCoaster]

As I hinted a few month ago that changes were coming to the Vancouver Hotel in terms of retail, Omega has officially announced that they will be building a flagship store in the hotel taking both the space they are currently in and the space that was previously occupied by Snowflakes and will open this summer. Cant wait till St. John vacates their current space for a new high end designer two floor flagship store. ;) but no worries St. John will be moving to a new location in the hotel.

http://www.klondikecontracting.com/klondike-lands-an-omega-project/

Sounds promising, thanks for the info.

[officedweller]

On Robson Street in the former lingerie store next to 7-Eleven - a sign that says "Canucks Team Outlet Store" or something like that.

Also, signs are now up in the windows for the restaurant (was it a deli?) at The Capitol.

[SpongeG]

its a quebec eatery or something like that

tim hortons is opening across from mcdonalds in metrotown