[SpongeG]

bath and body works opened 6 stores in Canada - 5 in ontario and the edmonton one

the company that owns bath and body works is the company that bought out La Senza a while back

I spend way too much money at the ones in the states glad they are closer to home i can use my $50 a day cross border shopping for something else now :)

[Built Form]

Can't remember if this was pointed out already but the old Canadian Tire off Burrard bridge will be a Coast Mountain Sports.

[Built Form]

Also Urban Fare Shangri-la will open November 5th.

[officedweller]

I was wondering what was going into the Canadian Tire. Will the Coast Mountain store up the hill on 4th stay open or close?

[westcoast604]

UGH.... i doubt they have the money to rent that space.

NO ONE SHOPS AT AMERICAN APparel plus I doubt Cadillac Fairview would let them in such a prized location.



They have quite a large store in Metrotown. All 3 downtown stores are very small in size and cramped.

And yes people shop at American Apparel, and they likely have money to rent that space:



December 19, 2007

American Apparel (APP) officially became public Thursday, finally completing their merger with the blank-check company Endeavor Acquisition Corp.

The fashionable, sweatshop free retailer is currently trading under the radar because of the alternative route taken by founder Dov Charney to bring his business public. Dov has grown the apparel company from one beach-front store in 2003 to 175 stores worldwide, but still has plenty of room to grow with a plan for 800 stores in the near future. All clothes are made in the company's Los Angles factory where workers are paid livable wages and given generous benefits. This business model has become very profitable and delivered high quality products, contrary to the common belief that retailers need to outsource to stay competitive.

The company reported staggering same store sales growth of 27% in the third quarter. The only other retailer with similar growth is the Canadian yoga wear retailer, Lululemon Athletica (LULU), who reported Q3 comps of 36% or 26% on a constant dollar basis. Through the first nine months of the year, American Apparel reported sales of 275 million, versus LULU's 170 million for the same period.

A slightly higher growth rate but lower sales has given LULU a 3.2 billion market cap, over three times American Apparel's 1 billion valuation. With a current Price to Sales ratio on 2007 sales of 3, the stock is even cheaper than most slow growth retailers such as Urban Outfitter's who had Q3 comps of just 8% but has a P/S of 3.4. In a recent issue of Forbes', Lazard's Research Director, Paul Noglows picked APP as his stock of the year for 2008.

A healthy boost of confidence from a man who picked Decker's Outdoor as his 2007 stock (+160% YTD). In the coming weeks and months you can expect to start seeing analyst coverage and more momentum as the street digests this company. It is not easy to find AA's financials yet, (the investor relations section will be updated soon on American Apparel's website, currently they can be found at endeavoracq.com) but I urge you to take some time and look them over. I believe this $15 stock is set to double over the next year.

[SpongeG]

Can't remember if this was pointed out already but the old Canadian Tire off Burrard bridge will be a Coast Mountain Sports.

ah me and my friend wondered what was going on there when we passed it a week or two ago - seemed like some kind of work was going on the outside

nice spot for them

[djh]

They have quite a large store in Metrotown. All 3 downtown stores are very small in size and cramped.

And yes people shop at American Apparel, and they likely have money to rent that space:



December 19, 2007

American Apparel (APP) officially became public Thursday, finally completing their merger with the blank-check company Endeavor Acquisition Corp.

The fashionable, sweatshop free retailer is currently trading under the radar because of the alternative route taken by founder Dov Charney to bring his business public. Dov has grown the apparel company from one beach-front store in 2003 to 175 stores worldwide, but still has plenty of room to grow with a plan for 800 stores in the near future. All clothes are made in the company's Los Angles factory where workers are paid livable wages and given generous benefits. This business model has become very profitable and delivered high quality products, contrary to the common belief that retailers need to outsource to stay competitive.

The company reported staggering same store sales growth of 27% in the third quarter. The only other retailer with similar growth is the Canadian yoga wear retailer, Lululemon Athletica (LULU), who reported Q3 comps of 36% or 26% on a constant dollar basis. Through the first nine months of the year, American Apparel reported sales of 275 million, versus LULU's 170 million for the same period.

A slightly higher growth rate but lower sales has given LULU a 3.2 billion market cap, over three times American Apparel's 1 billion valuation. With a current Price to Sales ratio on 2007 sales of 3, the stock is even cheaper than most slow growth retailers such as Urban Outfitter's who had Q3 comps of just 8% but has a P/S of 3.4. In a recent issue of Forbes', Lazard's Research Director, Paul Noglows picked APP as his stock of the year for 2008.

A healthy boost of confidence from a man who picked Decker's Outdoor as his 2007 stock (+160% YTD). In the coming weeks and months you can expect to start seeing analyst coverage and more momentum as the street digests this company. It is not easy to find AA's financials yet, (the investor relations section will be updated soon on American Apparel's website, currently they can be found at endeavoracq.com) but I urge you to take some time and look them over. I believe this $15 stock is set to double over the next year.

What's the source of this article? Can you cite it please?

THANKS!

[SpongeG]

they also have stores in kits south granville.... etc

talk about over kill

pacific centre deserves something new not another store that can be found robson street 3 minutes away

[johnjimbc]

The comment someone made recently about Bath & Body Works and US chains reminded me of something I think about every couple of weeks.

I moved here from the states about 5 months ago, and I have actually enjoyed getting to know the Canadian stores. I would not want to see the US chain stores sweep in and displace too much.

However, there are two stores from the US that I miss. The first is Target, though I have found stores that fit the bill in that category.

The second, however, I haven't. Have any of you ever heard of or shopped in a Container Store? It is a store owned by the same folks who own Williams Sonoma & Pottery Barn.

The concept sounds goofy at first, but once you've shopped in one, you'll be hooked. It's just ever conceivable type of box storage, closet storage, desk storage, kitchen storage, household and garage storage item as well as basic organizational / office items you could ever hope to find - all gathered in one medium-size big box outlet store. In addition, they sell elfa shelving and closet systems, gift supplies (gift boxes, ribbons, etc) and moving supplies (boxes - including specialty boxes, tape, labels, etc).

Once I discovered them, I was surprised how often I went and it became a standard in the DC area where I lived. Just like people talk about going to an Office Depot for office supplies, folks would casually reference needing to stop by Container Store when setting up an office, moving to a new apartment or home, etc. The great thing is it is so specialized that you can pretty much find exactly what you want instead of making do with an "ok" alternative, which is what I find myself doing here. They have different shapes, styles, and options for everything. It is just a stunningly simple concept executed very well. Everyone tends to want to get more organized so why not create a store where everything related to that is under one roof in good quality products and a wide selection of options.

I would LOVE Container Store to make the trek across the border. As of now, I think there is one in the Seattle area. I haven't been to it yet. May make a trip in a few weeks with my "list"

Here's a link to their website: http://www.containerstore.com/

[sacrifice333]

The second, however, I haven't. Have any of you ever heard of or shopped in a Container Store? It is a store owned by the same folks who own Williams Sonoma & Pottery Barn. http://www.containerstore.com/

Well the other two are here now, so maybe it's next...

[officedweller]

They used to have a chain called "Hold Everything" - sounds like the Container Store is the successor.

[officedweller]

http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/bc/story.html?id=b1d323ac-22b0-479f-9de4-f9d73f3c90a2

Yaletown Sofa owner vanishes, leaving customers and creditors stranded

Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Yaletown Sofa co-owner Zane Lowell sent an e-mail to staff at the company's 15 outlets telling them to close the stores, the business was finished.

"The dream is over," was the heading that Lowell put on the e-mail. He hasn't been heard from since. Hundreds of customers who had pre-paid for their furniture were left with nothing.

The federal and provincial governments were owed thousands of dollars in unpaid sales taxes. Suppliers, some owed hundreds of thousands of dollars, have unpaid furniture sitting in their warehouses. And Lowell's wife and co-owner of Yaletown, Pauline Sandland, is reportedly in shock. She is not answering her telephone.

The sudden end of Yaletown Sofa and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Lowell is the story of an enterprise that flourished and grew during the buoyant housing market and an era of easy credit that came crashing down so suddenly over the summer.

Banks are becoming more cautious about extending lines of credit and consumer spending is slowing down in B.C., said Jock Finlayson, of the B.C. Business Council. Small business in particular, is coming under siege as the fall-out from the U.S. financial crisis moves north. "There are going to be some casualties," he said.

For furniture retailer Yaletown Sofa, the housing slowdown meant fewer homeowners buying sofas. Further, Yaletown Sofa had gone through a rapid expansion after opening with only one outlet in 2005. With high overhead for its 15 outlets and declining sales, Yaletown's bank was nervous. At the end of August it withdrew its line of credit.

The stores closed for a few days, re-opened briefly and then closed permanently Sept. 16. Yaletown had more than just credit problems, however. It had fallen badly behind on tax payments, prompting the B.C. government to seek a seizure order from the courts for $76,000 in unpaid sales tax.

It's a move the revenue ministry takes only after all other avenues have been exhausted. Bailiffs loaded two 16-metre-long trailers with furniture that was being stored at the company's Vancouver warehouse.

It is being auctioned off Wednesday at Love's Auctioneers Richmond location. The stores are shut down, employees are unpaid and customers stranded. But Lowell did not declare bankruptcy, which would have at least given customers and suppliers an avenue to seek reimbursement. Instead, he disappeared.

"We got an e-mail from the owner telling us to close the stores. That's all I know; that's the last I heard," said accountant Rose Harvey, who is still owed money for work she did. "He titled it 'The dream is over' and he hasn't been heard from since," said Harvey, who worked on a contract basis.

Lowell started having cash-flow problems in August. After losing his line of credit, he raised funds elsewhere but then Canada Revenue Agency seized most of that money for taxes owed.

By Sept. 16, the rest of the money was gone, including money customers like Yasmina Palluau had paid as a deposit for two bar stools. She put down $200 cash. It's been a hard lesson for Palluau, who thought she was doing the right thing by not using credit for her purchase. She can't seek a refund from her credit card company and with Yaletown closed but not in bankruptcy, she can't even join a list of creditors.

"I am resigned to it," she said, adding she is not happy about it.

Supplier Rick Ripoli, of furniture maker Stylus, hears from about 10 angry customers a day.

"We are getting inundated with phone calls from consumers who have been ripped off," said Ripoli, who has $250,000 worth of Yaletown orders sitting in Stylus' Burnaby plant, many with customer name tags on them.

He said he feels badly for customers who have nowhere to turn. To help them out and to move the furniture, he is offering it to them wholesale.

If they paid for it by credit card, they can get a refund for their deposit, he said.

"Then they can come to us and we will sell it wholesale. We can help them out and it helps us too." he said. "But some people, unfortunately have paid for the full amount. They are screwed. The guy is gone. We don't know where he is and his wife doesn't know where he is."

"It's not just the money we lost though. We lost a very large customer. How do you replace a couple of million dollars of business?

ghamilton@vancouversun.com

© Vancouver Sun 2008

[SpongeG]

i love the container store! their closest one is in bellevue - been to the one in portland a couple of times too

great idea great stuff :)

even storables would be nice here

looks like Grandview Corners is starting to open - Sony opens this week

on their site it says Indigo Books and H&M are opening next spring

GRANDVIEW CORNERS 700,000 square feet of retail offers customers our traditional mix of value-oriented retail with Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Future Shop and The Brick. In addition we're adding an urban lifestyle village.

Discover over 30 new fashion, food and home furnishing stores opening this fall with more to come next spring like,Indigo Books & Music and H&M.

http://www.grandviewcorners.ca/index.html

[hollywoodnorth]

i love the container store! their closest one is in bellevue - been to the one in portland a couple of times too

great idea great stuff :)

even storables would be nice here

looks like Grandview Corners is starting to open - Sony opens this week

on their site it says Indigo Books and H&M are opening next spring



http://www.grandviewcorners.ca/index.html

wow lots of stuff going in there. HMV also.....

[SpongeG]

yeah calvin klein, tommy hillfigger, geox, BCBG

would be good for a suburban Apple Store too (steve jobs if your reading ;) )

its looks ok the few times I have passed it - seems a lot is opening now

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

[westcoast604]

What's the source of this article? Can you cite it please?

THANKS!

http://seekingalpha.com/article/57483-american-apparel-set-to-double

[djh]

Speaking on closures, and one that *everybody* saw coming...

Just walked home past Dadeo's (Cambie/17th) - it took over the space of Tomato when they couldn't bear the RAV construction any more and moved to Kits.
The sign in the window says something like:

"We Are Closed Indefinitely for
Re-novation
Re-furbishment and
Re-imagining"

Hmmm. Never saw many customers in there, they took over a location that a neighbourhood favourite couldn't even make work during the construction, and on top of that, I don't think I ever once saw a flyer or advert from them.

Only surprise was that they lasted this long. I hope Tomato takes it over again! Come Home, Tomato!!!

[djh]

Speaking of closures, and one that *everybody* saw coming...

Just walked home past Dadeo's (Cambie/17th) - it took over the space of Tomato when they couldn't bear the RAV construction any more and moved to Kits.
The sign in the window says something like:

"We Are Closed Indefinitely for
Re-novation
Re-furbishment and
Re-imagining"

Hmmm. Never saw many customers in there, they took over a location that a neighbourhood favourite couldn't even make work during the construction, and on top of that, I don't think I ever once saw a flyer or advert from them.

Only surprise was that they lasted this long. I hope Tomato takes it over again! Come Home, Tomato!!!

[ryanmaccdn]

27% comps on what? A 4,000 dollar Saturday of business. Come back when your ready to play with the big boys.... more like 120,000 in sales on a saturday.

Ugh comp growth is so misleading.




They have quite a large store in Metrotown. All 3 downtown stores are very small in size and cramped.

And yes people shop at American Apparel, and they likely have money to rent that space:



December 19, 2007

American Apparel (APP) officially became public Thursday, finally completing their merger with the blank-check company Endeavor Acquisition Corp.

The fashionable, sweatshop free retailer is currently trading under the radar because of the alternative route taken by founder Dov Charney to bring his business public. Dov has grown the apparel company from one beach-front store in 2003 to 175 stores worldwide, but still has plenty of room to grow with a plan for 800 stores in the near future. All clothes are made in the company's Los Angles factory where workers are paid livable wages and given generous benefits. This business model has become very profitable and delivered high quality products, contrary to the common belief that retailers need to outsource to stay competitive.

The company reported staggering same store sales growth of 27% in the third quarter. The only other retailer with similar growth is the Canadian yoga wear retailer, Lululemon Athletica (LULU), who reported Q3 comps of 36% or 26% on a constant dollar basis. Through the first nine months of the year, American Apparel reported sales of 275 million, versus LULU's 170 million for the same period.

A slightly higher growth rate but lower sales has given LULU a 3.2 billion market cap, over three times American Apparel's 1 billion valuation. With a current Price to Sales ratio on 2007 sales of 3, the stock is even cheaper than most slow growth retailers such as Urban Outfitter's who had Q3 comps of just 8% but has a P/S of 3.4. In a recent issue of Forbes', Lazard's Research Director, Paul Noglows picked APP as his stock of the year for 2008.

A healthy boost of confidence from a man who picked Decker's Outdoor as his 2007 stock (+160% YTD). In the coming weeks and months you can expect to start seeing analyst coverage and more momentum as the street digests this company. It is not easy to find AA's financials yet, (the investor relations section will be updated soon on American Apparel's website, currently they can be found at endeavoracq.com) but I urge you to take some time and look them over. I believe this $15 stock is set to double over the next year.

[Delirium]

there's a sign up at the "oh my Godard's" space on granville that Aldo is opening up there soon replacing to the failed gallery. the indian restaurant nextdoor Mysala closed and there's another restaurant going in. can't remember the name but a new sign is up.

also, the Blends across the street was completely gutted (the interior). there's no sign of what's going in (or if it's just a reno of the old Blends)

payless shoes looks ready to open. they replaced the burger king at granville/robson.

[officedweller]

Id pay someone good money if they can get any info/proof on whomever is taking over the Gap space.

There is now a big poster on the hoarding saying "Hollister" - and it runs the entire length of the former Gap.

There's also new signage for the Gap in the old Roots store space next to the former Sony Store location (to be Town Shoes).

[ckkelley]

there's a sign up at the "oh my Godard's" space on granville that Aldo is opening up there soon replacing to the failed gallery. the indian restaurant nextdoor Mysala closed and there's another restaurant going in. can't remember the name but a new sign is up.

also, the Blends across the street was completely gutted (the interior). there's no sign of what's going in (or if it's just a reno of the old Blends)

payless shoes looks ready to open. they replaced the burger king at granville/robson.

Do we know when the new BK is going to open? Every now 'n then I get a hankerin' for a Whopper with cheese.

[officedweller]

Looked in the other day and the place is still down to the studs - looks like it'll be a while.

[phesto]

Waves is opening a new location in the corner space at Sapphire (Bute and Pender).

The rest of the retail space along Pender is completely dark with no signage and no activity...

[Denscity]

[QUOTE=phesto;3837969]Waves is opening a new location in the corner space at Sapphire (Bute and Pender).

The rumour for that space was 7-11's first Coal Harbour location but not no more i guess. That would be quite high rent for a fledgling business like waves. Hope it lasts. My Vancity home is just down the street.

[hollywoodnorth]

[QUOTE=phesto;3837969]Waves is opening a new location in the corner space at Sapphire (Bute and Pender).

The rumour for that space was 7-11's first Coal Harbour location but not no more i guess. That would be quite high rent for a fledgling business like waves. Hope it lasts. My Vancity home is just down the street.

ya 7-11 seems to have stoped their downtown expansion. Still seems like lots of room for locations....

Good news on Waves!

[Yume-sama]

Hollister finally opening in Vancouver, huh. Can't say I'd wear anything they make, but I did notice quite an invasion of it this past Summer. It seemed like every single person I saw Downtown was wearing it. I hadn't even really heard of it before, and Google doesn't even know of a place in Vancouver that sold it. I chalked them up as tourists :P

[SpongeG]

there is a Hollister in Bellis Fair about 30 mins south of Vancouver

I know I bought my nephews xmas presents there a few years ago

its a kids store too -target customer is 14-18 - nothing worse than seeing 30 year olds in it

[SpongeG]

Grandview takes shape

By next spring, Semiahmoo Peninsula residents will have another 45 stores to peruse for fashion, food and more, as work wraps up on Grandview Corners Lifestyle Village.

Part of a 50-acre, $180 million project at 24 Avenue and 160 Street, the 160,000-square-foot Village will include Indigo Books, HMV, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, U-Lounge, Coast Capital Savings, La Senza, Sony Style and more.

“We have about 16 independent tenants,” noted Brian Nosko, VP of leasing for developer SmartCentres. “It’s a good balance between national, regional and locals.”

Nosko said about 30 of the stores slated for the 13-acre Village will be open this fall (some are already doing business); the remainder will be ready early next year.

“The stores are opening on an individual basis as they get finished,” Nosko said.

Land for the project was purchased in 2003; two years later, Surrey council gave the green light for SmartCentres to develop on each of the intersection’s four corners.

Grandview Corners is located within a 2,000-acre swath known as Grandview Heights, which will be developed over the next two decades to accommodate an anticipated 30,000 new residents.

It was the first large-scale shopping centre approved for the area, and is said to be the largest unenclosed shopping centre in the province.

Nosko said the Village was “very, very, very well-received” from a leasing perspective.

“There was pent-up demand for retail in South Surrey... in books, in music, in fashion and in food,” Nosko said. “It’s given local retailers an opportunity to take their business to the next level.”

Other tenants will include Ambiente, Montana’s, Tim Hortons, Memphis Blues, Hallmark, Pebble Creek and Jack & Jill.

SmartCentres development manager Nathan Hildebrand said the aim of the Village is to create something similar to Vancouver’s Robson Street and south Granville areas. The West Coast climate is ideal for an unenclosed project, he added.

“You couldn’t do something like this in Ontario,” Hildebrand said.

Nosko said the design is what shoppers in semi-urban settings want: “the mix, so that they don’t have to travel to Langley.”

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/spongeg/10910whiterockvillage092208-03.jpg

http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/peacearchnews/news/30404989.html

[SpongeG]

City franchise stores sold back to lululemon

Ryan and Kim Smith are selling their lululemon athletica and oqoqo franchise stores back to the Vancouver-based parent company, lululemon athletic inc., The sale is effective this Tuesday.

The stores on Johnson Street downtown -- the only locations for each brand on Vancouver Island -- will remain open and the 45 staff retained, Ryan Smith said yesterday.

The Smiths opened the lululemon store in 2002 and the oqoqo outlet in 2005. It was just the fifth lulu store in North America at the time and remains one of the most successful in the chain, said Smith.

The yoga-inspired clothing company founded by Chip Wilson in 1998 in Kitsilano has since exploded in popularity with more than 80 stores in Canada, the United States and Australia.

The company, which trades on the Nasdaq Exchange, plans to open 35 more stores in North America and earn revenues of $385 million this year.

Smith said he and Kim are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends "before pursuing new opportunities." Smith worked for the former B.C. Building Corp. before taking on the franchise.

Alistair Eason, former catering director at the Fairmont Empress hotel, has been named general manager of Truffles Catering. The Island's largest full-service food catering company made other key staffing moves -- J.P. Green added executive chef duties to his responsibilities overseeing Habitat at Royal Roads University; Jenna Stewart was promoted to chef de cuisine overseeing menu planning and design; and Shannon Atchison, formerly banquet manager at the Laurel Point Inn, has been added as sales and event co-ordinator. Truffles has catering deals with the Royal B.C. Museum, Camosun College, Victoria Symphony, Sooke Harbour House, Church and State Winery and Hatley Castle National Historic Site. Don Caveley's 18-year-old company recently acquired the Butterfly Gardens attraction in Brentwood Bay.

Victoria-based West Coast Spill Supplies Ltd. has increased in size and territory after the acquisition of Island Spill Supplies and Distribution, a Nanoose Bay company run by Lloyd and Cheryl Vandermeer, who serviced the central and north Island. D'Arcy and Gary Anderson, who have been operating West Coast Spill for 13 years, said the deal was a natural fit and gives their new customers an extensive product offering and larger inventories. West Coast is a full-service supplier of environmental, spill control and prevention products. Click www.spillsupply.com or call 250-652-4549.

Home Depot Canada maintains it will open its 80,000-square-foot store in Campbell River in the spring, despite rumours that the big-box home improvement chain is planning to close up the building project for winter and then wait for financial conditions to improve.

The global economic meltdown isn't fazing Future Shop. The Canadian unit of the world's leading electronics retailer Best Buy announced this week it is hiring 6,000 new staff for the Christmas season. That's about 50 new staff per store. Hiring fairs will be advertised in the coming weeks.

Townline Group of Companies -- the Vancouver firm behind the Hudson in the old Bay Building, and more recently the acquisition of the nearby Radius project -- are in a giving mood this Thanksgiving. The development company announced three donations in its "neighbourhood," including a partnership with Trail Appliances to donate a washer and dryer to George Jay Elementary to wash school uniforms; $2,500 worth of socks and underwear to homeless service provider Our Place; and a $2,500 cheque to the Burnside Gorge Community Association for its benefits and outreach program aimed at the homeless and isolated families.

A heads-up to the tech startups out there: Dale Gann, vice-president of the UVic-owned Vancouver Island Technology Park and president of the Canadian Association of University Research Parks, has a deal you simply can't refuse. He's leading a delegation to a boot camp and investor forum in the Silicon Valley Oct. 20 and has made five openings available. The only cost to startups will be plane tickets to San Francisco, as the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco will cover accommodation and the $500 registration fee per company. The Plug and Play Tech Centre Workshop features 150 tech startups from 20 countries sharing ideas on how to build successful companies and attract venture capital. Since 2006, Plug and Play has raised $600 million in funding. Gann can be contacted with the details at dgann@vitp.ca.

There's been plenty of staff movement at Tourism Victoria lately. Heather McGillivray, who's been with the marketing destination company for seven years -- most recently as senior manager of travel media relations -- was appointed director of sales overseeing travel trade, meetings and incentive travel and travel media relations. Meanwhile, Kristine George, who's been there six years, was named director of niche market development to focus on sports, arts, culture, cruise ships, green tourism and the 2010 Olympics file. Heather Oughtred returns from maternity leave to a new position next week in the trade travel department to implement familiarization tours for travel agents and tour operators. Taking Oughtred's place as sales manager in travel trade is Doug Treleaven, who had filled the position for the past eight months. Treleaven has more than three decades in the industry, including recent tours with the Oak Bay Beach Hotel Discovery Club and B.C. Ferries.

Swans Buckerfield's Brewery has added to its growing national reputation with three medals at the recent Canadian Brewing Awards -- bringing its medal haul at the country's premier beer judging event to 20 in just six years, including the coveted National Brewpub of the Year in 2006. A panel of eight judges gave brewmaster Andrew Tessier a gold medal for Tessier's Witbier, silver for Swans Appleton Brown Ale and bronze for Swans ESB. Click www.swanshotel.com or, better yet, just pop downtown and try one.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=537e0da8-fd01-434a-a074-2824ccbd68ef

[SpongeG]

Calven Klein Underwear is opening a store on Alberni - in one of the old tourist trap shops

(currently hiring on workopolis)

Calvin Klein Jeans is opening in South Surrey @ Grandview Corners...

[crazyjoeda]

Calvin Klein Jeans is opening in South Surrey @ Grandview Corners...

A lot of stores are opening up there, including an H&M.

[officedweller]

Beard Papa opens at City Square today.

[jlousa]

Word on the street is that the London drugs store on Broadway will house it's sister store a MarketPlace IGA after London drugs moves into it's new home at Crossroads. Apparently they own the location. Should be interesting to see how it does against the Save-On just down the road.

[officedweller]

Not to mention the Safeway at City Square and the new Whole Foods at Crossroads. Supermarket overload!!

[quobobo]

Yeah, that many supermarkets in such a small area does seem odd.

IGA's previous store doesn't seem to be in a sensible location either (Broadway/Vine, 3 blocks from the Broadway/Maple store), I wonder why they're doing this lately.

[SpongeG]

there is an IGA going in on West 4th too - near Alma i think its is

[SpongeG]

Yeah, that many supermarkets in such a small area does seem odd.

IGA's previous store doesn't seem to be in a sensible location either (Broadway/Vine, 3 blocks from the Broadway/Maple store), I wonder why they're doing this lately.

i thought that the broadway maple store was going to close when the new one opened - it is indeed weird

perhaps they were hoping to sell it but that home depot development never went through in that location?

[sacrifice333]

Supermarket overload!!

They need a few around Broadway & Burrard... nothing around there.

[LeftCoaster]

There's an IGA like two blocks over at Broadway and Maple...

[dreambrother808]

the vine store is so small compared to the maple one though. could it really handle the customer flow from both? either way, it's some bad planning.

[mooks28]

The Broadway and Maple store is unionized. The one at Vine is not.

Also, that lot is going to be developed sooner rather than later.

[officedweller]

So are the prices cheaper at the Vine location?

+++++++++++++

There was also supposed to be a supermarket in the "Mantra" project at 4th & Fir. Nothing announced though - so not sure if there will be one. i.e. a smaller supermarket like Nestor's, etc.

[SpongeG]

they could use more supermarkets along kingsway - there are a lot of small places but not many large one stop supermarkets

even main and kingsway could use a better one than buycrack foods

[dreambrother808]

There are always over-priced groceries with exceptionally poor service to be found at IGA on Main and 15th.
BuyLow may not look pretty but its prices are fair and they actually try to staff an appropriate number of cashiers.

[SpongeG]

yeah but around knight and kingsway - there isn't much

we drove down kingsway last night to a movie at metrotown from the west end - its pretty lacking until you hit the safeway near boundary

[jlousa]

There will be a Save-On at Kingsway and Knight in King Ed Village, the city has been making life difficult for them but it's still happening.

[vanlaw]

There will be a Save-On at Kingsway and Knight in King Ed Village, the city has been making life difficult for them but it's still happening.

Yeah, I've heard another few months, maybe Spring '09 until it opens.

[officedweller]

The Aldo clearance store on Granville has closed down. It has been gutted inside - not sure what's going in or if it's a renovation.

[SpongeG]

aldo outlet was said to be moving to the old OH MY GODARD location

something is being done at that site right now as well

no idea whats going on with the old aldo outlet location though

unless the move to oh my godard was temporary?

[SpongeG]

also the grandview Wal-Mart had a hiring fair last week and are hiring now - they must be opening in early 2009 than? like january or february? any dates out there?

[officedweller]

Earl's Yaletown is almost ready to open. Peeked in Saturday night and everything is set up. Laser printed signs on the doors said not yet open but open "very soon".

Also looks like work is going on down the block at the old Nygard/Domain Interiors/Yaletown Interiors space that was rumoured to be either Joey's or The Keg.

[hollywoodnorth]

also the grandview Wal-Mart had a hiring fair last week and are hiring now - they must be opening in early 2009 than? like january or february? any dates out there?

I sure hope so :)

[officedweller]

A friend at work said that signs are up saying the Crossroads London Drugs opens November 15th or 18th.

[SpongeG]

wholefoods opens soon too :)

the canadian tire on grandview is open now

[Denscity]

The Shoppers below The Ritz on W Pender looks to be opening anyday now. Their signs are now up and lit, and all of their shelves are stocked and ready to go.

[cjohnny4]

I just talked to a security guard standing outside the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Ritz in Coal Harbour and he told me that the store would be opening on Friday, October 31, 2008 (tomorrow). I swear he wasn't wearing an orange construction vest!

[hollywoodnorth]

I just talked to a security guard standing outside the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Ritz in Coal Harbour and he told me that the store would be opening on Friday, October 31, 2008 (tomorrow). I swear he wasn't wearing an orange construction vest!


LOL I was going to ask the question...but glad your verified :) ;)

Did he have a hard hat on? ;) :cheers:

[muzhav84]

that Yaletown location is going to be a Keg, I can confirm that. This will open in the spring, around the same time as "Ki" the upscale Keg at Shangri-La.

Also, the former Macarroni Grill on Davie is becoming a Keg. Not sure of an opening date yet

[Smooth]

that Yaletown location is going to be a Keg, I can confirm that. This will open in the spring, around the same time as "Ki" the upscale Keg at Shangri-La.

Also, the former Macarroni Grill on Davie is becoming a Keg. Not sure of an opening date yet

I didn't realize that the Macaroni Grill was closing. If it becomes a Keg does this mean I will no longer be able to draw on the paper tablecloths with crayons?

[officedweller]

Thanks for the info.

[SpongeG]

SCION is coming to Canada - Apparently only Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal will get the showrooms...

I wonder where they could put on in Vancouver?

[SpongeG]

looks like MAVI Jeans has opened on Granville near the new Lucky Jeans store

ALDO on granville shut down its Aldo Outlet which is apparently opening up where oh my godard used to be and the old Adlo Outlet is going to be an ALDO store

Stussy is opening up in gastown on the new hipster/trendy street (Powell Stree) - a sneaker store called G looks pretty swank along with some new clothing stores that seemed to have popped up recently

STUSSY VANCOUVER CHAPTER 1

The Stussy Vancouver crew has been very busy with the new chapter store build out and also a book detailing every aspect of this project. This includes following fir trees from their natural forest state through the British Columbia river systems onto the logging trucks to one of the oldest finishing mills to the kiln to the store. Check out the new website StussyVancouver.com for some pictures and the complete story.

http://stussy.com/october_feature_stuvan1.html


some cool pics at the link ;)

[officedweller]

From BIV today:

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 12:07:01 PM

Great [sic: Real] Canadian Superstore first to open 24 hours a day during Christmas season

Great [sic: Real] Canadian Superstores across Western Canada will again be opening 24 hours a day in December during the lead-up to Christmas.

Stores will stay open around the clock from December 5 to December 23. In addition, most Extra Food stores will extend their hours to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Superstore, which is owned by Brampton, Ontario-based Loblaws, is the first out of the gate to announce its 24-hour shopping hours.

The move aims to take advantage of retailing research suggesting consumers will be more cost-conscious about their purchases this Christmas season.

Last year, Wal-Mart and Zellers also opened their stores around the clock leading up to the Christmas season.

[SpongeG]

ah they did that last year but not for the whole month

was handy

[entheosfog]

SCION is coming to Canada - Apparently only Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal will get the showrooms...

I wonder where they could put on in Vancouver?

Finally! Not sure why they didn't come here sooner. Too bad the Xb has been redesigned, I thought the boxier version looked waaaay better....

[SpongeG]

the nissan cube is coming spring 2009!

http://www.nissan.ca/vehicles/ms/cube/en/

http://www.macaroondesign.com/images/nissan-cube034.jpg

[jlousa]

Here's your chance to let the city know what you feel about their serving hours. The nimby's will be out, so if you want the extended hours make sure you attend and voice your opinions.


Open House
Hours of Liquor Service in Licensed Restaurants
Proposed policies for extended hours of liquor service in restaurants city-wide will be presented at a City of Vancouver open house to be held on:

Tuesday, November 25, 4:30 ­ 7:30 pm
YWCA Hotel, Canfor and Royal Bank Rooms
733 Beatty Street, Vancouver

The City invites you to review and comment on the proposed policies. A short presentation will be made at 6 pm. Staff will be on hand to answer questions.

[LeftCoaster]

Another Apple store coming to Vancouver, this one's in Oakridge.

[SpongeG]

nice

i wish oakridge would start its expansion already

[mr.x]

Comes quite nicely in hand with the Canada Line, good times coming for the mall.

[deasine]

Another Apple store coming to Vancouver, this one's in Oakridge.

Great place to open at. Oakridge is on of my favorite malls - just love the atmosphere and charm of Oakridge= P

[officedweller]

So an advertisiment in the newspaper for the Shangri-La Urban Fare say opening Nov 15th - but I find it odd that the ad says "next to" Shangri-La, rather than "at" Shangri-La, given it's in the same complex.

[SpongeG]

I read elsewhere on the net that Hollister is set to open in January 2009

I can't imagine they would want to open without getting some of the christmas shopping...

anyone hear of an earlier opening?

[mr.x]

Retail icon A&B Sound out of business - quietly

Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, November 14, 2008

Vancouver retail icon A&B Sound declared bankruptcy Nov. 7 - and no one noticed.

The quiet end of what was once Western Canada's largest music retailer had been anticipated since mid-August, when the company closed its landmark Seymour Street store.

At its height, A&B had 21 locations; when it went under, it was down to three.

This is the second time A&B has gone bankrupt in four years.

[punkster1982]

Urban Fare at Shangri-La was open today. Full of people, all decked out for xmas, and had music blaring on speakers I could hear from across the street

[osirisboy]

what??? i thought they opened saturday

[entheosfog]

Retail icon A&B Sound out of business - quietly

Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, November 14, 2008

Vancouver retail icon A&B Sound declared bankruptcy Nov. 7 - and no one noticed.

The quiet end of what was once Western Canada's largest music retailer had been anticipated since mid-August, when the company closed its landmark Seymour Street store.

At its height, A&B had 21 locations; when it went under, it was down to three.

This is the second time A&B has gone bankrupt in four years.

Yeah I just noticed the A&B in Capilano Mall closed down the other day. Too bad cause they had some pretty cheap cds lately...

[hollywoodnorth]

what??? i thought they opened saturday

probably a dry run for friends and family.....

[jlousa]

That correct Urban fare has a family and friends event last night from 6-9pm.
Today is the grand opening.

[Overground]

Ironically I just went by the A&B on Marine Drive and it looked very closed.

Sad.

[hollywoodnorth]

Ironically I just went by the A&B on Marine Drive and it looked very closed.

Sad.

I blame Management. The downtown store and Metrotown and Surrey Central stores where always their busiest ...... but they never moved them to better locations or spent any money on them .... they added new stores in fucked up markets like North Delta and Pitt Meadows.........but never spent anything on their core stores...

walking into the old Seymour store was like walking into the salvation army it was horrible in there..........horrible lineup's to pay........just shit.

good riddance and fuck you a and b sound. :cheers:

[SpongeG]

yeah the music is very loud - we could hear it across the street near the liquor store

also BURBERRY has its sign up along Alberni street

someone go take a pic ;) I tried last night but it was too dark

looks nice

[officedweller]

Urban Behavior has a sign up in the former Kripps Pharamcy on Granville @ Nelson. I thought soneone said that an Earl's would be opening up there?

And as mentioned by others there's a sign up for the ALDO "sale store" in the old Oh My Godard location.
The old ALDO liquidation location has a regular ALDO store hoarding up now.

Burager King finally has a sign up in the window for the Medical Arts Building location. Looks to be coming along.

[wrenegade]

I'm pretty sure Earls abandoned plans for the combined reasons of the current economic disaster/credit crisis + new 2 story Earls in Yaletown.

[phesto]

^Yeah, I would've been surprised had they gone ahead with it at the moment.

The Urban Behaviour lease is probably either short-term or has a demolition clause in it. The redevelopment plans will probably resurface in the next few years - wouldn't be surprised to see the site sell again in the meantime. The granville street improvements will certainly help.

[SpongeG]

urban behaviour is so crappy

but nice to see more retail creep south on granville

[djh]

urban behaviour is so crappy

but nice to see more retail creep south on granville

^And they don't know how to spell BehavioUr, even though they're a Canadian company. Sheesh. :hell:

[officedweller]

Wandered through the Sport Chek at the north end of Pacific Centre yesterday (bottom level of the former atrium) - essentially the narrow mall is home to the shoe department and you snake your way into the store - looks much better in the mall part than it did before with the big blank wall against Holt Renfrew. Apparently Coast Mountain will be moving upstairs (reversing the previous configuration) - the in-store escalators are currently closed during the reno.

[SpongeG]

aww sad - not that I ever went there but the sign was fun

Confirmed: Vancouver's iconic Save-on-Meats is closing


Al Des Lauriers, the 77-year-old man who has owned Save-on-Meats at 43 West Hastings since 1957, has told the Georgia Straight that he plans to close his business next year. Today, Des Lauriers still works six days a week, 12 hours a day, which he claims makes him “semi-retired”.

His announcement follows the September 2008 closure of Vancouver’s last Jackson’s Meats store at 2717 Granville. The Jackson family was in the butcher business for 150 years.

Des Lauriers said he’s closing Save-on-Meats for three reasons. First, he would like to retire. Second, he doesn’t think anyone would be interested in buying the business, just the building. And third, the fresh-grocery business has changed. “It’s been 52 years so it’s about time we packed it up,” he said. “It [food] is changing. The people are different shoppers now than even 10 years ago. Most people want things ready to eat. Hot. Nobody wants to cook. I think pretty soon they’ll be building suites and apartments with no stoves in them. They’re not going to need them.”

Des Lauriers took a short break to chuckle. heh heh.

“There’s really no story. What do you do? You just close it,” he conituned. “There’s really nothing much to say about this place, although I knew I was going to buy this place and put a meat market in when I was only 12. It was long before it was a meat market. My best friend, his father had a meat market in New Westminster and we used to clean the store and help with chores. And his father would give us a few coins and we’d jump on the old trolley bus that used to travel down to the corner of Carrall and Hastings, and there was a lot of theatres along here at that time. There were a lot of vaudevilles and all that. People like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, people of that stature at that time. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them; they were like teenagers at that time. And walking along the street here, we’d go walking up and down Hastings looking for a movie to go to. And I saw this sign turning and I saw the building [which was then called Jones Tent and Awning]. And I said to my friend Ronnie, ‘One day, I’m going to buy that building and I’m going to put a meat store in it just like your dad’s’.”

When Des Lauriers was 25, he did.

“When we first had the shop, we were ahead of ourselves. We put in a bakery, but it didn’t work because everyone was baking their own buns and bread and things at home. So we put in the coffee shop in about 1960 [now rumoured to have the best cheeseburgers in Vancouver and frequented by the VPD]. We’ve had many, many people find their wives and husbands here and they had children and their children came back and worked here. And their children are looking on working here. We had 75 people in the meat department. We had 25 meat cutters and 50 clerks. So a lot of people went through here. At one time, we had a chain that was called Rob Roy Meats. We had 10 stores. There’s a lot of stuff to talk about. But we’re closing. What’s there to talk about?”

The store’s neon sign featuring two plump, pink pigs and a twirling “Save-On” logo is already part of a photo documentary project.

“I’d like to donate it [the sign] to someone,” he said.

http://www.straight.com/article-170703/confirmed-iconic-saveonmeats-closing

[entheosfog]

aww sad - not that I ever went there but the sign was fun

Confirmed: Vancouver's iconic Save-on-Meats is closing


Al Des Lauriers, the 77-year-old man who has owned Save-on-Meats at 43 West Hastings since 1957, has told the Georgia Straight that he plans to close his business next year. Today, Des Lauriers still works six days a week, 12 hours a day, which he claims makes him “semi-retired”.

His announcement follows the September 2008 closure of Vancouver’s last Jackson’s Meats store at 2717 Granville. The Jackson family was in the butcher business for 150 years.

Des Lauriers said he’s closing Save-on-Meats for three reasons. First, he would like to retire. Second, he doesn’t think anyone would be interested in buying the business, just the building. And third, the fresh-grocery business has changed. “It’s been 52 years so it’s about time we packed it up,” he said. “It [food] is changing. The people are different shoppers now than even 10 years ago. Most people want things ready to eat. Hot. Nobody wants to cook. I think pretty soon they’ll be building suites and apartments with no stoves in them. They’re not going to need them.”

Des Lauriers took a short break to chuckle. heh heh.

“There’s really no story. What do you do? You just close it,” he conituned. “There’s really nothing much to say about this place, although I knew I was going to buy this place and put a meat market in when I was only 12. It was long before it was a meat market. My best friend, his father had a meat market in New Westminster and we used to clean the store and help with chores. And his father would give us a few coins and we’d jump on the old trolley bus that used to travel down to the corner of Carrall and Hastings, and there was a lot of theatres along here at that time. There were a lot of vaudevilles and all that. People like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, people of that stature at that time. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them; they were like teenagers at that time. And walking along the street here, we’d go walking up and down Hastings looking for a movie to go to. And I saw this sign turning and I saw the building [which was then called Jones Tent and Awning]. And I said to my friend Ronnie, ‘One day, I’m going to buy that building and I’m going to put a meat store in it just like your dad’s’.”

When Des Lauriers was 25, he did.

“When we first had the shop, we were ahead of ourselves. We put in a bakery, but it didn’t work because everyone was baking their own buns and bread and things at home. So we put in the coffee shop in about 1960 [now rumoured to have the best cheeseburgers in Vancouver and frequented by the VPD]. We’ve had many, many people find their wives and husbands here and they had children and their children came back and worked here. And their children are looking on working here. We had 75 people in the meat department. We had 25 meat cutters and 50 clerks. So a lot of people went through here. At one time, we had a chain that was called Rob Roy Meats. We had 10 stores. There’s a lot of stuff to talk about. But we’re closing. What’s there to talk about?”

The store’s neon sign featuring two plump, pink pigs and a twirling “Save-On” logo is already part of a photo documentary project.

“I’d like to donate it [the sign] to someone,” he said.

http://www.straight.com/article-170703/confirmed-iconic-saveonmeats-closing

That's too bad. They're burgers are really quite good and substantial. I'll hafta get one again before it's gone. I hope the sign gets put to good use somewhere. That's one of my favourite signs in Vancouver.

[entheosfog]

Looks like the Tim Hortons on Commercial is FINALLY seeing some action inside with a lot of progress being made. It's been sitting idle for a very long time with that 'Opening Soon' sign in the window.

[raggedy13]

That's too bad. I hope the sign gets put to good use somewhere. That's one of my favourite signs in Vancouver.

I fully agree.

It's funny, I was just talking to my brother today about Save-On-Meats and he said how he thought it could become thee place to get meat once that area begins to gentrify with the completion of Woodward's. I thought it would be kind of nice if it could've stayed around long enough to be revived to become the hip retro neighbourhood butcher shop.

[officedweller]

Malcolm Parry confirms today in his article that the old London Drugs will become a Marketplace IGA (well, a supermarket owned by HY Louie Co.).

[djh]

Just received in the post the Notice of Rezoning Application for the development across the road from Crossroads. Yes, it's an 8 storey mixed-use commercial development, with Retail on 1st and 2nd storeys and Office on 3rd - 8th storeys. 201 underground parking spaces. Access via the lane. FSR will go from 3.3 to 5.04. Studio One Architects. The open house is on December 3rd.

From the map it appears that the site is 2 lots in from the western end of the block (i.e., the lots to the east of what was Cafe Duma) and is 4 lots wide. This puts it pretty much opposite Sportmart and part of the Crossroads residential tower. Those lots are currently fully-leased buildings, and IIRC it covers at least 2 different buildings, so perhaps the developer assembled a few properties for this development. Obviously this is becoming the new office growth area in the CBD, considering how near it is to downtown yet not quite that expensive, but will also have a new rapid transit line less than a block away.

[LeftCoaster]

And there is even more to come for that area ;)

[osirisboy]

^^so would that mean that the north east corner of cambie and broadway where that wendys is now will be developed in the near future?

[phesto]

Just checked out Studio One Architects: http://www.studioonearchitecture.ca/. Seems like their stuff is kind of hit or miss.

[officedweller]

Studio One does the work for Bonnis Properties on Granville - their small retail buildings look good - Puma, Urban Outfitters, etc. I think the Future Shop building was screwed up by the City because they wanted the bulk reduced.

[cjohnny4]

I walked through the new lower-level part of Sport Chek in Pacific Centre today...smells VERY new. There were about 10 employees wandering around in there and every single one of them greeted me with an enthusiastic "HELLO!" I felt like I was the king of the world! They, however, probably thought I was an undercover shopper from Sport Check headquarters...

Wandered through the Sport Chek at the north end of Pacific Centre yesterday (bottom level of the former atrium) - essentially the narrow mall is home to the shoe department and you snake your way into the store - looks much better in the mall part than it did before with the big blank wall against Holt Renfrew. Apparently Coast Mountain will be moving upstairs (reversing the previous configuration) - the in-store escalators are currently closed during the reno.