The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 50

LotusLand · #**981** Posted **Mar 11, 2009, 5:10 PM**

Looks like H&M is coming to Metrotown for sure, I don't know if this has been mentioned before (I'm too lazy to go back to previous post).

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009...metrotown.html

officedweller · #**982** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 12:11 AM**

New restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim:

Quote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VANCOUVER’S RESTAURANT SCENE SET TO HEAT UP AGAIN WITH
ORU
Fairmont Pacific Rim Partners with Local Architecture and Design Firm mgb for
New Restaurant and Lounge

March 4, 2009 Vancouver, BC - Downtown Vancouver’s newest hotel will boast
more than just breathtaking views. The Fairmont Pacific Rim will also house Oru,
an upscale restaurant capitalizing on Vancouver’s multicultural vibe, with a focus
on traditional dishes from Pacific Rim Countries authentically prepared utilizing
locally sourced and responsibly harvested ingredients. Slated to open in advance
of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Oru’s cuisine,
interiors, and design will be inspired by British Columbia and Asia Pacific.
Award winning Vancouver architecture firm mgb has been tasked with
developing every aspect of the restaurant - from logo and furniture design to the
architecture and interiors. The first design challenge of the new restaurant has
already been solved with the addition of a dedicated entrance off of the new
Canada Place Way, which will lead guests into Oru from street level. This
separate entrance will position Oru as both a hotel restaurant and bar, and a chic
destination for city dwellers.
Once inside, guests will be struck by a number of innovative interior design
elements. A spectacular 180 ft long by 5ft wide light sculpture will run the length
of the restaurant. mgb has already begun collaborating with local origami artist
Joseph Wu to create this stunning visual piece. Another impressive feature will
be the full height wooden wall of 8-inch thick lumber, reclaimed from the hotel
site, which will separate the restaurant’s dining room from the wine tasting room
and private dining room. Both origami and reclaimed wood will play a large part
in Oru’s interior to counterbalance the cuisine with the restaurant’s picturesque
location on Vancouver’s waterfront. The name Oru has no direct translation, but
is derived from the Japanese meaning “to fold.”

Render from Scout Magazine:

http://scoutmagazine.ca/category/blogs/gluttony/

osirisboy · #**983** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 12:15 AM**

well thats good but ugh another asian themed restaurant

SpongeG · #**984** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 12:24 AM**

Mr Mikes is opening up in the old and now converted Canadian Tire on Scott Road

NewfBC · #**985** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 4:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

bread garden was good when it was still owned by that meinhardt lady before she sold it off to CARA but its ok

Godiva has shut down on robson street

there are a few empty store fronts near it now - perhaps someone wants to join them all together and open something bigger?

anyone know anything?

CARA does not own Bread Garden. Bread Garden, Milestones, Boathouse, and some others? used to all be operated by Spectra Group in Vancouver. Milestones was sold to CARA.. not sure who controls the rest now.

Ron.

SpongeG · #**986** Posted **Mar 12, 2009, 6:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewfBC

CARA does not own Bread Garden. Bread Garden, Milestones, Boathouse, and some others? used to all be operated by Spectra Group in Vancouver. Milestones was sold to CARA.. not sure who controls the rest now.

Ron.

I don't know who it owns it now

I think the meinhardt lady sold it off to Cara foods though and they sold it again

after she sold it she opened the gourmet grocery store on granville street bearing her name

jlousa · #**987** Posted **Mar 19, 2009, 4:44 AM**

Not really retail but this felt like the best place to post this anyways.

Staff are recommending that council approve of a new liquor primary at 135 Keefer St. It's nice to see a lot of new places opening up in that area, slowing bringing life back.

The applicant, 0817864 BC Ltd. is proposing to establish a 60 seat Liquor Establishment Class 1 with a 12 seat outdoor patio on city property at this location. The proposed hours of operation for the liquor primary (lounge) are from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. weekdays and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. weekends for the first six months of operation. Extended hours of operation may be considered once the six month trial period has elapsed and no issues/concerns arose during this time period. The extended hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. weekends. The applicant states that the proposed liquor establishment (lounge) is situated in the hub of Chinatown and will cater to the diverse population and business community of Chinatown, Tinseltown, Gastown and Strathcona. The clientele will be roughly 30 years of age and older consisting of a diverse mix of working professionals, local residents and tourists to Vancouver. The applicant hopes to create a relaxing atmosphere with a small venue for occasional local music talent to perform and a location for community events and fundraisers for local causes. Food service will also be available during operating hours which is a requirement under the Provincial Liquor Primary license “Terms and Conditions” guide.
The proposed establishment will be located on the ground floor of a designated and protected heritage building. The unit was previously known as “Silkhaus” and has been vacant for quite some time. Development Permit No. 411880 was issued November 13, 2008 to the applicant for rehabilitation and change of use of this existing Heritage “C” building to retail use on the ground floor, one residential unit on each the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors, and to add an upper floor (5th) with one residential unit. Staff in Heritage Planning have advised that it is unlikely that the change of use from retail to lounge would have a significant impact on existing HRA and incentives approved.

officedweller · #**988** Posted **Mar 20, 2009, 11:12 PM**

Petcetera ...

Quote:

Petcetera intends to file for bankruptcy protection
Richmond-based company offering huge discounts

Richard Dettman VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) | Friday, March 20th, 2009 12:09 pm
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A locally based company that employs 1600 people has fallen victim to the recession and credit crunch.
Richmond-based Petcetera is the largest Canadian owned seller of pet supplies with 49 stores nationwide, however, it is short on cash and low on sales.
The company intends to file bankruptcy protection.
Company owner Dan Urbani hopes the life-saving cash will come from a liquidation sale beginning tomorrow.
Announced discounts of up to 70% are a desperate attempt to raise cash and could mean Petcetera's lenders are unwilling to lend.
Urbani says in light of the recession's impact on the Canadian retail industry we have to take drastic measures in the short term.

SpongeG · #**989** Posted **Mar 21, 2009, 5:47 AM**

i don't know what happenned to the Petcetera in coquitlam - it looks half closed - its either been shut down and changing to something else or renovated

recession or not people still have pets and need pet things - they should be doing better than they are to keep customers - the stores i have visited are awful in the service dept

wrenegade · #**990** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 4:14 PM**

The Petcetera news is not surprising at all. PetSmart kills them.

WarrenC12 · #**991** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 5:21 PM**

Unfortunate news since Petcetera is a local company, but ya, not surprising.

I live in East Van not far from the Petcetera on Grandview and Rupert. That place is depressing inside, sales staff are borderline useless.

Tisol recently opened up nearby, and its fantastic. Petsmart as well, they are ok but prices are a little higher so far.

Vancity · #**992** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

New restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim:

very nice. thanks!

metroXpress · #**993** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 7:01 PM**

New FUTURE SHOP and THE BRICK and INDIGO are opening soon in Grandview Corners...which is in South Surrey

osirisboy · #**994** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 7:31 PM**

wow a new future shop. it seems like years since they opened a new store.

osirisboy · #**995** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 7:35 PM**

regarding the "big" sale at Petcetera. Only the christmas stuff is 70% off. there are very few things like bird cages that are 50% off but everything else is only 20% off. Also they switched their return policy to all sales final, even if you buy something thats defective it doesnt matter.

officedweller · #**996** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 8:21 PM**

Noticed on the Cadillac Fairview website that the old Pacific Centre Fairweather location is marked as Le Chateau. No signage in the mall though.

http://www.cfspace.com/pdf/plans/pclop02_floorplan.pdf

Denscity · #**997** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 9:33 PM**

Yes, they also still mark the existing space as Le Chateau as well. Hmm

SpongeG · #**998** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 10:45 PM**

So they are moving?

or will they keep both spaces?

that street level space is prime - if they move out i wonder what will move in?

vango · #**999** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 10:51 PM**

Apple is advertising job openings at their new Oakridge Mall store. No opening date or location in the mall given.

SpongeG · #**1000** Posted **Mar 23, 2009, 10:56 PM**

there was some stores shutting down near the food court i think