The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Metro-One]

Yeah, I saw that the other day as well, love it! Hopefully the renovation of Sears at least picks up on the theme of having vertical signage along Granville...

[Built Form]

Shifeon moved to their new store today next to CB2 on Robson

I was wrong, the Dollar Store opened last saturday.




The new McDonalds at Hamilton and Robson is putting in a patio.




The current state of Micheals on Alberni.






Concord Pacific is renovating the former entrance to 1080 Alberni. More than likely a new presentation centre but for what development?




The new build next to the Roxy on the 900 block of Granville is finished. The upper 2 floors are office space, approx. 4800 square foot floor plates.




The new look Blenz at Robson and Bute.


all pix by Built Form

[officedweller]

Thanks!
The McDonalds at TV Towers should have a lighted golden arches above the awning - but I doubt it will.

That new bnuilding on Granville looks better than the render suggested. The detailing above the windows looks nice.

[McPaul]

Is it me, or is that store entirely too much for a michaels?

Looks too big, too fancy, and too "downtown". Can they stay in business with those rents?

[whatnext]

From today's Globe & Mail yet another article on the problems besetting Robson Street:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4382693/

[osirisboy]

Lol I'm getting tired of these articles. I don't really see any problems with Dobson. They keep citing high vacancy but of the stores that have closed up recently few had anything to do with robson street specifically

[agrant]

For you boozers that are interested, there will in fact be a BC Liquor store moving into Pinnacle on Broadway. I noticed signs on the north west corner retail space. I'm guessing the old one behind is a matter of weeks away from closing and being torn down. Sort of odd to have that outdoor patio space right next to it.

[Darren Tate]

I avoid Robson because it's crowded and there's nothing special there. Most of these shops can be found in the mall—and there's more room to walk. The Robson Street shopping experience is stale and spectacularly overrated, so I'm really glad to see some fresh new stores moving in. CB2 a most welcome addition because it's entirely new to Vancouver and it's NOT a clothing store. Robson will likely always be a chain store strip, but the stores there have to be one-of-a-kind in the city to keep people coming. In the article, there was mention of a European shoe retailer opening up in the old Guess space. Could it be Camper? I can't believe the Levis store is still hanging on. Who shops there? You can get Levis for cheaper practically anywhere else.

[memememe76]

If Robson is, in fact, so crowded (I love the Globe comments--it's those darn bike lanes!), then isn't that a good thing? Besides, it's not like people have the sidewalks to themselves when strolling along Main, Commercial or 4th Avenue.

I do think Robson still has a special thrill for a segment of the population (i.e. suburban kids) but I don't buy that, say, hipsters ever loved Robson Street.

Maybe one difference is that now, a larger stretch of Robson Street is being filled with interesting shops and restaurants. It's not as intensely situated as it once was (where once upon a time, after you hit Bute, nothing of note occurred until you hit Denman).

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Darren Tate

I avoid Robson because it's crowded and there's nothing special there. Most of these shops can be found in the mall—and there's more room to walk. The Robson Street shopping experience is stale and spectacularly overrated, so I'm really glad to see some fresh new stores moving in. CB2 a most welcome addition because it's entirely new to Vancouver and it's NOT a clothing store. Robson will likely always be a chain store strip, but the stores there have to be one-of-a-kind in the city to keep people coming. In the article, there was mention of a European shoe retailer opening up in the old Guess space. Could it be Camper? I can't believe the Levis store is still hanging on. Who shops there? You can get Levis for cheaper practically anywhere else.

omg camper i would die

edmonton is getting canada's first camper store...

the levis store is up for lease - its days are numbered, its not too bad for levis stuff but its so privey compared to sears just down the street for the same stuff for the most part

[Joseph K.]

Camper sounds like a pretty solid guess... They are currently hiring for a Store Manager as well as Sales Associates "in our new Store opening in Vancouver ".

Hopefully SpongeG will live to see it!

http://camper.cvtools.com/persona/Of...2&idofe=116240

[incognism]

I'm rarely one to advocate removing road capacity, but the Robson Street experience would benefit greatly from closing off the street to vehicle traffic, from say...Howe to Bute. Replace the sidewalks and roads with granite slab, maybe put some trees and benches in the middle.

I'm distinctly picturing something similar to Frankfurt's Zeil:


Source: http://www.travelvivi.com/top-10-sho...es-in-germany/

[SpongeG]

i think alberni would be better than robson for that, robson needs the cars. Alberni has a lotof cafes/eating places that could spill/overflow into the street and make it more interesting to people

[vancityrox]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

omg camper i would die

edmonton is getting canada's first camper store...

the levis store is up for lease - its days are numbered, its not too bad for levis stuff but its so privey compared to sears just down the street for the same stuff for the most part

Actually Montreal is the first and we already have the store up and running on St. Catherines for a few months now. Still haven't checked it out yet though. Looks nice!

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i think alberni would be better than robson for that, robson needs the cars. Alberni has a lotof cafes/eating places that could spill/overflow into the street and make it more interesting to people

I agree, the slow stream of traffic actually adds a lot of movement / atmosphere on Robson street, especially on the slower week days.

Also for Robson itself the best part of the entire stretch is from the Empire Landmark hotel to Denman, because this is the only stretch that is still dominantly unique stores and restaurants (not all chains) with good food and snacks! Not to mention having among the best Japanese (true Japanese, not Korean or Chinese run) and Korean restaurants.

[connect2source]

I've believed for the past few years that Robson is in a slow and steady decline. We're are a far more innovative and evolved city than we were in the 80's, we have Gastown, Main Street, South Granville all with far more appealing and sophisticated shops and spaces. Robson lacks any historic or landmark buildings, most spaces are small and suited to 80's format stores, the street lacks soul and visual appeal and the city failed to improve sidewalks, street furniture and lighting over the years.

It's far too late now as people are aware of the decline and those who used to frequent Robson are addicted to other areas. Once you're 'out' there little hope of returning to glory but we Vancouverites should 'get over' our Robson nostalgia and frequent all the great businesses and areas that have sprung up since. We've reached a critical tipping point and it may be far too late for Robson especially with the impending vacant Sears building to add to the woes.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by connect2source

It's far too late now as people are aware of the decline and those who used to frequent Robson are addicted to other areas. Once you're 'out' there little hope of returning to glory...We've reached a critical tipping point...

Nonsense.

There is no such thing as an irreversible "tipping point" in such matters. Robson merchants, landlords and the business improvement society could respond to the current challenges by redeveloping, evolving, innovating, improving, while the city could give the sidewalks and lighting a much needed refurbishment, similar to what was done recently on Granville. Moreover, as the latest vacancies put downward pressure on rents, new, more independent, innovative blood can flow in.

What is now stale can become fresh again.

As you said:

Originally Posted by connect2source

most spaces are small and suited to 80's format stores, the street lacks soul and visual appeal and the city failed to improve sidewalks, street furniture and lighting over the years.

All those things can be changed.

[Pinion]

I'd love to see a major make-over (pedestrian only with an clear glass rain cover a la Seattle Convention Center) but how do you do that with so many different owners plus a city that claims to have no money?

The only advantage Robson has going for it is sunlight on the north sidewalk/half of street. Otherwise it's just redundant at this stage.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i think alberni would be better than robson for that, robson needs the cars. Alberni has a lotof cafes/eating places that could spill/overflow into the street and make it more interesting to people

Agreed. Right on.

[wrenegade]

You can't close Alberni to cars. There are 3 parkades with access off of Alberni on the Burrard to Thurlow block alone. Most, if not all of the loading for Robson Street is done via the lane so you would be able to close the street to traffic (or close it during certain hours apart from transit like Granville Street). A couple of the older buildings they don't have setbacks to match the newer ones really need to go though (like Cafe Crepe). That would go a long way to help the sidewalk issue before a more drastic measure like removing traffic.