It was another muggy day for the walk yesterday; they had promised me sunshine, but heavy cloud was the best we got.
I noticed that Donald’s at 2279 Commercial is now City Avenue Market.
The former Pain Management Clinic cannabis dispensary at 2137 Commercial is still closed, but will soon be another dispensary called the Hatching Room.
1875 Commercial is currently home to a pop-up store called Velveteen Vintage.
The recently opened Indian restaurant called Zazie at 1859 Commercial has morphed into the Delhi Fusion. Not sure if this is just a change of name or owners, too.
Last month I was loathe to call Falconetti’s closed at 1812-14 Commercial. However, I understand the building was sold and they are definitely closed. There are two storefronts there and I wonder if it will get two tenants or just the one again.
LaLa’s at 1748 Commercial is closed which is a great shame.
The flowershop Studio Full Bloom has taken over the space at 1319 Commercial. They also have space at 831 Commercial so I am unsure if the new outlet is permanent or pop-up. Glad to see them in a more prominent location though (It was hard to get a good image as they were filming next door).
Unlike the rest of my blog, I try hard to keep politics out of this section. Therefore, I will merely point out, as a change on the Drive and without comment, that a few tents have shown up on Grandview Park.
At 1012 Commercial — former site of the much loved Skylight Restaurant — the new Mogu Fried Chicken place opens today. There is an excellent piece in Scout Magazine about how this has been created as a bricks-and-mortar store after four years as a popular food truck. Image is from Scout.
Following up on a note from last month, both Renzo’s at 1301 and Penelope’s at 1009 Commercial are still closed.
Vacancies on the Drive this month:
2277 Commercial (vacant 14 months), 2223 (18 months), 2137 (7 months), 2111 (4 months), 1816 (4 months), 1814 (1 month), 1812 (1 month), 1752 (7 months), 1748 (1 month), 1740 (13 months), 1728 (5 months), 1608 (8 months), 1433 (2 months), 1314 (3 months), 1305 (5 months), 1303 (11 months), 1012 (11 months), 1003 (6 months), 935 (7 months), 931 (2 months).
We have reached a new high in storefront vacancies. There are three or four stores being readied for opening at some point in the future, but the trend is not good.
Previous Changes On The Drive editions.
Jak's View of Vancouver v.3 
Harbour Oyster guys have taken over Falconetti’s. Stay tuned.
The only Donald’s by name is the original one on Hastings at Nanaimo.
The three other ex-Donalds, in Port Coquitlam (Shaughnessy Street) Vancouver (Commercial Drive) and New Westminster (City Market) have changed their names.
It seems to be a family dispute, but that is unclear.
City Market bought full-page adverts in the suburban papers in July about the name changes.
See the “news story” in, for example, the New Westminster Record.
https://www.newwestrecord.ca/business/local-independent-grocery-chain-rebrands-with-new-look-and-same-great-quality-1.24174982
““We have a new name, but the same team you know and love continues to serve your community,” says Gary Joe, director of City Avenue Market. “We continue to provide the same commitment, service, and quality which you have come to expect from us.”
City Avenue Market is an independently owned and operated neighbourhood market serving its local communities. Because of its strong connection to the community, City Avenue Market opted to stay open to continue to serve its customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.” etc etc