.
Walking (or in my case, scootering) on the Drive in this fine sunshine is a wonderful experience. The sidewalks are busy, cafes are full to over-flowing, and most people seem happy. There are not a great many changes this month and the Drive seems to be settled into its post-pandemic recovery. We are at the lowest storefront vacancy rate since February 2020 with several vacancies looking like they will soon be filled.
One of the big changes is the definite closing of Dollar Grocer at 2210 Commercial. The word on the street is that new building owners tried to raise the rent from $6000/month to $14,000. I also heard that the family who runs the grocery offered to take half the space, but that was rejected. I noticed that significant renovation work is already happening inside the store, which augurs well, I guess.
Tangent Cafe at 2095 Commercial has a new blue paint job on the exterior.
As suggested last month, 2057 Commercial has indeed become a MacDonalds Realty office.
Kishimoto at 2054 Commercial is rated as one of the finest Japanese restaurants in the city here.
The storefront at 1670 Commercial (the former Drive Coffee) seems to be in the process of renovation. It has been closed for a long time now and it would be good to see that space active again.
Long-time Drive fixture, Sake Maki at 1414 Commercial, is closing at the end of June in advance of their move to Fraser Street.
1108 Commercial — where the late-lamented Tamam To Go used to be — is going to open as a Hem 377 branch (their original is on Victoria Drive). “In addition to its unique beverages (think ube lattes, pina colada coffees, and pandan milk tea), Hem 377 serves some savoury snacks, including deconstructed Banh Mi bowls and a buttery corn dish with crispy shrimp.”
Another large vacant space, the storefront at 1027 (formerly Spank), now sports “LEASED” signs. No idea yet what is going in there.
The always popular Down Low Chicken Shack at 905 Commercial is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a new menu.
Vacancies on the Drive this month:
2210 Commercial, 2105 Commercial, 2058 Commercial, 1733 Commercial, 1670 Commercial, 1428 Commercial, 1340 Commercial, 1230 Commercial, 1108 Commercial, 1027 Commercial.
Previous editions of Changes on the Drive
Jak's View of Vancouver v.3 