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Owners Of Kitsilano’s Q4 Take Over DB Bistro Space On West Broadway

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Rob

Great news for the Kitsilano food scene. Andrew Morrison of Scout Magazine reported today that Patrick Corsi and Alex Tsakumis of  Q4 (formerly “Quattro on Fourth”) have just picked the lease on the old DB Bistro/Feenie’s and Lumiere spaces at 2551 West Broadway.

These are iconic locations in the pantheon of Vancouver’s restaurant scene. I can’t count on my hands and feet the number of great cooks, servers, sommeliers, bartenders and managers that worked these rooms and kitchens in years gone by. Few other addresses have spawned so many others. Would we have a Boneta, Ensemble, Farina, Tableau, L’Abattoir, Cadeaux, or Cabana without it? Perhaps not. Would the Cactus Club be anywhere near as tolerable as it is today? Definitely not.

According to Morrison the new lease holders are considering turning the space (and its million dollar kitchen) into another Q4 and changing the original on West 4th into something else.

Gandy’s Home Hardware reopens

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Taraneh

The community was up in arms when Gandy’s closed in late June. When we reported it we heard back from a record number of people. Well, here’s some good news: Gandy’s Home Hardware has reopened under the ownership of Jeffrey Ho. Ho also owns Blight’s Home Hardware on Dunbar and 17th, which was founded by Harry Blight in 1946. Ho bought the Dunbar store in 2003 and he has made it a point to carry on the friendly, personal service and advice that was always trademark. He’s bringing the same touch to 2262 West 4th.

The newly-reopened Gandy’s is still getting into the swing of things and requests that customers pay with cash until they’re fully set up. They anticipate being able to accept cards by the end of the week.

I couldn’t be more pleased. There was an urgent need for a toilet plunger in my apartment yesterday, and Safeway was out.

Gandy’s Home Hardware, 2262 West 4th, 604-733-8014

U Life Accessory Store closes

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Taraneh

U Life Accessory, a lovely lifestyle boutique and winner of the Westender‘s Best Gift Store in 2010, officially closed its doors on August 2.

Unlike Gandy’s Home Hardware, this wasn’t a dramatic in-the-red scenario. Owner Unity Whittaker made the decision not to renew the lease for another five years.

According to FASHION, “Whittaker ignited her love affair with one-of-a-kind pieces while backpacking far and wide, collecting unique finds along the way.”

U Life carried a well-curated selection of classy baubles. A steady stream of shoppers did their best over the last couple of weeks to clear out all of U Life’s oddball Sigg water bottles and sparkly Tarina Tarantino jewelry.

Best of luck to you, Unity. I’ll have to find somewhere new to shop for bridal shower gifts.  Now I’m quite curious to see who is interested in this prime real estate at 2028 Vine St.

U Life Store, 2028 Vine St., 604-879-9135

Gandy’s Home Hardware closes pending financial reassessment, surprising the community

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Taraneh

Gandy’s Home Hardware was my first errand the day I moved to Kits. It was also my first welcome to the community. Gandy’s has been on West 4th for 65 years, but as surprised customers found out over the weekend, the store is temporarily closed pending financial reassessment. Unfortunately, the closing may turn out to be permanent.

Gandy’s is “working feverishly” to find alternate means to keep the store open, which means new financing, new investors, new ownership or whatever it takes.

Loyal customers have left notes of support on the door. I, for one, really hope they make it. It’s about more than hardware supplies, it’s about a really great team of people who make the Kits community warm and vibrant.

Stay tuned for more news. If you need to get in touch with them it’s:

Gandy’s Home Hardware, 2262 West 4th Ave., (for suggestions/help/questions) 604-733-8014, (for emergencies 604-767-1372) Gandyshomehardware@shaw.ca

Tomato Fresh Food Cafe closes after 20+ years on West Side

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Andrea

If you are reading this title and think – where the heck is Tomato Fresh Food Café – clearly you weren’t alone.

In early June 2007, after 17 years on Cambie Street the Tomato Fresh Food Café relocated to the heart of Kitsilano nestled just off Broadway at 2486 Bayswater Street.

After 20+ years of business the restaurant has shut their doors. If you pass by the restaurant today you will see a press release on the closed doors stating that despite their larger premises, the cafe didn’t manage to pull in a high number of visitors to sustain them there.

I know I am regularly shopping on that strip of Broadway and frequently would pass this restaurant but for some reason never felt the draw to go in. Maybe the rest of Kits were with me. Curious to see what will happen to the large prime real estate location – sadly I predict a chain or food franchise will likely take its place.

Iconic Hollywood Theatre to close this weekend

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Taraneh

Kitsilano.ca foretold this ending in March and now the Vancouver Sun confirms it. The iconic Hollywood Theatre, a long-loved neighbourhood entertainment venue, has been sold and will close after this weekend.

It’s sad news to be sure. We’re going to miss the graceful, art deco building and budget double billings.  But manager Vince Fairleigh, whose family has owned the movie theatre ever since its 1935 opening, plans to go out in style. This weekend he’s showing Italian Oscar winner Cinema Paradiso, which he relates to, because it’s basically his life story. For the full weekend movie roster, visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

Cinema Paradiso, 7:30 pm Friday, May 27 thru Sunday, May 29.

Hollywood Theatre, 3123 West Broadway, Hollywoodtheatre.ca

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