105 year-old Arbutus Coffee Building to be honored this weekend with Plaque & Party

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Vancouver’s ever-evolving landscape sometimes gives the illusion of a lack of history. The Places That Matter Plaque Project is trying to change that.

Launched in 2011 in celebration of the city’s 125th anniversary, the Places That Matter Plaque Project commemorates and spotlights the people, places and events that have shaped our city. Voted for online and by a site selection committee, each site is presented with a plaque during a community-based celebration.

This Sunday, August 19,  Arbutus Coffee at West 6th & Arbutus will  receive a plaque.

The former Arbutus Grocery is the focus of Kits’ historic Delamont Park neighbourhood. In the 1960s, the city bought it, and houses on 5th and 6th, for demolition along the proposed route of the Burrard-Arbutus Connector (an arterial roadway planned for the old interurban right-of-way that did not proceed). A simple gabled wooden building with a square “boomtown front” the grocery store was built in 1907 by Thomas Frazer, who had lived next door since 1901.

Events organizers are planning a 1950s theme party with food, music and fun for all from noon to 6pm with a plaque ceremony at 4pm. Historians, a City Councillor, and an architect will be on hand to speak to the history of the Delamont neighbourhood and its future.

Photo: Duncan Rawlinson

Last modified: August 17, 2012

One Response to " 105 year-old Arbutus Coffee Building to be honored this weekend with Plaque & Party "

  1. c.f. says:

    i love this so much – but it drives me insane that honoured was spelled the American way. C’mon,….. really????