Why the Donnelly Group is filing for credit protection

Good morning,

Big news — The New York Times wrote about Vancouver!

To be clear, that was sarcasm. But it’s always surprising to see the intense reaction of Canadians to any American or international news coverage of us. Do we crave, or are we deprived, of international attention that much? And are the recommendations really that insightful?

Case in point are the food recommendations. Is it really unique to tell visitors to check out Published or St. Lawrence, two of the most popular spots in the city, both with Michelin stars?

Maybe I’m being too critical. I’d love to hear what you think. Let me know by replying!

In today’s edition, we’ve got:

• Trouble in Donnelly land 👎

• What’s going on with Kitsilano and housing? ❌

• And the tastiest food and fun events to check out this weekend 🍽

Onwards!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer

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WEATHER

Friday: 25 🌡️ 14 | ☀️

Saturday: 21 🌡️ 12 | 🌤

Sunday: 21 🌡️ 12 | 🌤

Monday: 21 🌡️ 11 | 🌤

BUSINESS

Down goes Donnelly

If you grew up in Vancouver into your 20s, chances are you’ve been to a Donnelly-owned pub. They were an institution in the city. But now, the company has filed for creditor protection, according to CBC.

What happened: Framed as more a reconstruction than destruction, the Donnelly Group which owns such bars at Lamplighter, Bomber Brewing and other spots around town, cited issues plaguing the entire restaurant industry for the restructuring. These include labour shortages and inflation, as well as payments on bank loans.

What they own: Alongside the two listed above, the group owns eleven spots in Vancouver, including Sing Sing, Hundy, Stock Room, Clough Club, Brass Fish, Butcher & Bullock and Ballyhoo.

What it means: Not much will change in the short term, as the company said they plan to operate as normal while the restructuring process happens over the next few months, according to CityNews.

Zoom out: At one time the company was also involved in the cannabis industry under the Dutch Love brand, but filed for creditor protection in 2022, due to COVID lockdowns, according to Business in Vancouver.

VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS

🍎 $1,263: The average monthly cost for a B.C. family in 2022 to eat a nutritious diet. [Vancouver is Awesome]

🏠 54%: The number of investors who say they plan to buy another property in Vancouver. Lovely. [Vancouver Sun]

⛽ $2.50: The price of gas at this time last year. Currently, gas prices are hovering just below $2 per litre. [CTV]

🚲 $350 to $1,400: The rebate for purchasing an e-bike in B.C. This is dependent on your individual income, with anyone making over $51,131 receiving $350. [Daily Hive]

HOUSING

What is going on with Kitsilano

Everyone’s favourite spot to visit has increasingly become the face of opposition to any housing development in Vancouver.

What’s happening: Yesterday the Kitsilano Coalition, a group opposed to the supportive housing development Arbutus project, announced they plan to take the B.C. government to court over Bill 26, according to Vancouver Sun reporter Katie DeRosa.

B.C.’s Housing Minister was quick to respond to the announcement.

• Reading between the lines: Don’t expect the government to back down. This is a fight they clearly want, and believe they have public backing on.

The bill forced through the approval of the development and circumvented the existing court challenge the group had previously launched.

The timeline: CBC reporter Justin McElroy summed it well in his tweet.

Oh yes, there’s more: Back in October, the Kits Point Residents Association — a different group than the Kitsilano Coalition — filed a petition with the B.C. Supreme Court, asking the court to “declare that the city didn't give residents a fair chance to offer feedback or express concerns around the development,” according to CBC.

• The Sen̓áḵw development is unique in that the land is owned by the Squamish Nation, and therefore outside of the normal city zoning process. It’s one reason the project is so large, consisting of 11 towers with 6,000 rental homes, according to CBC.

What it means: Kitsilano is just a more vocal example of housing dynamics in Vancouver where residents tend to oppose any new development, either new apartments or supportive housing, in their neighbourhoods.

• Yes, but: Residents say these projects don’t provide enough consultation. In the case of Sen̓áḵw, residents say they aren’t opposed to the development, but are concerned about the size and density.

Zoom out: No one wants to be against more housing. But actions by groups like this, such as taking developments to court, would indicate they are not as inclined to support it as they might say…

QUOTE

“From an industry perspective, about half of the overall hospitality industry is either losing money or barely breaking even right now. When you hear of any particular place applying for creditor protection or going into bankruptcy proceedings, it's just a sad comment on how difficult it is to run a hospitality business right now.” Jeff Guignard, executive director of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees of B.C. discussing the Donnelly Group’s decision to seek creditor protection. [CBC]

THE AGENDA

🎆 Bad news fireworks fans. Vancouver’s Canada Day fireworks at the Port of Vancouver are scrapped for good. They were cancelled over the last four years due to COVID. But Mayor Ken Sim says he plans to discuss the cancellation with the port. [Global]

🚓 Vancouver police arrested four people and seized a boatload of drugs, guns and $13 million in cash. The arrests and seizures were part of a year-long investigation into organized crime and four people were arrested. [CityNews]

🖥 Organizers are working to unionize 10,000 animation workers in B.C. and across Canada. This includes other workers in the visual effects world. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 938, the union organizing the drive, says they’ve received inquiries from interested workers across Canada. [The Tyee]

🚗 A Chinatown resident died on Wednesday after being struck by a driver at Main and Georgia. [CBC]

⛺ It’s been two years since the CRAB Park encampment was established and it continues to be Vancouver’s only legally allowed encampment after a court ruling in January. [CityNews]

🏢 It turns out concerns about the former BC Housing CEO’s conflict of interest were raised with the BC Housing Board back in 2021, according to a former member. The concerns were previously brought up in staff exit interviews. [The Tyee]

🗳 There’s trouble brewing with our neighbours in Richmond. The city council voted down $5.2 million to spend on a multi-use bikeway that would’ve connected Steveston Highway between Shell Road and No. 2 Road, which is part of TransLink’s Major Bikeway Network which would build 850 km of cycling routes in the region. [CBC]

WEEKEND GUIDE

Food + Drink

Introduction to Bartending | A three-hour interactive class to learn what happens behind the bar with knowledge from experts | Tickets $61.

Calabash May Pop-Up Brunch & Artisan Market | Calabash Bistro | Sunday, 10:30 am | Carribean brunch? Yes, please. Cocktails include and there’s a DJ. | Tickets $35.

All about Gnocchi with Mamma Marzia | Italian Cultural Centre | Sunday, 2 pm | Celebrity chef teaches you how to make three types of gnocchi | Tickets $118.

Movies

Back to the Future Marathon | Rio Theatre | Saturday starting at 6:15 pm | Come see one, two or all three of the movies playing back-to-back | Tickets $11.42.

Music + Art

The Hard Rubber Orchestra with John Hollenbeck | SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts | Saturday, 7:30 pm | Innovative music, a unique fusion of contemporary and jazz, nominated for multiple Grammys | Tickets $18.99

Art Battle Vancouver | The Red Room | Saturday, 6 pm | Artists race to finish their paintings quickly, vote and choose the winners | Tickets $22.

Mt. Pleasent Street At and Mural Tour | 156 W 8th Ave. | Sunday, 11 am | Explore the art scene in the neighbourhood with a free walking tour | Free

Traditional Turkish Ceramic Painting Workshop | 3567 Commercial St. | Saturday, 6 pm | Learn the art of Turkish tile and ceramic making with paint and glaze | Tickets $96

Other

West End Community Clean-up Party and BBQ | Gordon Neighbourhood House | Saturday 9:30 am | Come help clean up the beaches and join in a BBQ at the end | Free to attend.

Stock Exchange Vintage Market by Frankie | 708 Powell St. | Saturday, 11 am | Vintage, reworks and sneakers, along with food and drinks | Tickets $5.

Planted Expo | Vancouver Convention Centre | Saturday and Sunday | Come check out Canada’s largest plant-basd expo, including new products, and learn from experts | Tickets $20.

FOOD NEWS

Reviews

The “sumptuous” designed space at Archer is worth a visit for their brunch menu, with dishes like Smoked Sablefish Benny and Cereal Milk French Toast. [Vancouver Sun]

Favourite vegan restaurant Acorn took number 20 in The 50 Best Vegan Restaurants in the World from Big 7 Travel. And with photos like this, we can’t wait to visit. [Dished]

Openings

Takeaway middle eastern restaurant Haif Room is opening in Vancouver at Georgia and Homer. They specialize in casual Middle Eastern street fare. Think sabich and falafel. [Vancouver is Awesome]

A new wine bar at 2040 Quebec St. called Dear Gus Snack Bar will open this fall. It will feature small plates, approachable wines and an 18-seat space. [Vancouver is Awesome]

If you’re craving something new, this list of eight different restaurants opening in Vancouver is worth looking at. [Curiocity]

News your can use

In a surprise to no one who loves donuts, Vancouver has nine of the top 25 donut shops in Canada. Lee’s, Cartems, Lucky’s Duffins and more made the list. [Vancouver is Awesome]

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The lineup for the Khatsahlano Street Party in Kitsilano on July 8 has been announced, with over 50 food trucks, games, drinks and more. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• If you like farmer’s markets, this helpful guide lists the best ones in the city. [Vancouver Sun]

• Tina Turner died this week, but you can revisit her concerts here in Vancouver. [Vancouver Sun]

• You can snag dirt-cheap flights to Nashville right now, just be sure to bring your cowboy boots. [Daily Hive]

• Did you know Kitsilano had an amazing diving board(s)? Neither did I until I saw this video. [Reddit]

POLL

Wednesday’s poll proved extremely popular, with over 200 people responding! Here’s how it broke down:

• 56 percent were against removing the bike lanes in Stanley Park

• 41 percent were in favour of removing the bike lanes

• 3 percent were unsure

Here’s what some readers had to say:

“I drive through the park regularly and the bike lane has improved my pleasure in driving through this beautiful park. Whenever there is a place to pass the drivers go by very fast and continue to speed until they are slowed by a car going the posted speed of 30 mph. Opening this lane is just going to make it another raceway for those that refuse to go the posted speed limit . I wish they had kept the bike lane in place.”

“The bike lanes were always temporary Advocates interpreted that as license to stay permanently. Bikes are fine, but Vancouver is not Amsterdam!”

HISTORY

Did you know Expo featured a McDonald's barge? I swear it looks like a ship a 90s James Bond villain would own.

GAME TIME

We got quite a few responses to Wednesday’s VancouverGuesser. Congrats to Charlotte, Michael and Kirby who all guessed correctly it was the corner of Broadway and Main, where they’re constructing the new SkyTrain station. A special mention to Tammy who guessed Broadway correctly, but not Granville.

It’s Friday, so that means another Vancouver Wordle. Can you guess this week’s answer?