- Vancity Lookout
- Posts
- What will happen to Nordstrom’s vacated downtown Vancouver location?
What will happen to Nordstrom’s vacated downtown Vancouver location?
Nordstrom’s layoffs, a reimagined seawall and some events for the week
Good morning,
A public service announcement — please stop flushing goldfish down the toilet. They’re growing the size of baseballs and spreading throughout B.C, hurting local wildlife. No word on whether there are any alligators in Vancouver’s sewers.
Today we’ve got a deep dive into the Nordstrom layoffs and what could replace the downtown retail space downtown, a look at the pros and cons of commercializing the seawall and some events for this week.
Let’s go!
— Geoff Sharpe
If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.
WEATHER
Monday: 9 🌡️ 3 | 🌧/❄️
Tuesday: 6 🌡️0 | 🌧/❄️
Wednesday: 8 🌡️ 1 | 🌧/❄️
VANCOUVER NUMBERS
$250 million: The contribution by the provincial government to a new wastewater treatment plant located on Iona Island. It will replace the one built in 1963, and will eventually cost a total of $10.4 billion, serving Vancouver, UBC and parts of Richmond and Burnaby. [Urbanized]
900: The number of trees toppled by the snowstorm that began on Saturday evening. [Vancouver is Awesome]
4: The number of stabbings in 10 hours between Friday night and Saturday morning throughout Vancouver. [CTV]
DEVELOPMENT
What will happen to Nordstrom’s vacated retails space in downtown Vancouver?
What happened: In a surprise announcement last week, Nordstrom said they were closing all their Canadian department stores, according to CBC. In total, there will be 600 job losses at their location in downtown Vancouver and more than 40 in Langley. The company is expected to finish operating in Canada by June.
Nordstrom occupies prime real estate in the Pacific Centre, with 230,000 square feet and three floors. It officially opened in 2015.
By the numbers: There are 2,500 employees in 13 retail stores across the country. The business lost $72 million last year, according to CBC.
Context: The failure of Nordstrom isn’t an isolated incident, but part of a broader trend of department store declines across Canada and the U.S. according to Retail Insider. Downtown stores were hit hard by the COVID pandemic, but online shopping, changing consumer habits, and in the last few decades, the rise in suburban living, made downtown locations less viable. Target had also tried an expansion into Canada that failed.
In the U.S., spending at department stores peaked in Janaury 2001 and has declined ever since according to Experian. Nordstrom joins a long list of department stores, many focused in malls and downtown locations, that have declared bankruptcy, including Sears, JCPenny and Kmart. In fact, Sears operated at that location until 2012, according to Daily Hive.
What’s next: Spirit Halloween?
What’s really next: It’s expected that the property owner Cadillac Fairview will fill the location with another retail store, according to an industry analyst speaking to CityNews. Simons is a big possibility.
In an opinion piece, Urbaized editor Kenneth Chan argues food should be part of the space, with something like Eataly as having great potential. Chan also outlined how the entire space around the area is being radically changed, with new developments and the soon-to-be redesigned Granville Entertainment District.
Further retail issues: How long can companies like Hudson Bay last? Two department stores in Alberta were shuttered in early February, according to CBC.
We may not have Nordstroms, but we’ll always have this spot.
nordstroms can come and go but you know what will always be there for you vancouver?
and has always been there for you?
like a weird fungus impervious to any trends?
or good taste?
or 25 years of not mattering?
tinseltown
— Justin McElroy (@j_mcelroy)
6:55 AM • Mar 3, 2023
NEW JOBS
Find your new dream job in Vancouver:
Principal product specialist at WillowTree
Senior director of retail technology at Arc'teryx Equipment
Director of safety and wellness at BC Public School Employers Association
Director of business intelligence and customer journey at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
General manager of Canada at Lime
LIVEABILITY
Is Vancouver’s seawall boring?
Flickr/Ted McGrath
When you think of Vancouver, one of the first things that pop to mind may be the iconic seawall. Chances are you’ve used it. But how great is it really? And can it be improved? A video by filmmaker and urban planner Uytae Lee that garnered over 140,000 views, is raising questions about how we could improve the seawall, according to the Vancouver Sun.
The argument: Lee breaks down what he sees as potential improvements. He argues that the seawall’s public spaces are boring and uninspiring, have little commercialization, and essentially shuts down in the evening. Contrast that with the Halifax boardwalk with lots of lighting and activity after hours.
Halifax’s boardwalk includes museums, waterfront dining, and shopping, allowing people to explore the entire city. North Vancouver Shipyards District is another such example, with bustling walkways and evening activities.
The causes: NIMBYism is partially to blame, with permits for development taking forever. In fact, historically it was even a miracle the seawall exists, with cycling on the seawall deemed illegal in the 1970s. Widening the seawall was called “idiotic” according to the Vancouver Sun.
The Tyee explores how the seawall impacts the environment and biodiversity. New designs could build better integrating the seawall into the environment, while also maintaining public access.
Counterpoint: The seawall serves as an essential public space in cities where commercialization is increasingly expanding into all facets of life. The seawall also serves as a focal point for the community, encouraging activity, mobility and connection with the environment. Anyone visiting in the summer knows how popular it is. The City estimates 2.5 million people use it annually.
The future: According to the Vancouver Sun, the park board lifted limits on commercial initiatives in Vancouver parks, so change is on the horizon. Climate change is also top of mind. As seawater levels rise, raising the seawall by an average of 2.3 metres in a place like False Creek will cost between $500-$800 million, according to CBC.
THE AGENDA
🏉 Canada’s rugby 7s teams did not compete for medals after failing to advance in the tournament this weekend. The women lost in the quarterfinals to New Zealand, while the men finished in ninth-place, losing their quarterfinal to Spain. [CBC]
🏒 The Canucks had to work extra hard, but they managed the upset win against the Maple Leafs, winning 4-1 on Saturday. [The Province]
🌡️ Bad news Vancouver — more snow is possible this week, including tomorrow. Tuesday will see a high of 6 C followed by 0 C. Localized flurries may also be possible Wednesday as the temperature drops to 0 C. [Castanet]
🏢 The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has submitted a rezoning application to build a 12-storey office tower that would include a new spa, restaurant, ballroom and retail space. [CTV]
📈 A $125 increase to the shelter rate, which is part of the disability assistance payments, is not enough, advocates said. It’s the first increase since 2007 and will be $500 per month. Critics say it doesn’t apply to enough people. [CBC]
🚓 A man was stabbed to death in Killarney. No arrests have been made and the police are investigating. It’s the fifth homicide of the year. [CBC]
🚨 The RCMP is asking for help to find a missing Coquitlam woman. Andrea McIntyre’s vehicle was found abandoned at Argue Street in Port Coquitlam and her family is very concerned about her wellbeing. [Tricity News]
LOCAL BEER RELEASES
Our friends at Beerloop have the latest on the newest brewery releases in the lower mainland. Here are our top five we read
Container has a new version of Cloud Theory, an IPA served on nitro that we loved when we enjoyed the last version. This one was made with Motueaka and Luminous hops.
Dageraad’s second new release is the brewery’s first DIPA in its biotransformed IPA series. New Slang 4 was hopped with Amarillo and Sultana “for an assertive hop profile that balances citrus and tropical fruit with resinous pine.
Parallel 49 has a fun new mix-pack that takes you on a world tour. It includes four different types of Pilsner: American, Australian, Italian, and French. Making its way to liquor stores.
The Camp S’more Stout is back at Camp Beer Co, with loads of sweet chocolate and vanilla bean flavours.
Luppolo’s single-keg Blasfema Smoothie Sour will likely run out by Sunday, so if you love raspberry, strawberry and blackberry flavours, check out the ridiculously enticing colour of this beer.
Don’t miss out on any new releases. Subscribe to their free newsletter instantly.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hillcrest Aquatic Centre pool had one-hour lines on Saturday due to lack of lifeguards. Hopefully, that’s fixed soon. [Reddit]
In 1907, Vancouver experienced an anti-Asian mob. A new book explores the causes and impacts. [The Conversation]
What’s the best bar or pub that specializes in cider? Reddit readers say Cider House at 1602 Yew Avenue comes out on top, with The Boxcar and Provence Marinaside all making the list. [Reddit]
This TikTok video is a blast from the past. It turns out housing has always been really unaffordable! [Tik Tok]
Cherry blossom season is predicted to peak on April 5. Destination Vancouver has a helpful guide to see them in all their peak pink beauty. [Vancouver is Awesome]
VANCOUVER FAVOURITES
Beaucoup Bakery/Instagram
It’s hard to find the best food spots in town. So what better group to ask then you, our readers! This week we want to know - what’s your favourite bakery in Vancouver. We’ll share the results and include suggestions we may have missed!
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Steak at Earls for $6.95? This Vancouver Earls menu from 1984 from user CmonSeaLegs will have you second guessing the cost of Earls’ food.
GAME TIME
Congrats to everyone who guessed Friday’s Wordle, the answer was TAXES.
Here’s one for you closely read newsletter readers. How much is the region’s new wastewater treatment facility expected to cost? Reply with the correct answer and your name and we’ll feature it in the newsletter.
What did you think of today's newsletter? |