Small Business

Donut

Apr 8, 2026

•

7 min read

Mount Pleasant’s newest donut shop, Cream Pony, is officially off to the races

Cream Pony, a new donut and Southern fried chicken shop, has officially opened its doors in Mount Pleasant. The neighbourhood is taking notice.

Maddi Dellplain, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Vancity Lookout

Grocery Store

"This keeps them alive": Locals fight to preserve Sunrise Market

Mar 25, 2026

•

6 min read

"This keeps them alive": Locals fight to preserve Sunrise Market

Community members and customers from Sunrise Market joined a community meeting to speak out about the need for the local community grocer in the neighbourhood

Dustin Godfrey

Mount Pleasant

Mar 11, 2026

•

9 min read

40 years later, the Mount Pleasant clock still marks a neighbourhood in flux

The corner of Kingsway and Main is under strain. How will it look in the coming years?

Stephen Smysnuik

Small Business

Vancouver’s revamped patio program offers relief for restaurants ahead of FIFA World Cup crowds

Mar 9, 2026

•

6 min read

Vancouver’s revamped patio program offers relief for restaurants ahead of FIFA World Cup crowds

Vancouver is lowering patio fees and simplifying permits just as restaurants brace for another challenging season. With rising costs, staff shortages and the approaching 2026 FIFA World Cup, the changes could give local eateries a small but timely boost.

Julie Chadwick

Small Business

Amidst a changing Chinatown, Serena Chu is building art, community and a bridge to what comes next

Mar 4, 2026

•

5 min read

Amidst a changing Chinatown, Serena Chu is building art, community and a bridge to what comes next

For the first story in our Vancouver Profile series, where we chat with interesting people in Vancouver communities who may not get the normal headlines or coverage, we head over to Chinatown

Julie Chadwick

Food Security

Ovaltine Cafe partners with non-profits to feed community members

Feb 27, 2026

•

7 min read

Ovaltine Cafe partners with non-profits to feed community members

The restaurant, which also serves as a community hub, provided free meals for nearly 100 neighbours at an inaugural dinner event.

Maddi Dellplain, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Vancity Lookout

City Hall

Behind the scenes of the city’s new permitting pilot

Feb 13, 2026

•

7 min read

Behind the scenes of the city’s new permitting pilot

The new temporary occupancy program could be a boon for artists and new businesses who are often saddled with major building upgrades when moving into a new building.

Nate Lewis

Mount Pleasant

As a block of Broadway closes for four months, nearby businesses ask for help

Jan 28, 2026

•

9 min read

As a block of Broadway closes for four months, nearby businesses ask for help

There are no guarantees or timeline for support after a meeting between the province and businesses this week. While many shops are struggling, we spoke to one owner who's doing well and is excited for the train to arrive.

Nate Lewis

Mount Pleasant

Meet the new non-profit helping Vancouver businesses

Jan 14, 2026

•

5 min read

Meet the new non-profit helping Vancouver businesses

Small Business Vancouver aims to help small businesses and entrepreneurs navigate the city’s complex licensing and permit requirements.

Nate Lewis

Gastown

Don’t call it a pop-up: Dual usage gives Vancouver bar and restaurant owners a leg up

Sep 29, 2025

•

7 min read

Don’t call it a pop-up: Dual usage gives Vancouver bar and restaurant owners a leg up

Owners are getting creative when it comes how to use their spaces. And that's only a good thing for locals.

Sara Harowitz

Insider

How Vancouver small businesses are navigating redevelopment

Jan 9, 2025

•

8 min read

How Vancouver small businesses are navigating redevelopment

Small businesses are having to navigate expensive leases, quickly changing zoning and redevelopment that favours certain types of commercial businesses

Nate Lewis

Small Business

Independent grocers series: What are triple-net-leases and why do they matter?

Dec 9, 2024

•

16 min read

Independent grocers series: What are triple-net-leases and why do they matter?

We take a deeper dive into one of the issues raised by our story on the challenges facing independent grocers. And unsurprisingly, it has to do with property prices

Geoff Sharpe

Insider

“Greed is just killing everybody”: Why Vancouver’s independent grocers are struggling while big grocers profit

Dec 7, 2024

•

18 min read

“Greed is just killing everybody”: Why Vancouver’s independent grocers are struggling while big grocers profit

Housing prices and inflation are only one side of the story. Something may need to change if independent grocers are to survive.

Dustin Godfrey

Small Business

Mount Pleasant’s newest donut shop, Cream Pony, is officially off to the races

"This keeps them alive": Locals fight to preserve Sunrise Market

40 years later, the Mount Pleasant clock still marks a neighbourhood in flux

Vancouver’s revamped patio program offers relief for restaurants ahead of FIFA World Cup crowds

Amidst a changing Chinatown, Serena Chu is building art, community and a bridge to what comes next

Ovaltine Cafe partners with non-profits to feed community members

Behind the scenes of the city’s new permitting pilot

As a block of Broadway closes for four months, nearby businesses ask for help

Meet the new non-profit helping Vancouver businesses

Don’t call it a pop-up: Dual usage gives Vancouver bar and restaurant owners a leg up

How Vancouver small businesses are navigating redevelopment

Independent grocers series: What are triple-net-leases and why do they matter?

“Greed is just killing everybody”: Why Vancouver’s independent grocers are struggling while big grocers profit

About

Account

Get in Touch