Granville Island Market

[nwyles]

Um, annanstee , the name is Neil.

I try not to hide it.

Noah is Mooshmouse's ( or Mooshmice's ) kid - eater all of things cookie.

                             

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Dear Lord,

Forgive me Neil.

I actually know a Noah Wyles, hence the auto error. Sorry

Ann

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That's ok, if you have read this board for awhile, sometimes my own guests call me Ian.

Cheers

Neil

[butter]

Just read in the Westender "the federal CMHC (owners of the sandbar slab since 1972) held off on imposing later summer closing hours for now". The merchants are happy. It also mentions the traffic problem especially on weekends and special events, but is it really a problem? Or are we just used to instant gratification? Mr. Maw got in and out in 25 mins. Not bad at all. Okay, maybe there wasn't anyone to witness all the people jumping out of the way of his speeding car.

Back to the buskers...the outside ones have to switch every hour, but the indoor ones don't as long as there isn't anyone else waiting to play. They need to change that. I'll inform the busker manager. I'll come clean for those of you that don't know. My husband is a busker at G.I. He's the Japanese guy, Hiro, who plays Brazillian music with guitar and amp and sings in Portuguese. All I can say is that you can't listen to his music while driving b/c it can put you to sleep and he needs the amp otherwise you would have to be sitting on his lap to hear him. He won't apologize to anyone that hates his music, but he agrees the repetition can be annoying for those who work there (and his wife) so he does extend his apologies to them. He has a mission, but you can talk to him about that, either at G.I. or the next e-gullet outing.

Okay, what's up with Lee's doughnuts? Worth trying, worth starting a new thread?

[jamiemaw]

Okay, what's up with Lee's doughnuts? Worth trying, worth starting a new thread?

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The honey-dipped, preferably warm, are revelatory, butter, although seeing my feet after half a box is another matter.

[barolo]

Okay, what's up with Lee's doughnuts? Worth trying, worth starting a new thread?

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Definitely worth trying.

[*Deborah*]

Just read in the Westender "the federal CMHC (owners of the sandbar slab since 1972) held off on imposing later summer closing hours for now". The merchants are happy. It also mentions the traffic problem especially on weekends and special events, but is it really a problem? Or are we just used to instant gratification? Mr. Maw got in and out in 25 mins. Not bad at all. Okay, maybe there wasn't anyone to witness all the people jumping out of the way of his speeding car. 

Jamie went Sunday, late afternoon IIRC...try going between the hours of 11:00 and 2:00 on a Saturday...on a sunny Saturday. Around 1:00 on Saturday, it took me half an hour to get to the actual market building (where I snagged prime parking at least) from the turn off W 4th Ave (westbound). And it only took me three lights to make the turn, sometimes it's taken me longer!

I know I should go earlier in the day, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way...

[annanstee]

Okay, what's up with Lee's doughnuts? Worth trying, worth starting a new thread?

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Edited March 7, 2005 by annanstee (log)

[Mooshmouse]

Um, annanstee , the name is Neil.

I try not to hide it.

Noah is Mooshmouse's ( or Mooshmice's ) kid - eater all of things cookie.

←

Dear Lord,

Forgive me Neil.

I actually know a Noah Wyles, hence the auto error. Sorry

←

That's ok, if you have read this board for awhile, sometimes my own guests call me Ian.

←

Neil, you've got both men in my family coming and going by name!

Are you trying to tell me something?! Have you been sleepwalking in my neighbourhood while wearing caramel sauce?

Edited March 8, 2005 by Mooshmouse (log)

[SBonner]

I was down at the market today for a lunch time wine tasting at Bridges...parking was an issue even at 12:30. After the tasting, dropped in for some shopping, and realised that the VQA store there really needs some work with selection and service. Overal got some good deals on sausages, meats, and baked goods...but went home empty handed in the wine department.

Stephen

[barolo]

Leave home shortly after 9:00 this morning and walk down to the Aquatic Centre ferry, picture postcard morning, eight of us on the ferry. On to the island - JJ Bean coffee, bread, fresh halibut, sausage, spinach, two big bunches of daffs for $4, Globe and Mail. Lots of room in the market for strollers, tourists and even the locals. Back on the ferry, walk along the seawall admiring happy dogs on the beach and home by shortly after 10:00. Seems like a good thing to me.

Edited March 12, 2005 by barolo (log)

[FannyBay]

I don't know if the powers that be at Granville Island Market were reading e-gullet but here's a recent communication from them.

For immediate release

March 22, 2005

Granville Island Announces New Hours for the Public Market

Vancouver, British Columbia: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announces the extension of Granville Island Public Market's and the Net Loft's hours of operation. CMHC's Island Managers, in consultation with the many small business operators in the Market and the Net Loft, worked together in responding to customer demand for later shopping hours. Beginning July 1st, the Market and Net Loft will be open until 7 PM, year-round.

"We worked hard to strike a balance between meeting customer need while maintaining quality service and product freshness," says Lino Siracusa, Island Director.

"We're willing to try staying open longer because the customers really want it. Staying open until 7 PM is totally reasonable to see if this will work," says Mark Mercier of Granville Island Tea Company.

"I think it is wonderful - longer hours are long overdue," says Joseph Stewart of Blackberry Books. "Our customers want it and it just makes sense for a retail community in the heart of the City to have later hours."

CMHC took into consideration the unique nature of the variety of operational needs that exists with over 65 different merchants, many of whom are owner-operators, as well as the crafts people and producers who are periodically in the Market at day tables.

In staying open until 7PM, CMHC believes that it will be possible for many people who work in the area be able to shop at the Market before heading home.

A property of the Canadian Government, Granville Island is managed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "We are very proud of the Island - it is a jewel in the Canadian Government's crown and is treasured by the locals and tourists for its unique offerings," says Siracusa. "Our aim is to continue to improve this well-loved Market for our customers."

-30-

Media contact:

Gloria Loree

Granville Island

Manager, Public Affairs and Programming

(604) 666-8779

gloree@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

For more information about the Public Market and other upcoming Granville Island events, visit www.granvilleisland.com or call (604) 666-5784.

[barolo]

Yipee! I'll be there.

[Edible Vancouver]

I was down at the market today for a lunch time wine tasting at Bridges...parking was an issue even at 12:30. After the tasting, dropped in for some shopping, and realised that the VQA store there really needs some work with selection and service. Overal got some good deals on sausages, meats, and baked goods...but went home empty handed in the wine department.

Stephen

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I agree regarding the wine store Stephen. As one of Vancouver's top tourist destinations, this is the store that should be representing the best of what BC has to offer, and in a lot of cases it seems to offer some of the worst.

[Jaymes]

Parking is the big issue.  The excessive crowd is another.

I think NOT allowing cars in GIM is an option with the exception of delivery, handicap, buses, etc. which should be allowed only in certain parts of the island.

I'd say just the opposite. Allow cars but NOT tour buses. Have a turnaround place right off the island....the buses stop there. The tourists walk.

But if you're planning on encouraging locals to shop, you have to be sure it's easy to pack your heavy bags of fruit, etc., right into your vehicle.

[BCinBC]

I was down at the market today for a lunch time wine tasting at Bridges...parking was an issue even at 12:30. After the tasting, dropped in for some shopping, and realised that the VQA store there really needs some work with selection and service. Overal got some good deals on sausages, meats, and baked goods...but went home empty handed in the wine department.

Stephen

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I agree regarding the wine store Stephen. As one of Vancouver's top tourist destinations, this is the store that should be representing the best of what BC has to offer, and in a lot of cases it seems to offer some of the worst.

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I spoke to the owner of the GI wine store a while ago - he is contractually obligated to deal with certain vineyards only, which obviously limits his selection. It's unfortunate because if a place similar to the Kits store on 4th was transplanted to the island, even in a scaled-down mode (to VQA only?), it would benefit everyone.

On the subject of extended hours, I recall upthread there was concern about the impact on the owner-operators' lives and livelihoods by extending an already-full day. The press release only touches on this. Is the opinion expressed by the two gents running the Tea Co and Blackberry the concensus I wonder?

[annanstee]

I was down at the market today for a lunch time wine tasting at Bridges...parking was an issue even at 12:30. After the tasting, dropped in for some shopping, and realised that the VQA store there really needs some work with selection and service. Overal got some good deals on sausages, meats, and baked goods...but went home empty handed in the wine department.

Stephen

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I agree regarding the wine store Stephen. As one of Vancouver's top tourist destinations, this is the store that should be representing the best of what BC has to offer, and in a lot of cases it seems to offer some of the worst.

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Yes, I am in total agreement with both of you. Can we even call this VQA? Alot of the offerings seem to be Chilean blends bottled in BC. I find myself going up to the Brewery- they seem to have nearly as much selection, and the staff love to chat about the products.

Why can't this be one of those stores selling labels you can't get in the LDB?

What a wasted chance to showcase BC to all those blasted tourists

Ann

Edited March 23, 2005 by annanstee (log)

[paul mitchell]

Granville Island has been a place of many first's for me. I am sure I could find a slew of faults in it but what's the point?

My first sours. From the candy shop there. At least 20 years ago. This afternoon at the corner store I was into the bin yet again for the coke bottles.

Caviar. Had heard so much about it in my early restaurant career so had to try it on a family weekend trip to Van. I picked the middle sized tin of the sevruga cause I didn't want to look cheap buying the smaller one. I ate it outside with Carr's table water crackers while my parents and sister browsed.

I don't know the name of it.....but we call it the sausage shop. This summer my co-worker went to Van for the weekend and brought back a huge bag of salami to our remote resort in Tofino - we devoured it all that first day - along with the pate's he was saving for that "special occasion" (meaning a chance he might get laid). Turns out that visit of his was with a young woman who visited our resort a couple of times later on in the summer. Of course she would always bring a huge bag of salami's from our dreamed of GI shop.

I could surely go on. My first tub of demi-glace or chantrelle mushroom. Bless the place.

[Foodie in Vancouver]

Yes, we all love Granville Island, but what do we need to do to get a decent wine shop and make the busses park off Island? I'll sign the petition.

[Sam Salmon]

As regards the busses issue I'd love to hear what Merchants on the Island think-both those in the Market and other retailers/restaurateurs.

[Jaymes]

As regards the busses issue I'd love to hear what Merchants on the Island think-both those in the Market and other retailers/restaurateurs.

It probably will frighten them. But they'd be wrong. I was a travel agent for 18 years and owned my own agency for eight of those years. I've escorted LOTS of groups and know what I'm talking about.

Think about it....have YOU ever traveled? Have YOU ever toured?

Did you do any walking?

They could set up golf carts or something to take the really handicapped tourists. But those big buses? There are many, many places where they are not allowed to go. And it doesn't slow down the tourists one bit. Tourists are a determined lot.

Edited March 25, 2005 by Jaymes (log)

[Jaymes]

If anyone is interested in presenting this thought to the Merchant's Association, or whomever makes those decisions, consider this.

The buses pull up. They drop off their load of tourists. Those tourists UNDOUBTEDLY are going to be at the Island for several hours. They are going to walk that loop. They are going to see the sights, dip into this store, that market, the other gallery. Grab a snack at the cafe. Eat lunch out on that deck overlooking the water. They are on a sightseeing outing. Wherever their bus stops, the tourists are going to circle back around to it on foot.

If the bus parked just off the island, or if they made a bus 'drop-off and pickup only' place right at the entrance, those tourists would still be on the Island for hours, strolling and meandering and sightseeing. And walking.

That's a far different experience from a local that wants to run down there, grab some fresh produce and maybe a fish and bottle of wine for tonight's dinner, and then get the heck home.

The tourists don't mind walking. That's what they're there for. Hey....they've got the time. They're on vacation. They want to see "Granville Island." And they've come a long way to do it.

So if I'm a tourist and if I want to see Granville Island (and if I'm on a bus touring Vancouver then I certainly do want to see Granville Island), then I want to see Granville Island dammit. And Granville Island is the only place I can do that. And if the tour companies want my money, they'll do what it takes to get me there.

But the locals, on the other hand, are in search of a far different commodity. In addition to a quality product (of course), the locals are in search of convenience.

So if I'm a local and if I want to buy a bag of cherries and if you make it too much of a hassle for me to buy my bag of cherries at Granville Island...well...fine....I'll go somewhere else.

Edited March 25, 2005 by Jaymes (log)

[annanstee]

Jaymes,

the sad thing is, that there is no way the residents surrounding the Island will tolerate buses dropping off outside their buildings. They have just got City hall to stop traffic going down through False Creek to the Island. I live in the creek, but East of the Island, closer to the Oak Street area. Trust me when I say that those adjacent to the Island will howl like a woman calling for her demon lover if buses even think about dropping off in their neighborhood. My husband got a 150$ ticket at thanksgiving for trying to drive directly to Granville Island from my place to pick up the ridiculously large turkey my mum ordered. The pain still wakes me up on damp nights.

Ann

Edited March 25, 2005 by annanstee (log)

[Jaymes]

Jaymes,

the sad thing is, that there is no way the residents surrounding the Island will tolerate buses dropping off outside their buildings. They have just got City hall to stop traffic going down through False Creek to the Island. I live in the creek, but East of the Island, closer to the Oak Street area. Trust me when I say that those adjacent to the Island will howl like a woman calling for her demon lover if buses even think about dropping off in their neighborhood. My husband got a 150$ ticket at thanksgiving for trying to drive directly to Granville Island from my place to pick up the ridiculously large turkey my mum ordered. The pain still wakes me up on damp nights.

Ann

It is sad that everyone can't pitch in together to work out a solution. It seems to me that there is a sort of industrial area right there, as you dip down to the entrance. And isn't there a kind of large parking space off to the left immediately at the entrance? Or did I imagine it.

I certainly can see that folks in a residential neighborhood would be strongly opposed to large buses parking there. I wouldn't like that either. And also businesses wouldn't like those buses on the street directly in front of them. But still, it seems that there could be a solution found if everyone agrees that one is needed, and then works towards that goal.

[annanstee]

Jaymes,

the sad thing is, that there is no way the residents surrounding the Island will tolerate buses dropping off outside their buildings. They have just got City hall to stop traffic going down through False Creek to the Island. I live in the creek, but East of the Island, closer to the Oak Street area. Trust me when I say that those adjacent to the Island will howl like a woman calling for her demon lover if buses even think about dropping off in their neighborhood. My husband got a 150$ ticket at thanksgiving for trying to drive directly to Granville Island from my place to pick up the ridiculously large turkey my mum ordered. The pain still wakes me up on damp nights.

Ann

It is sad that everyone can't pitch in together to work out a solution. It seems to me that there is a sort of industrial area right there, as you dip down to the entrance. And isn't there a kind of large parking space off to the left immediately at the entrance? Or did I imagine it.

I certainly can see that folks in a residential neighborhood would be strongly opposed to large buses parking there. I wouldn't like that either. And also businesses wouldn't like those buses on the street directly in front of them. But still, it seems that there could be a solution found if everyone agrees that one is needed, and then works towards that goal.

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There really isn't much parking right off Island. The parking lot you refer to might be part of the Honda Bike dealership, or be the gravelly area just up the street. Unfortunately the latter is in front of and across the street from condos. I am not sure about an industrial area,; there are several busnesses down there-and the Macclures dispatch... another problem with the Off Island solution is that a lot of tour buses are full of seniors as well, who may not be able or willing to walk the equivelent of several city blocks.

I think it would be best if it were made as easy as possible to get there without a car, by transit, shuttle, ferry etc. Those who weren't doing a heavy shop could get down there without a car.

Perhaps in the future the Ocean cement area could be a bay used for public and private buses. Maybe a shuttle sould could run from the proposed RAV line Terminus in South Eastern False Creek.

I will always find it difficult to see precious public space being handed over to vehicles. Whatever solution they find should be as low impact as possible.

Edited March 28, 2005 by annanstee (log)

[emmalish]

It seems to me that there is a sort of industrial area right there, as you dip down to the entrance.  And isn't there a kind of large parking space off to the left immediately at the entrance?  Or did I imagine it.

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There really isn't much parking right off Island. The parking lot you refer to might be part of the Honda Bike dealership, or be the gravelly area just up the street.

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There are already transit stops just off the island, so tour buses probably wouldn't be able to stop & park in those areas, but drop-off and pick up might be possible.

[annanstee]

It seems to me that there is a sort of industrial area right there, as you dip down to the entrance.  And isn't there a kind of large parking space off to the left immediately at the entrance?  Or did I imagine it.

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There really isn't much parking right off Island. The parking lot you refer to might be part of the Honda Bike dealership, or be the gravelly area just up the street.

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There are already transit stops just off the island, so tour buses probably wouldn't be able to stop & park in those areas, but drop-off and pick up might be possible.

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I don't think the locals would tolerate it. There are already sizeable crowds right on their doorstep waiting for the number 50. There is also the extra exhaust etcetera.