November 28th, 2004

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Vancouver
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Granville Island Gets Its Due

On Urban Vancouver, Richard points out that Vancouver’s Granville Island was named the best neighbourhood in North America. Here’s what they say about it:

Artistic uses include an art institute, a theater, galleries, and studios; for children there’s a free waterpark, playground, and kids market with toys, clothing, and books; and in the way of food, Granville offers a superb a public market and a series of restaurants. Floating homes and boat rentals complete the picture. In short, one can pass the entire day here and leave some places unexplored.

Amen. I’m fortunate enough to live a short ferry ride away, and am a huge fan of the island. Great food, interesting artisans (not just the usual tourist tat) and a broad variety of venues for live performance. Just last night I watched Rumble Productions’ The Monument at Performance Works. When hockey was being played last year, the Granville Island Hotel was my favourite secret spot to watch pay-per-view games.

Ironically for this recognition, very few people live in this ‘neighbourhood’. Yes, there are plenty of condos near Granville Island, and a handful of floating homes nearby, but there’s no residences on the island.

Comments: 7 Responses so far

Rog
November 28th, 2004
6:48 pm

I work right next to Granville Island and I fully agree with these sentiments. One of the best places to bump elbows with people on the planet.

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champ
November 28th, 2004
10:00 pm

I couldn’t agree more. I have been living in Vancouver for past 10 years. I am discovering many interesting places but Granville Island still # 1 place in my list. Unfortunately, I don’t live any where closer to it but my monthly visit is good enough.

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bree
November 29th, 2004
8:54 am

How was The Monument? You should post more theatre reviews when you go Darren, or at least a “see it” or “don’t see it.” I know I’d like to see more theatre but it’s hard to tell sometimes what’s worth the bucks for a ticket.

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Declan
November 29th, 2004
11:02 am

It’s not as unique to the ‘Island’ as a lot of the other stuff, but as a nearby resident, I find the community centre the most useful, and the cause of most of my visits there.

Like you say, it is kind of odd to call it a neighbourhood, I certainly never thought of it that way. Of course, I’m not really sure exactly what you would call it.

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Swade
November 29th, 2004
2:45 pm

I visited Vcr from Australia earlier this year. My sister-in-law lives a 5 minute walk from Granville and in the week we spent at her place, we must have visited Granville around 5 times. I taught my brother-in-law how to kick an Australian football in the parklands nearby.

We have a similar marketplace here, called Salamanca. A lot of galleries etc.

Granville was truly a magical spot and we’ve more than a few things laying around the house now that attest to our time there.

Re: housing - I was under the impression there was a housing co-op down there or very very close by. Incorrect?

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Gene
November 29th, 2004
4:24 pm

I remember my mother and aunt speaking of working at a dry cleaning place called Granville Bros. at the foot of the old Granville Street bridge during WWII. They used to get 18 cents an hour. They always spoke fondly of the place. Granville Island must have always been a neat place.

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A. Nickel
April 3rd, 2007
2:47 pm

I have an old wooden coat hanger that belonged to my granparents. It says: “GRANVILLE BROS. Phone Bay 45 1835 Granville St. VANCOUVER, B. C.” I wonder when and how long they were in operation. I have two other old wooden hangers. One is “Empire Cleaners, Vancouver BC” and the other “White & Sons” which may or may not be from Vancouver.

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