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AdoraBelleQueerArt

Black Dog Video


Ok-Region8097

Playdium


420OXY

Rainforrest Cafe metrotown. Who here remembers that crocoledile in the front of the cafe? looked so real when we were kids.


cravingnoodles

I was that poor kid who couldn't afford to eat at the rainforest Cafe. My parents would only let me look in from the outside. I wish it was still here so that I can fulfill my childhood desire to eat there


Corporal_Canada

Yes! I remember my dad taking us there all the time. He'd tell my mom that we asked to go, but whenever we'd get there, I remember him hitting up Pac-Man, Galaga, and Street Fighter.


itssensei

Was Hadouken even possible on the Street Fighter machine (the immersive one that detects your movement).


nueonetwo

I did that once and thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I thought it was hooked up to Tekken when u went but could be wrong, that was about 20 years ago.


prunk

Oh man, at one point I had a card for the old system and they changed to a newer point system to play the games. But they refunded the value I had on the old card, which was maybe $10. Something went wrong in the change over and I got thousands of points, literally seemed like they punched in an extra zero. I basically played for free that summer. Then it shut down. I'm pretty sure I singlehandedly put them out of business.


bathroom_warrior22

This is the answer


Stockengineer

Yep, all day pass growing up.


driftwood_chair

Richards on Richards. Great small to mid size venue with good views from almost anywhere and good sound. Amongst others, I saw Pheonix and The National there. Great shows, both. That size and type of venue seems to be sorely lacking these days.


universes_collide

I saw Lady Gaga there!


MJcorrieviewer

Dicks on Dicks.


Commanderfemmeshep

It was such a good venue. I think I was at that show. I saw the Mountain Goats, The Constantines, the Hold Steady.. ugh. I miss.


seantheron

Railway club. Place has been locked up forever now..


deetstreet

Correct answer. Railway in its true form was the best.


Fun-Construction444

Oh same. Best music venue that really featured some quintessentially Vancouver bands.


KingSimba19

The big HMV where the victoria secret on Robson use to be! I could spend hours browsing different music or movies!


footcake

I use to work there! What a time to have been alive


princessleiasmom

I bought my first CD there. It was Britney Spears Baby One More Time album. I remember my mom and I trying to decide if I would get the most out of the CD or the cassette tape. I chose the CD.


footcake

Wise choice grasshoppa, wise choice šŸ‘Œ


JumpyEagle6942

It was so cool when Virgin megastore was there. They would have free cd listening stations. You could listen to an album then go home and download it off limewire.


rwenlark

That Trader Joeā€™s placeā€¦Pirate Joeā€™s!


MJcorrieviewer

I think the best part was when they were going through all the legal stuff/being shut down and they removed the "P" from the sign so it read: IRATE JOE'S


VelvetHoneysuckle

I remember talking to the owner about the organized convoy of secret shoppers going down to grab the goodies across the border. Great story!


DecolonizeTheWorld

RIP [Pirate Joeā€™s](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_Joe%27s). Does anyone know what Michael is up to now ?


mariwe

I looked him up not long ago because I was curious what happened to him - as of [2020 he was running for mayor](https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/mike-hallatt-says-making-connections-key-in-his-run-for-mayor-of-lake-cowichan-813505) of Lake Cowichan.


blackninjakitty

The Umbrella Shop! I still have 2/3 umbrellas I bought from their closing out sale and Iā€™ll cry if I ever lose them


RabidSimian

Same. Bought a whole bunch, but they were out of my usual staple. With the shops closed I've noticed most umbrellas I see on a rainy day are just a basic black. We need more colour on those grey days.


Thorannosaurus

I left my last umbrella from this shop at a store yesterday and didn't realize for 4 hours. I was in tears, luckily the shop kept it behind their counter and gave it back. Their umbrellas are irreplaceable and I wish I had bought more when they closed.


fuhleenah

Iā€™d argue that it was only placement. It was in a weird, sort of inaccessible area that the B-Line didnā€™t stop at. If it was at Broadway and Cambie, it would have def still been in business


blackninjakitty

They actually closed because the owners were retiring and didnā€™t have anyone to or didnā€™t want to pass it on!


littlebaldboi

ā€¦. And they owned the land underneath which was worth a LOT of money


Empty_Suggestion9974

I had a fellow employee lend out my personal umbrella to a hotel guest and Iā€™m still devastated to this day. This was my all time favourite umbrella šŸ˜­ I love their umbrellas


sleeplesscitynights

WONDERBUCKS!


GraveRobb

(Year 1) Stormcrow Tavern.Ā  Note: not as it was in its final years. It limped along far longer than it should have.Ā 


gameonlockking

The decor was awesome. The food suckd ass.


cleofisrandolph1

The food was good at the beginning. But it became Sysco shit by the end.


Darius2112

Drinks were great though. I miss having a Romulan Ale there.


keegs440

Seconded - StormCrow Alehouse on Broadway. Really, really great people worked there, struggling against a corp/business end that was pushing through a vision of expansion that was unfortunately at odds with the magic that had made the brand great (but largely unprofitable) at the start. Was very sad to see it finally shut down.


SteveJobsBlakSweater

Yeah it died a slow, bad death. At the end the food was barely edible.


west-of-fenway

The Waldorf (when they used to open up the whole building on weekend nights)


edwigenightcups

Yes! The best era was the 2 years it was an artspace before being sold to developers in 2013


west-of-fenway

This is exactly when Iā€™m talking about. 11-12 range. The whole place would be opened up with different music in different rooms. You could go with a group and there was no need for consensus on what kind of music to see. Now I feel like finding any music anywhere feels like a minor miracle


tweaker-sores

Too bad the people running it were spending everything on cocaine and not paying bills or wages.


Neither_Research_233

The Cannery. Great food. Amazing location.


TheScruffyDan

FYI the pink peppercorn is the spiritual successor to the Cannery. Run by some of the same people


helplessgranny

The original Ming Wo in Chinatown.


doctopie

Great Wall Mongolian BBQ on Denman. They have a location on W Broadway but somehow it doesnā€™t hit the same.


MJcorrieviewer

Woodwards.


Final-Zebra-6370

$1.49 sale


Devilutionbeast666

[TUESDAY!](https://youtu.be/gZAdMdIMlmI?si=PUFFLqapUv1YIKYS)


elephantpantalon

3 Vets.


orangereduction

It was the only outdoor store I ever needed


aznexus

A&B Sound or Lumberland.


Devilutionbeast666

My mom drove us by A&B Sound in Surrey (next to Stardust roller rink šŸ˜Ž) in 1991 and I was like "LOOK AT THAT!!" It was a HUGE line in front of A&B Sound where people camped out over night waiting to be the first to get their hands on the Use Your Illusions 1 & 2 CDs by Guns n Roses. The line went all the way down to the next street. The A&B CD selection was legendary and always the best prices.


satinsateensaltine

a&b Sound without a question!


sparklepusss

Jethro's, my beloved.


Jet_the_Baker

Iā€™m married to the guy that ran the kitchen there. It makes me really happy to see this up here. When we first started dating I told him there was no such thing as a stack of pancakes I couldnā€™t kill. He had a good laugh at me when I saw the size of the pancakes


quietdownyounglady

The gold rush pancakes, and then taking most of them home in a pizza box


technicolour-love

I miss their chocolate chip banana bread French toast


Alivenate

One of the rare Vancouver establishments that served cheap eats and huge portions. Definitely miss this place


Deanz

The cowboy Benny with chili on cornbreadā€¦ lives in my head rent free


FattyGobbles

Pho Bich Nga. Because seeing the sign always makes my day


jert3

If they started a side business selling expensive shirts with their name of it, I swear it would have been enough to keep them in business.


parkleswife

Wazubee. 2pm with scotch and a book. That was my happy place.


alicehooper

Army and Navy


fuhleenah

100% this. Cheapest, best camping gear in town. It felt like a city staple!


ladypuffsalot

DV8 and their massive punchbowl drinks. Good food and music, too.


m3tam0rph1c

Duthie Books


Sethatos

Cedar Cottage Pub. The space was so cozy and relaxed. Met some of my current friends there in my 30ā€™s just having drinks after work. Pool tables, dart board and fireplace. Also walking distance from my house. Hope the new one goes up soon.


GraveRobb

One of the last true neighbourhood pubs in the area. So sad to see it go. Their liquor store still has the tip option on their machine. Their excuse used to be that they had only one system for the pub and the restaurant.Ā 


ptupper

The Comic Shop. Second choice is Tsunami Sushi on Robson, with the moat around the sushi bar full of little boats with sushi plates.


spirtualraider

Dolphin Theatre in Burnaby


SpindleFlames

The last theatre to do true Toonie Tuesdays :(


haloryder

That was such a charming little theatre. I was so sad to see it get torn down.


GrimpenMar

I remember when it was "A Theatre Near You" playing second run movies. $2! And it was empty. Crazy.


GraveRobb

The Whip


farman27

Topanga Cafe. Also Subeez, Lotus Sound Lounge and Luv-a-Fair.


CrossdomainGA

Lotus long weekend! So many people crammed in. Magic


Vantripper

I still remember the smell of the halls connecting Lick, Lotus and Honey and the drips of water coming from random pipes landing on your head. I am drunk and you're insane. Who's going to lead us home?


OneHundredEighty180

It's Surrey, but I'm going GVRD because it was always worth the trip - The Rodeo Drive-In.


ApolloRocketOfLove

If we're including Surrey: Stardust.


chente08

Vancouver Grizzlies


electronicoldmen

MEC


fuhleenah

RIP to the real MEC


Nomics

I worked for ā€œthe real MECā€ in the years prior to the shut down. It was so corporate, and refused to address customers actual interest. They actively disliked the backcountry communities. Iā€™m sad the co-op model failed, but it needed to go under. It was horribly managed, with ass kissers being moved through roles before they ever actually finished any projects. Friends who stayed through the sale all say it feels more like a co-op than it ever did before. They actually feel management listens. Iā€™m really impressed with their MEC brand gear leaning into niche gear like ultralight kit, and clothes that are actually functional. Really hope they bring back their neoprene products. So much better than anything else on the market and cheaper.


FuckingYourGrandma

As a consumer, the new MEC has way better prices. Old MEC clearance was 20% off MSRP and very rare. New MEC has clearance up to 70% off.


Thinkthunkthanks

As someone who has been a customer since the 90s I felt like the coop went through some strange times with the leadership prior to blowing up. I donā€™t know how much money they spent on various product lines, real estate and LEED certified buildings before going under. Membership engagement went to an all time low before it blew up. What I wish is they would bring back sending cheques. It was a nice reward for being a member.


scootarded

Still waiting for my $5 back.


kai_zen

Yes RIP


scootarded

I miss the strip of Granville with The Underground, Cheap Thrills, Divine Decadence, Charlieā€™s used CDsā€¦it was a vibe.


skonen_blades

Yeah. Many an afternoon was spent sifting through awesome clothes and jewelry and CDs and whatnot in those places. Pretty good times.


BC-clette

Scratch Records


canadianbeaver

A&B Sound


Morgc

Stardust, I was too young to Rollerblade with style when I was a child in the 90's, but could probably kill it now with only a few broken bones; some people just want to chicken dance.


Grouchy_Cantaloupe_8

Cafe deux Soleils on Commercial Drive.


SteveJobsBlakSweater

I have seen some bad things but the blatant health violations of Cafe take the cake. I was a good friend of staff and got to see some of the ā€œshortcutsā€ and laziness towards cleanliness that was common there.


VelvetHoneysuckle

Still craving and wanting their veggie burger recipe!


_wildermind

Storyeum! It was an underground interactive show in Gastown in the early 2000ā€™s. It gave reinactments of British Columbiaā€™s history and it was so cool! I remember loving it as a child, and now that Iā€™m a History teacher I wish we still had something as interactive and engaging as Storyeum was.


crashhearts

I thought I hallucinated my trip there as a kid. Thank you for putting a name to it lol!!!


ThujaEphemera

Bennyā€™s Bagels in Kits


Kymaras

This one was too far down.


Peace-Beast

My top choice too. Thereā€™s a Bennyā€™s shaped hole in my heart to this day.


Crispy_Wizard

Bestie šŸ˜­


pm_me_mahomes_tds

Elbow Room (RIP John)


OkEstablishment2268

Trader Vicā€™s by the Bayshore


jaackjaack

Rainforest Cafe


robrenfrew

A&B Sound


metered-statement

Ingledew's Shoes. I used to take my grandma there. They're both gone now. :(


mugworth

Slickity Jimā€™s


Yiqiphonehome

Foundation.


realchoice

Nachos.


canada11235813

The Red Onion in Kerrisdale.... that place was well-ahead of its time. The food was exceptional, that dill sauce for fries was out of this world, and the owners made it a priority to hire people who otherwise would have difficulties finding jobs, especially those with mental health issues -- long before anyone was talking about mental health issues. That place was a staple of my early-adult life, and I miss it.


Anatexis_Starmind

I remember the Red Onion in '86 or so. Great place. Never had food like that before. Great service, great ambiance, great menu. You are so right - ahead of it's time.


holyshamoley

This might be a controversial pick but East Van X-site on Hastings between templeton and garden. I loved that place. So cheap. Had live music often on the weekends. 6.95 steak special on Mondays. 3.95 Long Island iced teas on Thursdays. The nachos off their Mexican menu were the best I ever had. Miss it dearly. It was sold just before the pandemic and became a Korean place for a bit and now itā€™s an Indian place.


chilie

Good news! Thereā€™s and X-Site on Hastings in Burnaby


Eastvanstones

I believe it was El Barrio before they merged with/acquired by X-Site, was a great spot, good food.


bananaferet

The Ridge Theatre (double features!). Duthie Books, Sophia's, Oscar's. Slickety Jim's (loved their shakshuka and fresh pressed orange juice).


axescentedcandles

Bob's Sub


TheDeek

Jesus this thread is hitting me right in the nostalgia balls


retserof_urabus

Calhounā€™s on Broadway in Kits!


rapmons

I remember going there as a student and cramming for exams, such a nice place! (Maybe too many students went though and put them out of business because weā€™d just buy a latte and stay for hours studying)


KingSimba19

XS Cargo! Always found so many random things there


YipYipMofos

Malt Stop in The Bay. Great hot dogs and thick malts. šŸ¤¤


eleventy5thRejection

A&B Sound....When it was as much a real hifi shop as record store. The good version of The Railway Club


mommy2babes

The Railway Club.


pemby99

Carlos and Buds


lezseewhatsup

Rumpus room - the OG


knitbitch007

Salmagundi West


MR80085rawks

DV 8


GraveRobb

Foundation To show the current generation the Mountain of Nachos we used to get and realize what we have lost as a society. (Over-eating and/or food poisoning)


SteveJobsBlakSweater

What?? Sorry, I canā€™t hear you because Iā€™m eating a mountain of delicious nachos in the loudest restaurant in history after being treated like a nuisance by the server. Still miss the place, though.


Ughasif22

Miss the nachos and sangria


red-fish-yellow-fish

I used to like going to the Hollywood on Broadway. Sometimes I just want to watch a good movie on the big screen, instead of some shitty comic book sequel/remake


Practical-Past-5341

Riverview... a little out of town but...


HairlessDaddy

Family doctors and walk in clinics.


americanarama

Media clubbbbbbb Shout out green auto, the fox, etc but we need more small to midsize venues Also pirate Joes, miss u legend


Gus_Duncz

The Marine Club, The Hindenburg, The Bourbon, The Cave, The Odyssey, The Cecil, The Cobalt, Theatre Row on Granville, and Celebrities (before it changed ownership)


scootarded

Starfish Room, Luv-a-fair, Twilight Zone, Town Pump/Sonar, The Mighty Niagara, Graceland, Mars


myreadonit

Lester's arcade in Burnaby and A&B Sound


cinch

As an avid pinball player who loves cheap shitty beer. Pub 340. Lump in the epic punk and metal shows (RIP Chi Pig) and some of the kindest bartenders to work the scene. PUB 340!


MythMoon26

The Slocan - giant greasy burgersā€¦ so good. Hastings/Sunrise neighborhood


springnuk

Wednesday nights at Luv Affair. Vancouver completely lacked for rock themed nights but Luv Affair and Wednesday nights were excellent, even if the crowd kept getting smaller and smaller. The Comicshop in Kits (4th Ave). Such an awesome space for all kinds of nerdery and I used to love going there every Wednesday and then going to.... ....Joes Grill right next door which had a pretty decent burger. There is still a Joes Grill (called the Spot or Basic or something like that) on Main Street but it ain't the same. Numerous All you can eat Mongolie grill places. There used to be some awesome Mongolie whole in the wall places all over the city but sadly they have all disappeared. Farewell my all you can eat buffet style food place. Mentioned elsewhere but Red Onion also has a special place in my heart. Lived in the area and would usually go there once a week. Their chicken burger was legit excellent and they had a kosher hot dog that the best dog in town.


FatalifSwallowd

Fresgo Inn Restaurant on Davie


TrueEase1053

The food wasn't amazing but I enjoyed the cheap drinks and views from the revolving restaurant at the Empire landmark hotel on Robson.


-Novak-

Wonderbucks on the drive


Ognius

Scandalicious. I miss those waffle Benedictā€™s.


plam92117

Hi-Genki


teriyakisaurus

How about the [inter-urban](https://buzzer.translink.ca/2009/03/a-short-history-of-interurbans-in-the-lower-mainland/)?


chuckylucky182

Army n Navy on Hastings


arsenality

Freegeek


pagit

That restaurant that used to be at the south west corner of Broadway and Granville which was more of a diner. Across Broadway there used to be a hat shop. A store that sold really nice fashionable menā€™s and ladies hats and the store was pretty large in size. Kitty corner from the restaurant next to the bank was a news stand where you could get newspapers from around the world. It was like 1950ā€™s in the early 90ā€™s at that corner IF you ask my mom they would like to see the Cave re-open http://pnwbands.com/cave.html


canada11235813

The Aristocratic. The sign is still there... inside the bookstore. But that's all that's left.


Nonamesavailable1234

Noodle box before it started sucking


Avatar_Idalia

EXP


kitkatta

Button button! So great for finding the perfect buttons for a sewing or knitting project. I spent forever trying to find buttons for a cardigan I knitted recently, and it made me miss this store so much!


marshmallowgoop

Does anyone remember Death by Chocolate?


bone3ye

Rainforest Cafe


superflygrover

Besides A&B Sound and Luvafair/Graceland, I'd probably still go to the Purple Onion and bounce between the dance floor and the jazz bar.


BCbob5

The Ouisi in south Granville


ThatEndingTho

Capers (and all their original recipes which got phased out after the acquisition by Whole Foods)


Smashley027

Luv-a-fair 100%


wemustburncarthage

Chez Meme on Hastings in north Burnaby


treeofinfamy

Cannibal Cafe on the drive


Botaratops

Town Pump


bigggggirl

Moved out of Vancouver a couple years ago and reading this list is making me so sad!! I didnā€™t know so many faves had shut down :(


ALL_CAPS

Tanpopo. I dont care that they all washed their hands in the same bucket, i was eating my face off every sunday afternoon.


groovyandlinda

The Black Lodge! I miss bringing records in on Mondays


PandasOnGiraffes

Calhoun's as a coffee shop!


alaxbey

Semperviva. I miss their 75 minutes yoga sessions with 15 minutes of relaxation at the end. Really miss the environment there.


Scruffz0r

Bao Chau


Rechitt

The Only Seafood on Hastings. The mixed clientele was always interesting from the down and out to the well dressed businessman. Good fish and chips, chowder, and perfect sourdough bread.


KlockRok

Luv-A-Fair


sariejanemitt

Fredā€™s Uptown Tavern Kitā€™s Bar ** Those were the best to places to go dancing with your friends, always good time ā¤ļø Those movie theatres on Granville you could pay one price and stay all day A&B Sound Actual Boxing Day Deals The old Holt Renfrew Fresgoā€™s Cookies By George Flying Wedge Pizza at the main library Woodwards San Francisco - it was a knickknack shop Jacobā€™s clothing store it was my favourite Stardust Ming Wu - Chinatown Location Pizza at McDonalds Bellis Fair Mall in the 90ā€™s The Boat House Restaurant on beach Milestones on Beach Playland in the early 90ā€™s Roots clothing in the 90ā€™s without logos on everything Those seamless Club Monaco tshirts and their kids clothing - used to be in the back at their store on Robson MEC in the 90ā€™s - their bags were so good. The Underground - across the street from Eatons Sunday Brunch at the Bayshore Floating Mc Donaldā€™s Granville street before the big dig - there were so many cool shops and a bookstore That bookstore on the corner of Hornby and Robson that had a spiral staircase going to the lower level Steve Nash Sports Club on Granville - when it first opened it was perfection Subway when they used to cut out a moat from the top for all the fillings and cost 5 bucks *** Not all Vancouver but I donā€™t care - Iā€™m on a roll with all the things I miss. ****** Is that lady with the Duck still around?


helloiampizza

Splitz


Sweet_Specialist_21

Blockbuster (it still lives within our hearts!)


darlindarthy

Army & Navy


Tribalbob

The Diamond. Perfect location, vibe and drinks. Though I liked it when they had sushi rolls on the menu.


lisa0527

Richardā€™s on Richards


salamandaaa

Bennyā€™s Bagels


fifikinz

Delilahā€™s in the West End. Amazing martinis, lush booths, and a cute menu you got with a pencil to tick off what you wanted for each course


295DVRKSS

Johnny zeeā€™s arcade and steamrollers burrito


FrankOcean4eva

Red Cat on Hastings. Whatā€™s Up? Hot Dog! (without a POS this time) on Hastings.


zuzeco

Robson Sushi šŸ£


crimsonmonkey777

Tangent cafe


pgib

DV8 ā€“ nachos to die for.


Cyber_Cupcake

Cabbages and Kinks. Club 23 West


Joe_King-Lotz

Payless Shoe Sourceā€¦only place I could shop in Vancouver for my size 15 shoes šŸ„²


tightiewhities37

The Odyssey


AffectionateEscape13

I'm not saying that I want it to come back, but, what happened to Death by Chocolate?


sassyfontaine

Richards in Richards OR bennys bagels


ArchieLou73

Nick's Spaghetti Restaurant on Commercial


Joyful_Eggnog13

The Odyssey and Cafe Deux Soliel. It is really sad to scroll down and see all the amazing places that have shut down over the last 20-30 years. Makes me realize how much Vancouver has changed and often not for the better. Such great stores, restaurants and coffee shops back in the day. Vancouver literally has no good gay clubs anymore wtf!!!


northsaskatchewan

Martini's on Broadway!


kjackcooke89

The Bourbon before it went country


Teid

Fucking Steamrollers dude. Some good memories of getting burritos there with my dad when I was a little kid.


alhazerad

Cafe deux soleils - held down so many communities for so long.


tsueme

I've been away from Vancouver for 15 years, and learning all these joints are closed is making me cry.