[Fairfield] Essencia Verde condo (formerly Castana) | 4- & 3-storeys | Completed in 2010

[gumgum]

Big news!
Thanks for the info Number 6.

I have mixed feelings about this. I wish they were staying.
On the other, selfish hand, I always found their stock limited.
I'm hopeful that whatever replaces it, as well as the other stores will cause us to wonder why we ever were saddened by FC's death.

Someone mentioned something about a Cobs bakery possibly opening. Any other info?

[Number Six]

I haven't heard any specifics on what will be going into the renovated FC building however I strongly suspect the Wine Shop will have to occupy one of the shops until the retail in Castana is ready (since the trailer now sits on what will be the new parking lot).

Other Castana retail businesses included Cobs Bakery, The Bread Garden (the bistro chain from Vancouver) and a crepier. I have no idea if these businesses are still interested (because of the delay) and/or if they would choose to move into the renovated FC building instead.

The feedback from the community members who took part in the advisory meetings was that the shops should be focused on serving the local community, as opposed to retail that might need to draw business from the entire region. The developer has stated his preference for local or B.C. businesses rather than national chains. I'm hoping we do not see any additional coffee shops or women's hair salons!

[Holden West]

Oh, yeah--the residents of Cook St. Village are already lining up for their long-awaited crepes.

[G-Man]

Bread Garden? Cool its about time we moved into the corporate chic world.

[gumgum]

I tried growing bread in my backyard but the yeast wouldn't take to the soil.

[gumgum]

Yep. Here's the closing sign.
[url=http://www.stor8.org/reg/image.php?id=5329IMG_4855.JPG:b43ea][/url:b43ea]

[gumgum]

The FCA's got some explaining to do.
Consult the little people before you make the decision to change the name of our street.
[url=http://www.stor8.org/reg/image.php?id=3272IMG_4857.JPG:47fa0][/url:47fa0]
Honestly!

[Holden West]

^I'd say that's [url=http://archives.xtra.ca/Story.aspx?s=224158:89a30]appropriate[/url:89a30] for a street near Dallas Rd. and Beacon Hill Park.

:smt008

[Walter Moar]

In James Bay, Niagara Street always becomes Viagara [sic].

[Holden West]

In Oak Bay, the streetsign for Somass Dr. is in a metal frame welded to the pole to deter theft.

[Mike K.]

Tillicum.

'nuff said.

[gumgum]

Ah yes, and the old favourite: Vanalman, minus the V.

[G-Man]

So ANYWAYS, has anyone been by the wine shop to see if they are planning on moving?

[Holden West]

I asked about Food Country when I was in there buying my plonk and the clerk said, "I really try not to get involved in knowing any of that stuff!" but said they were getting ready to expand their store with other non-wine items in the new complex.

[rayne_k]

Originally Posted by G-Man

Well that answers that weird how the latest plans still referred to Food Country. Too bad really because I like it better than Oxford Foods.

I just moved here this summer.. FC closing is a blow to me (def much better than Oxford)

I wonder how much they considered all the carless seniors clinging to independence. I'm the youngest peson in my building and every time I was in FC I saw at least 2 of my neighbours.... I bet at least 35% of FC's business is walk-ins.

[gumgum]

Hello neighbour!

[rayne_k]

Originally Posted by gumgum

Hello neighbour!

Hi

[Amanday]

Originally Posted by gumgum

Here's the PDF for the proposed changes to phase 1 for the Septemeber 28th council meeting:
http://www.cookstreetvillage.ca/pdf/application.pdf
Not too many changes as far as more family oriented units are concerned.
I plan to extract some of these and post zoomed images of the plan pages once I get access to a program that can extract pdf's to jpegs.
I can't make it to the council meeting. Anyone planning on going, and taking pics? Huh, huh?

This is kind of off topic, but couldn't you just use the "printscreen" function to do that?

[Holden West]

Everything at Food Country is 10% off so now's a good time to stock up on stuff that normally doesn't go on sale. Expect further discounts as it gets closer to the closing date. The store's already getting bare.

[gumgum]

Too bad they don't sell beer.

[rayne_k]

It's really too bad that they couldn't keep FC.. I just don't see how a number of smaller shops can replace FC.

Obviously I have a conflict of interest since I live here, but to me the neighbourhood grocery *stores* are huge amenity and attraction to living here, and part of what makes the area so walkable... (does anyone remember that walkability index they ran in the TC early summer?).

Thinking of it, in terms of resident-owners *and* renters, I really think local livable amenities are a *huge* draw... not having FC will hurt that appeal.

[Number Six]

I too wish FC could have remained however there was just no chance that this was going to happen. Their fate was sealed when the land was purchased in late 2004/eary 2005. The rental income from 6 or 8 smaller stores will be greater than what FC could generate. Let's just hope:

a) the renovation takes place soon and we're not left with an empty building next to the mud flats.

b) that the shops that go in there provide the local amenities we need in the village.

[rayne_k]

Originally Posted by Number Six

I too wish FC could have remained however there was just no chance that this was going to happen. Their fate was sealed when the land was purchased in late 2004/eary 2005. The rental income from 6 or 8 smaller stores will be greater than what FC could generate. Let's just hope:

a) the renovation takes place soon and we're not left with an empty building next to the mud flats.

b) that the shops that go in there provide the local amenities we need in the village.

:? Yeah I guess so... I just would like to think that proximty to the stores would enable them recoup $ from the premium condo prices.

I just got home from there (pike place tartar sauce anyone?), and one of the staffers mentioned that they had expected to stay open becuase it was an eight year lease.. :smt022

So I guess that there nowt to do but grin and bear it - BUT I reserve the right to complain if what gets built doesn't cut it.

[gumgum]

"Nowt"? Are you a north Englishman or just watch a lotta Coronation Street?

[zoomer]

Originally Posted by gumgum

"Nowt"? Are you a north Englishman or just watch a lotta Coronation Street?

Perhaps the new Food Country/Castana shops will include a butcher?!