by Nicole Dennis Durnin | As I mentioned in my first post for Scout, from the moment my husband and I decided to pursue the dream of opening my own boutique, Gastown was going to be the place.  I’ve never had any apprehension about Gastown being the home of Lynn Steven, but I still meet people who haven’t visited this part of Vancouver in years, believing the neighbourhood to be either dangerous or nothing but a collection of tourist shops. By opening a boutique in the area I hope to help dispel the myth that Gastown is in any way unsafe while helping it grow its reputation as a great shopping district.

Gastown is home to an exciting new crop of food and drink establishments – Salt Tasting Room, Boneta, The Diamond, Pourhouse, Cobre – the list is long and continues to grow.  And since The Block opened its doors ten years ago, paving the way for independent retailers like Dream, One of a Few/Two of a Few, and Livestock, as well as new boutiques such as Nouvelle Nouvelle, and Gentille Alouette, Gastown has begun to mature as a shopping destination.  The common thread that ties all these establishments together is independence.  There’s not a Gap or a Cactus Club among them.

I believe it’s the independent nature of the business owners in Gastown that have given the neighbourhood a strong feeling of camaraderie. I’ve yet to open, but I’ve already met a number of the area’s entrepreneurs.  Without fail, everyone has been incredibly supportive, asking if there’s any way they can help.

There are two prominent Vancouverites who are leading Gastown into its new era: Sean Heather and Robert Fung. Mr. Heather has of course been instrumental in making Gastown what it is today. I remember The Irish Heather being the only reason to go to Gastown, other than the occasional beer-fueled night at The Blarney Stone.  Robert Fung, founder of The Salient Group, has been renovating many of the historic buildings in Gastown since 2000.  The Flack Block and The Grand, Terminus and Alhambra Hotels have all been rejuvenated, turned into residential and commercial mixed-use properties, while still retaining their historical facades and character.  The Salient Group is helping to create new and exciting retail spaces where hopefully more locally-owned businesses will soon set up shop, adding to the already vibrant and eclectic feel of Gastown.

It’s difficult to broach this topic without mentioning gentrification (or perhaps in the case of Gastown, the re-gentrification) and revitalization of the neighbourhood. However, I feel as though I should leave the social commentary to the other Vancouver blogs out there.  As an independent small business owner, I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t eagerly anticipating hundreds of residents moving into the Woodwards development, or the dozens of well-heeled urbanites who will call the Terminus and Garage home.  I also look forward to the steady stream of addicts and metal-strippers heading down Blood Alley being reduced to a trickle.  But what I certainly don’t want is for the area to be sterilized of its character.  In fact as the souvenir shops make way for independent restaurants, bars and exciting new stores, and as Vancouverites rediscover Gastown and feel safer on its streets, I feel that the blood is just starting to flow through Gastown’s veins and that it’s getting its character back.

SCOUT GUEST BLOG

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

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