Wonderbucks

Good old Wonderbucks is a bit of an institution on Commercial Drive. But I recently came across some bad news in an article in the Vancouver Sun. Due to skyrocketing rent the owner is going to close the store in early 2017. The rent is almost doubling from it's present level and will be over $27,000 a month. This is really bad news for Commercial Drive as it will probably mean that more independent retailers will likely have to move on. Another reason to worry that was mentioned in the article is the City approving the Grandview-Woodlands Community Plan. This allows for much higher density which is already driving up property values along The Drive. The CBC also did a story on Wonderbucks.





























Hopefully who ever takes over the space at Wonderbucks will leave the exterior tile work alone as years ago the store used to be the Crystal Dairy. The image was taken in 1946 by photographer Don Coltman. Vancouver Archives CVA 586-4178.



Update : This photo was taken in late January of 2017 just a few days before Wonderbucks closed for good. I went in for a last look around but there wasn't much left. Sad times on The Drive!