Business is booming in Kitsilano. Since January 2012, 21 new storefronts and services have moved into the West 4th neighbourhood (see SIDEBAR below).
Its an impressive array of restaurants, boutique clothing stores, yoga studios, and coffee shops.
Kitsilano really feels like a community most people love the neighbourhood for the big city amenities and small town feel, says Russ Davies, executive director of Kitsilanos 4th Avenue Business Improvement Association.
He loves that the residents are so supportive of their neighbourhood and that Kits has become a destination in the city for shopping, dining or just soaking up the atmosphere.
Pedro Villalon, owner of O5 Tea Bar, at 4th and Yew (pictured), couldnt have imagined opening his boutique tea bar anywhere else in the city. He has personally visited many of the tea farms from which he acquires his fine teas and loves to share their stories with each steaming hot cup. I have met so many great people since weve opened. I love being in Kits.
Villalon also holds special events in the evenings at his shop, inviting customers in for delicious food and cocktails. Not that there is any shortage of great food on West 4th. Top Chef Canadas Trevor Bird opened Fable at West 4th and Cypress this past summer and Burgoo has expanded its celebration of the worlds best comfort food to West 4th and Vine.
With all this great food, staying in shape is accessible, too. Yyoga recently opened a brand new studio in the heart of Kits at West 4th and Cypress. The studio offers hundreds of classes to choose from and access to the infra red sauna so theres no excuse for not dropping in to a class. Different Bikes, at West 4th and Pine, opened a new location this past spring and is one of Canadas first Giant partner stores. They offer everything you need to keep to two wheels all year round from a selection of bikes, clothing, gear and a team of skilled mechanics.
Beyond yoga gear, West 4th Avenue has many boutique clothing stores to choose from Kate French, XO Bella and Leo Boutique all recently opened. Throughout the year, Kitsilanos 4th Avenue BIA has put together opportunities to enjoy shopping party evenings; most recently, Eat Shop Love for Moms in May was a hit.
West 4th Avenue has long been a shopping destination but its always getting better. Heres a list of the new stores and restaurants that have opened this year:
Ayoubs Dried Fruits & Nuts, 2048 W. 4th, dried fruits
and nuts
Burgoo, 272 W. 4th, restaurant
Clouds & Rainbows, 1946 W. 4th, cigars and pipes
Culprit Coffee, 2028 Vine, coffee/tea
Davids Tea, 230 W. 4th, tea
Different Bikes, 1717 W. 4th, bicycles
Doner Donair, 1956 W. 4th, restaurant
Escents Aromatherapy, 2202 W. 4th, home/aromatherapy
Fable, 1944 W. 4th, restaurant
Kate French Wear, 2352 W. 4th, womens fashion
Kits Physio & Osteo, 102-2078 West 4th, medical/wellness
Koodo Mobile, 2163 W. 4th, cellular phones
La Vita Dental Centre, 2259 West 4th, dentist
Leo Boutique, 2072 W. 4th, unisex fashion
Meuse Home & Living, 2005 W. 4th, home decor
No Frills Supermarket, 1680 W. 4th, grocery store
O5 Rare Tea Bar, 2208 W. 4th, tea
Pharmasave Home Health, 1855 W. 4th, medical/wellness
Spa On The Rocks, 2200 W. 4th, spa/esthetics
Spectus Eyewear, 2209 W. 4th, optical store
Spirit of Movement, 2076 W. 4th, childrens apparel
Stripped Wax Bar, 1990 W. 4th, waxing/esthetics
TD Canada Trust, 1911 W. 4th, financial services
Telus Mobility Retail, 2372 W. 4th, cellular phones
Urban Outfitters, 2199 W. 4th, unisex fashion
Vital Wellness, 1855 W. 4th, medical/wellness
XO Bella, 2294 W. 4th, womens fashion
Y Yoga, 1915 W. 4th, yoga studio
ShopWest4th.com
