This year, we saw the real impact of supporting local businesses in our communities.
Shopping and dining locally not only gives a lift to independent business owners, but it also supports the entire neighbourhood and the people within it.
Commercial Drive stands by the importance of supporting local. “The Drive” district in Mount Pleasant is home to East Vancouver’s most culturally-rich neighbourhood — including the city’s very own Little Italy, representing over six decades of Italian-Canadian heritage and culture across 8 blocks.
This season, the Drive is encouraging Vancouverites to support their local merchants, restaurateurs, and other East Van business owners along the district’s 22 blocks during the holidays.
To help get people into the local Christmas spirit, Commercial Drive has created a comprehensive online Christmas guide to shopping and dining on the Drive.
The Drive’s online directory lists out over 300 shops, restaurants, and businesses categorized in three sectors — Dining, Shopping, and Services — to highlight the quaint boutiques, specialty food stores, restaurants, and coffee houses that make up the neighbourhood.
Shopping on The Drive. Photo: Commercial Drive BIA.
SHOP
The eclectic shops of The Drive can cover all of your holiday shopping needs.
The People's Coop — Vancouver's (and Canada's) oldest independent bookstore — contains a vast library of books to choose from. For new and used vinyls and CDs, browse through the stacks of records at Audiopile. Or snag some skate gear for the skater girls and boys on your list over at The Drive Skate Shop.
Little Miss Vintage and Mintage are treasure troves for vintage clothes, accessories, and other retro pieces. Wander Exporium features sustainable home decor, ethical clothing, and other unique items from South East Asia.
For a one-of-a-kind gift, pick up the Pandemic Survival Kit from The Licorice Parlour, an old fashioned shop with over 100 types of imported licorice, handmade organic quinoa waffles, chocolates, hula hoops, and more.
Dining on The Drive. Photo: Commercial Drive BIA.
DINE
The diverse restaurants and cafes along Commercial Drive invite you to eat and drink and enjoy delicacies from all over the world.
Bandidas Taqueria serves familiar Mexican dishes with a creative spin and paired with local beers. Take advantage of Wing Wednesdays at Downlow Chicken Shack and the Italian brunch offerings at Sopra Sotto. You can travel (with your taste buds) to Ethiopia and Lebanon through the dishes at Harambe and Jamjar Canteen.
Be filled with joy (and sugar) from the freshly-baked goods and sweet treats from Oh Sweet Day! bake shop — where you can also find cookie and chocolate gift boxes for the holidays. Grab a coffee or tea over at Cafe Deux Soleils, Bump n Grind, or one of the many other cool cafes along the block.
Have a merry local Christmas when you shop and dine on The Drive!
Check out The Drive’s Online Christmas Guide to see what merchants have in store this holiday season. Be sure to visit Commercial Drive on Instagram and Facebook for more info.
