In July of 2008, Vancouver got its very first Crumpler store, which had laptop and camera users rejoicing. The coveted Crumpler messenger bags, backpacks, camera bags, satchels, straps, wallets and other accessories for your tech on-the-go were available to peruse in Gastown. At the time, my friend John Biehler stated that “This is the next […]

Before you gasp in disbelief as City crews patch potholes on Water Street with asphalt, covering and replacing what look like historic cobblestone bricks, you should know that they are actually a product of an early disco era. The concrete pavers were put in place 40 years ago in an effort to preserve Gastown’s history, […]

Last week Vancouver Public Spaces Network and Space2Place hosted their first Lunch Meet. An immediate success, trending city-wide on Twitter, this free outdoor event will take place every Thursday in July. The concept is simple, head to the 300 block of Abbott Street (at Cordova) anytime between 11:30am and 1:30pm to meet a neighbour, eat […]

The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix returns to the streets of Vancouver July 11, 2012. Coming off a 3-year hiatus, this race is one of the most famous in Canada and it attracts North America’s best cyclists. Gastown Grand Prix 2006 Photo by Greg Descantes For spectators, it’s a free festival where crowds can line […]

There are few things I enjoy more than being a tourist in my own hometown and when I’m offered the chance to experience the city like a visitor it’s rare that I’ll pass it up. Last week, I was invited to participate in the Taste Vancouver Food Tour’s Gastown Tour. Meeting up with ten others, […]

UPDATE 2022: The Gassy Jack statue has been toppled during the Women’s Memorial March. UPDATE 2016: This is an important read: “Indigenous activists say the story of Gassy Jack is missing sordid details.” Captain John “Gassy Jack” Deighton is a local legend and namesake for the area of downtown Vancouver known as Gastown. The Gassy […]

John “Gassy Jack” Deighton had a saloon in New Westminster but it wasn’t until he headed around to the Burrard Inlet that he left an indelible mark on our city. In 1867 he told mill workers along the harbour that they could have all the whiskey they could drink if they helped him build a […]

The 6th annual Gastown Motorcycle Show n’ Shine happens this coming Sunday, August 15th 2010 on the streets of Gastown. The historic neighbourhood will be closed to traffic between Carrall and Richards as it hosts Vancouver’s largest motorcycle show. Photo credit: Stephen Dyrgas Confirmed manufacturers on-site include BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Hit-Air, Big Bear […]

33 years ago today Harbour Centre was officially opened and at 481 feet, it was the tallest building in Vancouver at the time.1 Harbour Centre is the home of The Vancouver Lookout, a revolving restaurant, a mall, various businesses and tech firms, as well as one of SFU‘s downtown campuses. In 1977 it was called […]

Yesterday a crowd gathered in what used to be Workspace to welcome Disney’s Pixar animation studio to Gastown. The Georgia Straight took some video at the event which you can view on YouTube. Thanks to the Province of BC for also sharing their video of the event on YouTube and including the cute introduction that […]