“Breakfast tomorrow?” Laura and I both texted each other when we found out the news. One favourite local breakfast cafe is closing its doors this weekend after 17 years. Within 12 hours of the text, we were sitting in the steamy window of The Spot Cafe on Denman, watching the rain with a cup of coffee in hand.
The Spot Cafe on Denman is Closing
The Spot Cafe: 805 Denman St at Robson in Vancouver
I received an email to my website contact form a few minutes before I alerted Laura to the news. A reader kindly informed me that the much-loved West End cafe was closing and they hoped I could spread the word.
To the passer-by, the only indication of this weekend’s closure is a “For Lease” sign on the corner window. That is, until you step inside.
At a small table there is a handwritten sign about the closure, and a poster board where patrons and neighbours can leave well-wishes for the owners. It’s a family-run business, a literal mom and pop operation, that will be sorely missed in this neighbourhood.
The sign above the poster says: “Feel free to say thanks for the last 17 years. The Spot Cafe retires end of the month.” I asked at the counter when I ordered my two eggs any style breakfast if it was closing at the end of October or this weekend like my email stated, and discovered it’s this weekend.
I have many fond memories of breakfasts at The Spot, with family and friends, like this morning when Laura and I chatted about life and work, while local radio played and the #5 bus splashed around the corner every few minutes.
So, my dear readers, I encourage you to visit this little cafe on the corner of Robson and Denman (the “best corner in the city!” according to one note on the poster board) and have a home-style breakfast or lunch before it is gone for good.
The Birthplace of BC has a lot of stories to tell, and quite the sordid history to share. What better time than Halloween to hear tales of love, mysterious burials, and hair-raising amputations during Fort Langley National Historic Site’s annual Grave Tales Historic Walking Tours. Enjoy this event and some more family friendly activities this Halloween in Fort Langley.
Halloween in Fort Langley
Grave Tales
When: On now until November 3, 2019 Where: Fort Langley National Historic Site (23433 Mavis Ave, Langley City) Tickets: Grave Tales tickets available in advance online Grave Tales is a historic walking tour through the village of Fort Langley, ending inside the historic Big House inside the fort. Heritage Interpreters tell tales of misfortune in Fort Langley’s cemeteries, streets, and inside the Hudson’s Bay Company fort. For youth who would like a taste of Grave Tales, a youth edition (available at 6:00pm) is available for the family audience.
Halloween at the Fort When: Saturday, October 27, 2019 from 10:00am to 5:00pm Where: Fort Langley National Historic Site (23433 Mavis Ave, Langley City) Admission: This event is geared toward young families and is free with your annual pass and for youth age 17 and younger. Adults are $7.80 and seniors are $6.55. Try pumpkin bowling, trick-or-treat at some of our historic buildings and enjoy the scenic setting with your little ones in their Halloween costumes.
Daily Fall Activities
At the Fort, visitors can expect a guided tour at 11:00am and 3:00pm daily on weekdays. There are White Glove tours with curators every Monday and Friday at 2:30pm. On weekends, there’s the “Fort Langley 101” introductory tour. A coopering demonstration will take place at 11:00am. Feature presentations highlighting the stories of Fort Langley’s original inhabitants (the boat builders, fur traders, farmers or families). At 3:00pm, watch the sparks fly in the Fire Program. Whether there’s a show on blacksmithing or baking, interpreters will definitely spark your interest with this demonstration. Weekend days close with the lowering of the flag at 4:30pm.
About Fort Langley
Built in 1827, Fort Langley was a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post. Located on the banks of the Fraser River, it was once part of a trade route for the British Empire at the centre of a large population of Indigenous people.
Fort Langley served as part of a network of fur trade forts operating in the New Caledonia and Columbia Districts (now British Columbia and northern Washington). The fort maintained a good and peaceful trade in furs, salmon, and even cranberries with the local native inhabitants.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Portobello West Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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There are pieces that I recall all the time from when Portobello West did a pop-up and I can’t even fathom the new (expanded) shopping list I’ll have after I attend the full, fabulous Portobello West Holiday Market coming up November 9 & 10.
Portobello West Holiday Market
Shop from a highly curated market of 70+ local vendors ranging from unisex sustainable slow fashion, hand soldered and forged jewelry, hand painted illustrations & home decor, organic skincare, locally made cider, spirits & wine, gourmet treats and much more. There will also be live music and food trucks on site!
When: Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, 2019
11:00am to 6:00pm each day
Where: The Roundhouse Community Centre (Yaletown – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver)
The first 20 people in line both days will receive a limited edition Portobello West canvas tote filled with swag from ALL of the 70+ vendors (value $150 each, one per family, must be 19+).
Holiday Market Vendors:
Jeweller AJGreen
Watson Goods Co.
BAM Woodworks
jocelynisyellow
Wood Once Again
Arraei Collective
Leftover Hippies Incense
Hand and Sew Keychains
House of Rose Winery
Bali Bites
Wet Coast Naturals Ltd.
PURE + WILD CO.
Howling Dog Artisan Jewellery
Pink Bee Honey
Little Fox Apothecary
PURE + WILD CO.
The True Nosh Company
The Woods Spirit Company
Jessica’s Gourmet Alfajores
Solasta Chocolate Inc
irit sorokin designs
Leah Yard Designs
Beth and Olivia Handmade
Pley Clothes
Atelier Eli
Just Needling
Salt Spring Wild Cider
Earth Paws Pet Products
Aji Gourmet Products Ltd.
JUNCO design
Ambleside Soap
BLACK SØLV
COCONAMA CHOCOLATE
Melt Confectionary
SoftSoul
NOVEL SUPPLY CO.
Ca Croustille Bakery
ebbandflo designs
Guineapig Handknits
Threaded Needle Design
Elderberry Grove
olympia komianos goldsmith
Old’s Cool Designs
Madelaine Mongey Ceramics
Bee Kind Co.
Goat & Pebble Co.
pacific north west prints
Nusnus Children’s Apparel
Karyn Chopik Studio Ltd.
Studio Shae
Orchid Designs
The SHOOFIE Company
Skwálwen Botanicals
Emily Sheppard
Pineapple Cat Studio
Roberto Fioravanti Jewellery
Jane’s Honey Bees
ThresholdPaperARt
Greige
petitTembo
happi dani
Blaks Botanicals
3 j’s Smokehouse – island Jerky
Moni Candle & Co.
glasea
John died
Handmade by Chris & Kris
Quilts by Belle
Personal Touch
If you would like to win your own swag bag, I also have a Portobello West tote filled with goodies to give away (value $150). The winner will also receive 4 tickets to attend the Holiday Market. Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @PortobelloWest Holiday Market prize pack (value $185) http://ow.ly/NDp030pM3sj” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 10:00am on October 31, 2019. UPDATE The winner is Donna Petroff!
This weekend Miss604 is proud to be a sponsor of the Spark Animation Festival & Conference‘s Mothers of a Medium, women in animation film showcase. Over the next three days you can also enjoy Halloween events, a horror show film festival, spooky walking tours, theatrical productions and more. Find all of these events and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend Oct 25-27, 2019
When: October 17th to October 31st 12:00pm to 7:00pm Where: Tsawwassen Mills, 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen
This is the second year Tsawwassen Mills is hosting their epic Monster Maze, offering an alternative to the typical weather-dependent outdoor events being offered around the city. This experience allows visitors to not only shop and dine at the mall’s many vendors, but experience a family-friendly Halloween event.
Including the pop-up Halloween shop, Mr. Halloween, the Monster Maze will also feature a pumpkin patch with proceeds from the sale of each pumpkin going to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation. Other attractions will include an indoor Halloween maze, contests, and activations with prize winnings totalling over $10,000.
Wrapping up on the 31st, Tsawwassen Mills will finale the 14 day Halloween event with a costume contest, trick or treating course, and further contests and promotions.
With an exceptional mix of premium fashion brands, factory outlet and first-to-market retailers, Tsawwassen Mills presents a unique shopping opportunity for Metro Vancouverites with brands like Saks Off Fifth, Artizia, Marc Cain, The Outlet by Harry Rosen, Lululemon Athletica, Nike Factory Store, Designer Shoe Warehouse, and so many more. The Tsawwassen Mills Food Hall features 1200sq of unique offerings, including Chachi’s, Hula Poke, and Barcelo’s, or visit ‘Restaurant Row’ to enjoy a sit-down meal at Milestones, Montana’s or Boston Pizza. For more information follow Tsawwassen Mills on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
