When Kevin Kelly decided to turn his love for skateboarding into a business, he opened Blvd Skateshop in Kerrisdale.
Not surprisingly, Kellys entrepreneurial paean to a youthful subculture wasnt quite the right fit for the neighborhood. I stuck out like a sore thumb, he says with a laugh.
And so, in 2009 he moved the business to Commercial Drive, where theres never been a shortage of people trying crazy ideas.
He fit right in.
A melting pot of cultures, communities and ages, The Drive has a vibe and energy that pulses at the heart of East Vancouver. Passersby made sure they stopped by the store to say hello and welcome to the neighborhood. People thanked him for opening a business there. And, of course, skateboarders loved being able to shop for boards, clothes and shoes so close to one of their favourite places to try them out China Creek skatepark.
Its a bit of a coming home for Kelly, who grew up in North Delta but whose grandparents house still stands on Adanac Street. He lived for 10 years on Davie Street, and the two streets have the same feel.
And even though The Drive has become a destination for people who live outside the neighbourhood, it has kept its sense of realness because its not only a place to shop. Its where you live and eat and go to the chiropractors.
But the very characteristics that make it a liveable area are also making it a more expensive one for shop owners. Landlords can demand higher rents as the neighbourhoods popularity grows, making it more difficult for mom-and-pop (or skateboarder dude) shops to thrive. So-called anarchist groups are targetting some of the very people who are trying to make a go of it.
Often theyre targetting the business owners but its the commercial landlords causing this shift in the look and feel of The Drive, says Kelly.
While there will always be gentrification pressures on the neighbourhood, I think its always going to be The Drive. There will always be people like myself that will take the plunge.
Here are a few of Kellys favourite places on Commercial Drive.
Gramma Publications (2089 Commercial): Kelly goes to him for all of his photocopying and printing needs. The owner will drop things off at the shop.
High Fidelty Hair, formerly the Chop Shop (1035 Commercial): Its close, its got a neighbourhood feel and the haircuts are great.
Donalds Market (2279 Commercial): Good selection and good prices.
La Mezcaleria restaurant (1622 Commercial): Its amazing. No favourites yet because I havent gone through the whole menu.
Falconettis East Side Grill (1812 Commercial): A great place to go for drinks.
Photo credit: Laura McGuire
