Corner stores and more!
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The City of Vancouver is exploring ways to support existing and new corner stores, and other small-scale shops and services in residential areas.
Vancouver used to have lots of shops and services sprinkled throughout its neighbourhoods. At their peak, in the 1920s, there were approximately 260 active corner stores. However, when the first zoning bylaw was introduced, these stores were seen as less desirable, and planning regulations made them hard to build. The number of stores has been declining ever since.
Over the last few decades, there has been a renewed interest in supporting corner stores. Some small changes to zoning regulations have been made, but there is the opportunity to do more.
More recently, in 2022, Council approved the Vancouver Plan – a long-range strategy to guide growth and change in the city. One of the core objectives of the Plan is the creation of more complete neighbourhoods, where people have easy access to daily and weekly needs. Corner stores could play a role in helping to achieve that goal.
Get involved!
Our fall 2023 survey is now closed; however our digital mapping feature will remain open for a few more days. If you've got a story to share about a favourite corner store, click on the "Map" tab below and follow the instructions.
For more on the corner store project, read our background materials under Related Documents (English only).
Your feedback will be used to inform future policy and regulatory changes expected to take place in 2024. Results from this engagement process will be available later this year.
Corner Store Map
What’s your favourite corner store in Vancouver, and why? Share your memories about a cherished current or former store using our StoryMap feature. Find the store on the map, drop a pin, and add your reflections. You can click on the map to find out more about an existing or former store. Green dots are neighourhood grocery stores, blue dots are other small scale neighbourhood commercial, and red dots are deactivated commerical or stores that are no longer open.
Note: this map was compiled through a review of current business and historical data. It provides an inventory of all known small-scale stores and services in residentially zoned areas of the city. The map does not include any demolished stores, or stores/services that are located in commercially zoned areas.
Share a story - instructions
- Use the map to find the corner store in question.
- Click on the "Add Pin (+)" button on the left side of your screen, then drag and drop the pin on or near the store you want to talk about. You'll then have the opportunity to share a memory. You can also upload a photo (or other image) if you want!
- Are we missing a corner store? Drop a pin on the approximate location of the store and let us know the details.
- Click "Submit" when you are finished.
- Add as many pins and stories as you like!
You can share your stories until October 10, 2023.
Are there any errors or omissions in the map? Send us an email at cornerstores@vancouver.ca.
