Strathcona Brewery Week is a week-long showcase to celebrate the thriving brewery scene in Strathcona.

June 6 to 12, everyone is invited to come experience Strathcona breweries, win prizes, and discover what Strathcona has to offer.

From June 6 – 12 the Strathcona BIA presents Strathcona Brewery Week, a week-long celebration of our thriving brewery scene here in Strathcona. Beer lovers and adventure-goers alike are encouraged to stop by one of our top-notch breweries, grab a drink, do some brewery trivia, and discover some of the best fun that the Strathcona neighbourhood has to offer.

With some of Vancouver’s best local breweries participating, including Superflux, Strathcona Beer, Luppolo and more, you’re sure to find an incredible IPA or luscious lager to satisfy your taste buds. Each one of Strathcona’s breweries has a unique and inviting environment and plenty of food and drinks to keep your spirits high.

Here are a few ways we’re celebrating this wonderful sector in Strathcona.

Brewery Trivia & Giveaways

Win a couple of beers on us by taking part in our Strathcona Brewery Week Trivia! Test your local brewery knowledge  and fill out our Strathcona Brewery Trivia to be entered to win one of 20 $20 gift cards to participating breweries. You’ll also find access to the quiz through a QR code when you visit participating breweries. Increase the stakes and challenge your friends – lowest score should get the next round, don’t you think?

Grand Prize Giveaway with Do604

We’ve partnered up with Do604 for a grand prize giveaway valued at $250. Win five $50 gift cards to participating Strathcona breweries and have yourself the most incredible brewery hop of the summer! All you have to do is head to the contest page to enter.

Get the inside scoop on the latest beers and events

Joe Leary and Rick Mohabir from the “Just Here for the Beer” radio show and podcast caught up with brewers in Strathcona for a dedicated show in celebration of Strathcona Brewery week. The podcast will be shared here during Strathcona Brewery Week. Have a listen and get the latest scoop on the exciting beers and awesome events our local breweries have coming up that you don’t want to miss.

And finally, follow along @madeinstrathcona for feature videos and stories from our breweries all week long.

Plan your Strathcona Brewery Week Itinerary.

See participating breweries below. Cheers!

Where: 1216 Franklin Street

About: Industrial-chic brewpub with a two-level tasting room and lounge, plus one of the best outdoor brewery patios in the city. Munch on eats from the Burdy food truck, including their legendary Chicken Parm sandwich.

What We’re Sipping: Frostbite. This Frozen Fresh Hop Cold IPA combines the smooth drinkability of a lager with the sharp hoppy impact of an IPA. Ultra clean and crushable.

Coming Up: On June 18th Container Brewing is hosting an outdoor patio party featuring a ton of small businesses, makers, and artisans. This is a free event where you can take part in enjoying local craft beer, food, and vendors all in one spot. Visit the ticket link here to claim your free ticket!

drinkcontainer.beer

Where: 1123 Venables Street

About: Your home away from home in the East Van brewery district. Enjoy their craft beers and delicious food – including incredible pizza by Mordimi Bite of Italy – in a warm and welcoming environment. The cozy outdoor patio is not to be missed.

What We’re Sipping: La Piazza. This Italian Pilsner is brewed with 100% pilsner malt and dry-hopped with a moderate dose of Hallertau to create a balance of malt sweetness, a floral and resinous hop profile and balanced sweetness. Enjoy it in the traditional “slow pour” style.

Coming Up: Keep an eye on their Instagram for event announcements. Most Wednesdays you’ll find live music in the tasting room, always free and all ages!

luppolobrewing.ca

Where: 403 E Hastings Street

About: A classic pub atmosphere, you’ll find a great selection of quality classic pub food that’s affordable, tasty beers brewed onsite (the original pub has been brewing in Strathcona since 2006!), and warm and friendly service.

What We’re Sipping: Pat’s Classic Lager. This is the original brew from 2006, one of the earliest Vancouver craft brews. A crisp, easy-drinking, Vienna style lager that always satisfies.

Coming Up: Keep an eye on their Instagram for event announcements. Over the years they’ve been home to a fabulous jazz live music scene.

hastingsmillbrewing.com

Where: 55 Dunlevy Avenue

About: Brewing from the historic Settlement Building, this brewery is a place of collaboration, innovation, and fermenting friendships. Enjoy their beers at neighbouring Belgard Kitchen, or pick-up beers to-go from their retail shop. Beer, wine, ciders – they produce it all here, so there are no shortage of delicious beverages to keep you coming back.

What We’re Sipping: Elder Moon. This Belgium Witbier just won an award at the Canadian Brewing Awards, and is the zesty, floral, refreshing brew that your summer needs.

Coming Up: We like to hit up Settlement Brewing for Happy Hour Tues-Fri 3pm to 6pm, or Monday for ALL DAY happy hour!

settlementbrewing.com

Where: 895 E Hastings Street

About: World-class brewery right in the heart of Strathcona. The brewery focuses towards traditional European styles, global IPA styles, fruit beers, radlers and seasonal offerings. Their gourmet pizza is a neighbourhood favourite!

What We’re Sipping: Imperial Love Buzz Strawberry Rhubarb Sour. An Imperial Sour Ale made with generous amounts of strawberry, rhubarb puree, with a touch of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla and lactose. For fruit and tart lovers, this is the ticket.

Coming Up: Can’t get enough of the Love Buzz series? In anticipation of summer three new flavours are launching soon, including Love Buzz Guava Lemon, Imperial Love Buzz Five Alive, and Love Buzz Peach Pineapple.

strathconabeer.com

Where: 505 Clark Drive

About: The newest brewery to open in the Strathcona area, and already a go-to top choice for many. They’re known for their finely crafted IPAs, dry hopped beers, and eye-catching branding. Their unique food menu of gourmet hot dogs, salads, and fun snacks will keep you intrigued and satisfied. Enjoy beers from their luxurious

What We’re Sipping: Coconuts. An IPA with loads of freshly toasted coconuts added. Heavily dry hopped with Citra and Vic Secret hops. A heavenly combination that you should definitely get your hands on when available!

Coming Up: New beer releases left, right, and centre! Keep an eye on their Instagram to stay up to date with the latest.

superfluxbeer.com

ABOUT THE STRATHCONA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (SBIA)

The Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA) operates on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. It extends from Clark Drive in the east, Gore Avenue in the west, Venables Street in the south and Railway Street in the north. The SBIA employs staff and is governed by an elected Board of Directors made up of business members from across the community. Our vision is for Strathcona members to thrive in a mixed-use, inclusive, resilient and prosperous local economy. 1220 East Hastings Street, Vancouver BC  V6A 1S6 | 604-258-2727

Become a fan of /StrathconaBIA on Facebook and follow @StrathconaBIA on Twitter and @madeinstrathcona on Instagram for more Strathcona Brewery Week stories and features.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Strathcona Business Improvement Association

Johanna Lauyanto | 604-258-2727 | johanna@strathconabia.com

A directory of automotive businesses currently operating in Strathcona.

Strathcona is one of the best areas in Vancouver for auto services. There are many businesses in Strathcona dedicated to the automotive industry that provide services ranging from vehicle repair to motorcycle retail to taxi services. 

We’re shedding light on our auto community with a directory of Strathcona businesses dedicated to cars, trucks, and automobiles. Strathcona is the place to come for any of your auto needs. If you’re looking for vehicle repair and regular maintenance, check out one of the auto repair shops below. You’ll also find several auto body shops that specialize in bodywork repair after a car accident. If motorcycles or electric scooters are your thing, you can find businesses here that sell, repair, and offer maintenance for scooters and motorcylces.

If you are an automotive business in Strathcona and would like to be added to the list please contact info@strathconabia.com

Auto repair shop specializing in good & honest auto repair. Government certified Red Seal technicians.

 675 Clark Dr

artsauto.ca

ICBC-approved Glass Express facility that produces your glass claim in shop.

636 Clark Dr

avenueautoglass.ca

Auto repair shop on Clark Drive.

526 Clark Dr

ICBC Express Valet shop. Offers free estimates and courtesy cars.

1043 Union St

facebook.com/Commit-Autobody-Ltd

High-performance electric motorcylces that recharge you. Motorcycles that adapt to you, to the traffic, and every heart-pounding road you ride.

704 Alexander St

damon.com

#1 Powersports Dealership in British Columbia. Authorized Suzuki, Yamaha & Zero Motorcycle Dealership.

837 E Cordova St

daytonamotorsports.ca

Gin Auto Service Ltd serves automotive vehicles, and they can help when you need it.

696 Clark Dr

Auto repair shop.

731 Glen Dr.

h-k-auto-repair-inc.edan.io

Icy Cool is a full-service automotive repair center with over 20 years hands-on experience in Lower Mainland.

530 Clark Dr

icycoolauto.com

 Committed to auto repair and to serving you with quality and value. 

1281 Frances St

imperialautobodyshop.com

Auto repair shop servicing mechanical, electrical, glass and body repairs to your vehicles.

758 Alexander St

 Convenient shopping options and in-store experts for specialized requests. Get the help you need at your local Lordco Auto Parts. 

882 E Cordova

lordco.com

One-stop-shop for easy, warranty-approved auto care.

1291 E Hastings St

local.mrlube.com

Auto repair shop. Soares Auto is your local specialist in Vancouver for any brake repair, tire change, oil change, and they perform car repairs and regular maintenance. 

1283 E Hastings St

napaautopro.com/soares-auto-repair/

Independent local automotive repair shop on the corner of Hawks Avenue and Powell.

794 Powell St

facebook.com/Vancouver-Auto-Centre

Taxi service in Vancouver. Vancouver’s first accessible taxi company features modern up to date comfortable vehicles that accommodate most mobility devices.

790 Clark Dr

vancouvertaxi.cab

Vancouver’s only authorized #Vespa and Piaggio scooter dealership.

590 Clark Dr

vespametro.com

At the north end of Strathcona and the DTES, you’ll find the sub-district of Railtown, a creative industrial area home to a multitude of businesses, artist studios, and unique spaces. Railtown runs from Gore Ave to Heatley Ave, bound by the railway tracks and waterfront to the north, and Alexander Street to the south. You may have passed through Railtown before, or seen some of the stark white buildings cross your Instagram feed, but there’s a lot more to learn and discover about this corner of the city than initially meets the eye. 

The currents of cultural history run criss-cross, deep, and dynamic through this area. Railtown is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose cultures and economies shaped the land since time immemorial – hundreds of years before the first settler establishments and industrial businesses were built here. This area was also part and parcel of the historic heart of the Japanese Canadian community before they faced dispossession and internment during the Second World War. The area continues to be a culturally important centre for the Japanese Canadian community today. The area’s incredible history and distinct historical buildings bring a character to Railtown that doesn’t quite feel like anywhere else in Vancouver. 

Today in Railtown you’ll find a hub of apparel companies, globally recognized design firms, furniture manufacturers and a whole host of other multifaceted businesses, including electronic music producers. There’s a lot going on here to open your eyes to, and we’ve pulled together a list of things you likely didn’t know about Railtown to get you inspired. 

Read on for a list of 10 Things You Likely Didn’t Know About Railtown below.

1. The Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall founded in 1906 and located at 487 Alexander St in Railtown is a Canadian National Historic Site. It’s a centre for multicultural education and cultural community programs and a powerful symbol of community strength and resilience. It’s the only property among any Japanese Canadian citizen or organization to retain rightful ownership after the Second World War.
2. The first school in Vancouver, opened in 1873, was the Hastings Sawmill School at the foot of Dunlevy Avenue. The school supported the families of workers at the lumber mill. The mill and surrounding buildings are no longer there, but the Hastings Mill General Store was preserved and moved by barge to Point Grey in 1931. It’s now the Old Hastings Mill Store Museum.
3. In 1986 Railtown residents successfully lobbied for policies to allow artists live-work privileges in warehouse studios, the first of its kind in Canada. The new regulations prompted the conversion and construction of new live-work buildings in the area.

4. Railtown’s Settlement Building at 55 Dunlevy Ave was built in 1923 as a steel foundry manufacturing machinery parts. Today, it is home to Vancouver Urban Winery, Belgard Kitchen, and Settlement Brewing.

5. 611 Alexander, sometimes referred to as the Alexander Centre, used to be home to the American Can Company. At its height, the fish canning plant produced over 350 million cans annually. In 1988 the building was repurposed as a reimagined commercial and artistic space with multiple business spaces. Today it’s home to the SFU School of Contemporary Arts, Aritiza’s head offices, and many other design and textile firms.

6. Railtown is the only area where you have ‘Creative Products Manufacturing’ zoning in the city, which is why so many unique creative businesses are located here. This zoning was designed to support Railtown’s evolving creative economy, in particular businesses focused on the creation, development, prototyping, and production of design products in physical or digital form.

7. Railtown is a hub for clothing design and prototyping, housing head offices for companies like Aritzia, Herschel, and soon to be Haven. You’ll also find boutique apparel companies like Park & Fifth, who handcraft modern, elegant dresses for weddings and special occasions.

8. Railtown is home to globally recognized design firms creating exquisite furnishings, like Bensen Manufacturing, Bocci, and Hinterland Design. From the contemporary and elegant furniture pieces of Bensen to the hand-sculpted large scale light installations of Bocci, these companies have helped give Vancouver an international name in the design world.

9. Railtown will soon see new developments that will build on the existing industrial and creative assets of this neighbourhood, creating a lot of new opportunities for more creative businesses to come to the area. Some of the exciting developments coming soon to Railtown include the inspiring Maker Exchange at 488 Railway and a new creative centre at 411 Railway. 

10. Recently completed BENCH Railtown at 353 Railways St is Railtown’s first new strata commercial light industrial development in over 50 years. It’s designed to be a collaborative micro-community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators, who leverage their collective energies to forge new ideas, technologies and products.

Let us share about a special pocket of Strathcona.

Nestled east of Raymur Ave and south of East Hastings Street you’ll find a pocket of Strathcona with a special sense of community. Known by some as the Kiwassa district of Strathcona, the railroad tracks act as a borderline to a unique mix of industrial businesses, residential homes (including many heritage homes), artist spaces, and Admiral Seymour Elementary School. 

There’s a rich history of resiliency and creativity here. The iconic Militant Mothers Raymur Overpass connects the area for pedestrians to the west of Strathcona. It symbolizes the strength and integrity that has always been a part of this neighbourhood’s character. Many of the commercial buildings in the area have an illustrious past of being home to hardworking family-owned and operated businesses. A legacy of past and current artist spaces is synonymous with the area. Many artists and creatives in the neighbourhood have long participated in the Eastside Culture Crawl, an initiative of the Eastside Arts Society who help build capacity for artists and promote space for arts and culture as a cornerstone of community development.  

And there’s more excitement in store for the future. 

An exciting development is coming to the area, designed to fit harmoniously into the industrial and creative fabric of the community. Assembly Strathcona, located directly across from Admiral Seymour Elementary School, is bringing courtyard-style residential units set over 11 new merchant spaces inspired by Bauhaus design. The commercial spaces are aimed at creating an inspiring workspace for retail, office, and creative industrial users. Assembly is poised to become a creative hub for artists, makers, and creative agencies alike and we can’t wait to welcome them to the Kiwassa area of Strathcona.

Assembly has already confirmed three brand new businesses who will be joining the neighbourhood. They all have one thing in common and that’s a focus on creative work – whether it’s jewelry-making, design or branding. We’re excited to see what kind of other creative businesses Assembly will house in the near future.

Keep reading for a list of current businesses coming to Assembly in 2023.

loverstempo.com

Whether you’re getting dressed for your 9-5, a Saturday night out, or the special event of the year—Lover’s Tempo wants you to feel your finest.

They offer beautiful, delightful jewelry at accessible prices, so that everyday, and every occasion can feel a little romantic.

Why Strathcona: “We wanted a space and community that reflected our creativity. We were longing for a place we could gather with other like-minded businesses”

carterhales.com

A branding agency. Visual identity, digital, and packaging for companies that aren’t afraid to be interesting. Remarkable designers doing award-winning work that gets ambitious brands noticed.

Why Strathcona: “We have plans to expand our business to showcase and promote artists, design-driven products and the creative economy. We plan to do this by creating a gallery and creative hub at Assembly. We are surrounded by so much creative talent that could benefit from having their stories told and a space to showcase them”

roodenburg.com

Roodenburg Design Consultants works locally and internationally with governments, NGOs, and companies to advance social progress through design, branding and communication campaigns.

Why Strathcona: “The mix of industrial, retail and residential at Assembly reflects the neighborhood environment, so being a part of the building feels integrated with the community and fits with our design firm’s mentality of being a part of things at a local level.”

More About Assembly:

“Assembly is a boutique community offering 11 commercial strata units below 40 courtyard townhomes and condominiums. The Bauhaus-inspired design reflects a synthesis of multiple art forms aimed at creating an inspiring workspace for retail, office and creative industrial users. The clean lines and industrial design elements honor the history of the neighborhood while re-imagining what future workspace can be. Assembly is located in the burgeoning area of Strathcona, one of Vancouver’s oldest and unique neighborhoods with a deep history in industry and creativity. Assembly is the prototype for the ultimate live-work lifestyle, minutes from downtown Vancouver but far enough away to appreciate the fabric of an authentic neighbourhood. Assembly will be Strathcona’s premier opportunity for innovators and professionals alike with a mission to remain genuine to the community it resides in.”

For more information on available commercial spaces please visit Assembly’s website.

Lunar New Year, also commonly called Chinese New Year, is a New Year’s celebration that is celebrated in China and throughout various Asian countries aligning with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for 15 days and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. 

Fireworks, dancing, food and family are key elements throughout the holidays, leading into the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year’s celebrations. This is when lanterns begin to light up family homes, and traditional foods are prepared and enjoyed and loved ones gather to celebrate a new year. 

Vancouver, and more specifically Strathcona, is an area rich with Asian heritage and culture embedded into many parts of our neighborhood including our grocery stores, restaurants, and vendors. 

For this year’s Lunar New Year, which begins on Tuesday, February 1, we wanted to highlight some of the incredible creators, restaurants, recipes, and Strathcona-made products and establishments that contribute to the spectacular diversity that makes Vancouver so unique. 

Read on to discover more!

5 Color Radiance and Abundance Vegan Tofu Stir Fry 五彩金銀滿屋豆乾小炒王 with @instanomss

We teamed up with Vancouver food-blogger @instanomss to showcase a plant-based Tofu Stir Fry that is worthy of repeat meals during Lunar New Year. Using Sunrise Soya Marinated Tofu, she creates a bright and meaningful dish that symbolizes good fortune, radiance, and abundance. The colourful combination of the five key ingredients remind us of the colourful lights and fireworks that are often displayed during Lunar New Year celebrations. 

Sunrise Soya Foods was founded in 1956 by Leslie and Susan Joe after immigrating to Vancouver and recognizing a demand for tofu in Vancouver’s Chinese community. They began by making small batches of fresh tofu in the back of their grocery store, Sunrise Market, which led to them being a current staple in Canadian households in 2022. 

@instanomms is a Vancouver based creator who creates Asian inspired recipes with a focus on plant-based ingredients, healthy family, wellness, and sustainability. The Vegan Tofu Stir-fry recipe uses colourful vegetables that each have a special colour symbolism for Lunar New Year. Find the full recipe and more at Nomss.com 

Lunar New Year Dim Sum at Pink Pearl Restaurant with @nomsmag

Pink Pearl is the go-to spot in Strathcona for authentic Chinese food and when it comes to Lunar New Year, it is a must for dim sum. Noms Magazine contributors take readers through the must-order dishes from Pink Pearl for your dim sum feast including Har Gao (Shrimp Dumplings), Sui Mai (Pork Shrimp Dumplings), Daan Tat, Cheung Fun (Rice Rolles), Cha Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Bun), Lo Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf), and more! 

Find out about Noms Magazine’s experience at Pink Pearl and why this special place oozes with nostalgia on their blog or watch a video from their experience on Instagram.

Making Tangyuan from ingredients at Sunrise Market with @constellationinspiration

For a special Lunar New Year treat, we teamed up with @constellationinspiration to create Tangyuan, a sweet glutinous rice ball in hot broth that is traditionally served during the Lantern Festival on the last day of Lunar New Year. The auspicious rice balls symbolize family and togetherness. For this recipe, ingredients were sourced from Sunrise Market in Strathcona. This family-owned and operated grocery store has been operating for over six decades and continues to foster a great sense of community in the neighbourhood.  

@constellationinspiration is a Vancouver creator who develops incredible dessert and treat recipes inspired by seasonal flavours and Asian culture. She shared her Tangyuan recipe for our readers below. See a video of how they were made on her Instagram, and find more delicious recipes on her blog.

Peanut Glutinous Rice Ball Recipe by @constellationinspiration

Makes 20 – 24 rice balls

Glutinous rice balls, or tangyuan, are a popular dessert for Lunar New Year. The pronunciation of the name tangyuan sounds like tuanyuan, the Chinese word for ‘togetherness.’ Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration, with this year’s beginning on Feb 1. Tangyuan is usually consumed on the last day, which is celebrated as the Lantern Festival. The key ingredient for these tender rice balls is glutinous rice flour (don’t mix it up with regular rice flour!), which give it it’s signature chew. These rice balls are filled with peanut but black sesame is another popular filling. All ingredients for this recipe can be found at Sunrise Market in Strathcona.

FOR THE FILLING:

• 50 g (1/3 cup) roasted peanuts
• 40 g (3 tbsp) granulated sugar
• 90 g (3 tbsp) creamy peanut butter

FOR THE DOUGH:

• 175 g (1 ¼ cups) glutinous rice flour, plus more as needed 
• 160ml (2/3 cup) boiling water

GINGER SOUP

• 473ml (2 cups) water
• 100g (½ cup) rock sugar or granulated sugar
• a few slices ginger

Make the filling:

Using a food processor or by hand, finely chop roasted peanuts. Add sugar and peanut butter to the chopped peanuts. Mix until combined. 

Portion filling into 20 small balls and transfer to a plate or baking sheet. Transfer balls into the freezer to firm up while you make the wrapper. 

Make the dough:

Add glutinous rice flour to a large bowl. Slowly stream in boiling water while mixing with a rubber spatula. Mix flour and got water until smooth. Once the dough is no longer to hot to the touch, knead the dough for 3 minutes. Portion out dough evenly into 20 pieces.

Remove the filling from the freezer.

Take a piece of dough and using your fingers, press the dough until it becomes a 2-inch round disc. Place a piece of the filling into the centre and pinch seams shut and roll between palms of hands until smooth. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough.

In a large pot of boiling water, cook rice balls until they float to the top, about 8 – 10 minutes. 

Make the ginger soup:

While the rice balls are cooking in the large pot, bring water to boil in a medium size pot. Add sugar and ginger slices. Bring to a boil.

To serve:

Place cooked rice balls into a bowl. Add ginger soup and serve hot.

The Strathcona BIA wishes a Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! May the Year of the Tiger bring you plenty of prosperity and good fortune 🐯

Strathcona is home to many socially-minded organizations that work year-round to support our community members.

Consider giving back to one of the organizations below and make a huge impact this holiday season.

We’re inspired by #GivingTuesday, a global generosity moment that follows Black Friday and puts a positive focus on some of the world’s most giving organizations.

There are so many incredible community organizations in this neighbourhood making a difference for those in need in our community. It’s important to support them year-round, but in particular during the winter months we encourage our audience to give a little extra where you can.

Giving Back

The number of great community-serving organizations in Vancouver and in and around Strathcona means there are a lot of opportunities to make a difference with your dollars, especially during the holidays. 

If you’re looking for a local organization to donate to this year take a look at the places below that are doing amazing work to serve those in need in our community. Click on the organization names to learn more about their missions. 

• note that this is not an exhaustive list and if you think another local organization should be added to this list, please get in touch with us!

Introducing Strathcona BIA’s New Leader.

The Strathcona BIA is privileged to have a long history of strong and dynamic leadership, a history that we are continuing to build upon. We are thrilled to announce that Vincent Kwan will be joining the Strathcona BIA as our new Executive Director starting November 1. 

Vincent joins us following the departure of our former Executive Director Theodora Lamb, who took on a new challenge as the Executive Director of Quest Food Exchange. Your Board of Directors and staff undertook a comprehensive search over the summer to find the Strathcona BIA’s new leader. The role attracted significant interest and many strong candidates, and the Board led a robust and thorough hiring process to find the right fit for the unique role of the SBIA’s Executive Director.

It is a tremendous honour for me to join the Strathcona BIA as the new Executive Director. To me, Strathcona has always been a community known for its creative energy, entrepreneurial spirit and hard work. It is also a community that takes pride for being diverse and inclusive. I can’t wait to roll-up my sleeves and start working with all SBIA members, the Board, staff, and volunteers to continue to build a resilient local economy that can both thrive with confidence and adapt with agility.

Vincent is the former Executive Director of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens in Chinatown, and comes to us from the City of Vancouver where he has been a Planner on the Chinatown Transformation Team. Vincent is deeply connected to the local community through his experience in the area. He brings significant experience in not-for-profit leadership, business development, programming, strategic planning, and governance. Vincent’s thoughtful demeanor, analytical approach, and business acumen will make him a strong advocate for Strathcona and the issues that matter to our members.

His experience working across cultures and business sectors has laid the groundwork for him to be an excellent bridge-builder between community and business. Vincent brings the skills and experience that are needed to help lead our district through the next steps of the pandemic and we are excited to see where his leadership takes Strathcona.

Please join us in welcoming Vincent Kwan to the Strathcona BIA!

British Columbians now have access to the province’s vaccination card platform. Here’s what you need to know. 

Beginning on September 13, 2021, British Columbians will be required to show proof of vaccination province-wide to enter specific establishments and events including:

• Indoor ticketed sporting events
• Indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events
• Licensed restaurants and restaurants that offer table service (indoor and patio dining)
• Pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and patio dining)
• Nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres
• Gyms, exercise facilities/studios, pools and recreation facilities
• Businesses offering indoor group exercise
• Indoor adult group and team sports for people 22 years old or older
• Indoor organized events with 50 or more people. For example: Wedding receptions, organized parties, conferences and workshops
• Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery, art and choir
• Post-secondary on-campus student housing

The BC Vaccine Card comes with a unique QR code that can be accessed though your computer or smart phone. You can save the digital version to your phone or tablet or print a paper copy to carry in your wallet. Both options will be accepted.

Note: Proof of vaccination is not required to vote in-person in the September 20 federal election or at advance polling places. 

How to register.

1. Log-in here with your date of birth, personal health number and dosage amount.
2. Save or print your QR code. Digital copies can be saved to tablets or smartphones.
3. Show your card when required with your government ID.

Key dates

September 13 – partial vaccination required (at least 1 dose)

October 24 – fully vaccinated (2 doses required) 

Those who still need their vaccination can register here.

Resources for Businesses 

Starting September 13, businesses requiring to verify proof of vaccination can download the free BC Vaccine Card Verifier app which will be available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The app will allow you to scan a QR code from a digital vaccination card or paper vaccination card. Businesses can also confirm proof of vaccination visually.

Read the BC Vaccine Card Guide for Businesses for a step-by-step breakdown of verifying vaccination cards.

Print-Ready Posters for businesses

Proof of Vaccination Required Poster

Accepted Forms of Proof Poster

How to Check a BC Vaccine Card Poster

In the lead up to this year’s AGM we are sharing a series of reports with our business community on all that we’ve been up to in service to you, our members. Next up, COVID-19 Recovery and Placemaking.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to challenge our members and the community in diverse and extensive ways. Supporting our members through these challenging times has been the top priority for the Strathcona BIA. The Board has been working to apply a COVID-19 recovery lens to all board decisions and ensure that our programming and services support members through COVID-19 and facilitate recovery efforts. We have also continued to invest in placemaking initiatives in Strathcona to attract people to the area and bring new vibrant spaces that inspire and connect people.

COVID-19 Task Force

At the beginning of the pandemic we were the first BIA to join the COVID-19 Community-Coordinated Response Network, over 40 organizations operating in the Downtown Eastside working together to address the impacts of COVID-19. This group continues to meet and collaborate on ways to support the well-being of the community, expanding their scope of work to address other challenges such as heat wave weather events and the opioid crisis. Showing up as a community partner and building relationships with groups in the community who are working to create a thriving neighbourhood is integral to our success as an organization.

COVID-19 Communications

We’ve increased our direct member communications through COVID-19. We continue providing resources and information on available COVID-19 resources and business supports through our e-newsletter channel and social media channels. When new targeted grants came online to help hard-hit businesses or when new health order regulations were announced, we were quick to share about them with our members immediately, and we’ll continue to do so as long as the pandemic is impacting you and your operations.

COVID-19 Recovery Grant

We launched a COVID-19 Recovery Grant pilot program in September 2020 to support our business and property owners affected by the pandemic. Matching grants up to $1000 were used to help members manage unexpected expenses from COVID-19, attract customers, improve security, and invest in placemaking improvements. We were excited to award $15,620 to 22 Strathcona BIA members across multiple sectors and different sub-districts, for projects ranging from patio installations, to security fence upgrades, to bulk PPE supplies. The matching grants were put towards projects that resulted in a total investment of almost $50,000 in area improvements and recovery supplies.

Safe and Welcoming Grant

Building on the success of the Recovery Grant, in July of this year we launched the Safe and Welcoming Grant. We heard from members in our Safety Survey earlier in the year that more investment in environmental safety is a priority. Specifically, many members felt that improvements in things like lighting, street and crosswalk infrastructure, and more green space will have a large impact on the overall safety of the area. We took the learnings from the COVID-19 Recovery Grant pilot program and created this new grant program to provide members with the funding and flexibility to address their specific needs while also keeping a district-wide perspective. The goal of this program is to help our members make safety and beautification investments that will attract people to the area and create a more safe and welcoming community for all – small changes add up to big impact! Since the launch of the program, seven businesses have applied and are in the process of starting on safety and beautification projects. Applications continue to be accepted here. 

New Murals

We’re excited to have brought several new murals to the Strathcona neighbourhood this year in partnership with Vancouver Mural Festival and local property owners. Artist Sitji Chou created a mural piece called Ripple at Noble on 1001 Venables Street. The artist hopes the waves, lilies, and koi mingling in between will instill a sense of tranquility and whimsy to all who see the mural. Another piece includes Benjamin Stone’s bold new work at Container Brewing, titled No Arrival. A third mural at 603 Powell Street is part of the Black Strathcona Resurgence Project (BSRP). The BSRP is a project to reclaim Black visibility in Strathcona, an area historically populated by Vancouver’s Black community. The BSRP mural titled Watch Over this Child by artist Sasha Mbabazi, is a call to action to take responsibility for the wellbeing of each other. And the Thomas Cannell mural Give It Time, that we sponsored in 2020, has become a standout mural in the district and an East Hastings landmark. Public art has the power to help strengthen the connections between all who share space here, and we are so proud to be a part of supporting more murals for all to enjoy. 

We have also invested in mural restoration and upkeep. Last year, we repaired and refreshed the mural at 812 East Cordova, an amazing colourful mural depicting the Squamish Valley and Stawamus Chief Mountain, among others, and we remain invested in ensuring murals in Strathcona are well maintained.

Adding and Refreshing Tree Planters

The Hastings Urban Tree Planters are an urban greening initiative going since 2014 that responds to the lack of trees along some of the streets in Strathcona. The tree planters bring life to our streetscapes by adding greenery through resilient tree varieties and colour through vibrant murals on the planter exteriors. Over the years, the planters have provided a platform for many emerging artists, and this year we are honoured to dedicate this visual space for an Indigenous artist to create a statement-making impact along East Hastings. Following a selection process with Vancouver Mural Fest, we’re excited that the planter murals are in the process of being refreshed by artist Zac George. The design, selected in part through consultation with participants in the planter program, is called Sacred Mountains and we can’t wait to see it completed soon. We’ll also be adding four new planters to the 800 Block of East Hastings, expanding the total number of tree planters in the community to 16.