Presented by The Strathcona BIA

This July, we’re celebrating Strathcona’s vibrant café culture with a neighbourhood-wide cafe crawl and contest that showcases the range of third-spaces in Strathcona, and rewards the people who champion our local economy. From July 7th–30th, 2026, visit participating cafés throughout Strathcona, enjoy your regular or discover something new, and enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card from the cafés you visit.

Participating Cafés

• Rumor Cafe
• Eden Cafe
• Pallet Coffee
• Prototype Coffee
• Railtown Cafe
• Tommy’s Wholegrain Bakery
• Rise Up Marketplace
• Doe Coffee
• HAVE Cafe
• Peace and Culture Coffee
• The Garden Strathcona

How It Works

1. When you visit a participating Strathcona café, write your contact information (name & email address/phone number) on the back of your receipt.
2. Drop your receipt into the contest box located inside the café. Your entry will be eligible for that café’s $100 gift card draw.

To enter without making a purchase, email contest@strathconabia.com during the Contest Period with:

• Your full name
• Email address
• Telephone number
• The participating cafe’s draw you’d like to enter
• A 50-word essay describing how you’d spend a day in Strathcona.

Eligible no-purchase entrants should indicate which participating café they wish to enter and will receive one (1) entry into that café’s prize draw.

At the end of the campaign, one entrant will be randomly selected from each participating café’s entries to receive a $100 gift card to that café. So whether you’re kick-starting your day, meeting a friend for lunch, or picking up something on your way home, your visit is another opportunity to win while supporting Strathcona’s café cluster. 

Contest Rules

• Contest period: July 7, 2026 at 12:00 AM PST to July 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.
• This contest is open to BC residents, age 19 and above, excluding café and Strathcona BIA staff.
• Any qualifying purchase transaction at a participating café is eligible. There is no minimum purchase value.
• Participating cafés are limited to Strathcona cafés that have the contest box. For cafés with multiple locations, only the Strathcona location with the contest box is regarded as a participating café.
• Only one (1) entry is permitted per purchase transaction. Multiple entries are permitted, provided each entry is supported by a separate qualifying purchase transaction.
• Entries must include a legible/valid name and contact information (phone number/email address).
• For no-purchase entries, entrants must write a 50-word essay on the topic “How I’d Spend a Day in Strathcona”.
• One winner will be selected from each participating café.
• A total of 11 prizes are available to be won. Each prize consists of a $100 gift card.
• A single $100 gift card will be won at each participating café. (approximate retail value: $100 CAD).
• Each winner will receive one (1) $100 gift card to the participating café from which their entry was selected.
• Random draw will occur on or around Thursday August 6, 2026
• Prizes will be awarded by the Strathcona BIA.
• The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
• Before being declared the winner, the selected entrant must correctly answer a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question administered by the Strathcona BIA.
• Selected entrants will be contacted within 5 business days following the random draw.
• Personal information is collected solely for administering the contest.
• The Strathcona BIA reserves the right to select another entrant if no response is received after five days.
• The Strathcona BIA reserves the right to modify or cancel the contest if necessary.

Ready to win? Start exploring cafes and start submitting those entries. Your next favourite spot awaits.

It’s Time to Patio.

Patio season has arrived and with B.C.’s lifted restrictions there are so many reasons to call up a friend and experience one of Vancouver’s amazing patios. 

We’re so fortunate to have some stellar breweries and restaurants in Strathcona where you can soak up the sun while enjoying a craft brew, dim sum, pizza and more of what your heart desires. 

We’ve got all the info you need to take-in any of Strathcona’s patios including our personal favourite food and drinks. For more Strathcona food and drink options visit our blog here.

1123 Venables St

Hours: Tues – Thurs 2-9pm | Fri – Sat 2-10pm | Sun 12-9pm

Things to note:

• Heated and covered
• Semi-permanent
• Table service with pizza

Must Try:

The Calzone and a Sbarbatella Keller Pilsner

1216 Franklin St

Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed 2-8pm | Thus – Fri 2-9pm | Sat – Sun 12-9pm

Things to note:

• Permanent patio with additional temporary patio seating
• Partially covered
• Pet-friendly
• Food trucks daily

Must Try:

A Manifest Hazy Pale Ale with Lemongrass Chicken Wings from Henry’s Hip Eats Food Truck (see website for pop-up dates).

505 Clark Dr

Hours: Wed – Sat 12-10pm | Sun-Tues 12-9pm

Things to note:

• Permanent patio with additional temporary patio seating
• Heated and covered
• Pet-friendly

Must Try:

A Fountainbier Orange Cream beer with a Smokie.

403 East Hastings St

Hours: Mon – Thurs 11am-12am | Fri – Sat 11am-1am | Sun 11am-10pm 

Things to note:

• Curbside patio
• Open in all weather

Must Try:

The Mill Burger and a Pat’s Classic Lager.

895 East Hastings St

Hours: Mon – Sun 12-10pm 

Things to note:

• Curbside patio, two options
• Open in all weather
• Partially covered

Must Try:

Premium Pilsner and a Margherita Pizza.

901 East Hastings St

Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30am-6pm | Sat 10am-4pm 

Things to note:

• Curbside patio
• Partially covered

Must Try:

Grateful Veg Panini.

957 East Hastings St

Hours: Tue – Sat 4-10pm 

Things to note:

• Permeant patio with additional temporary patio seating
• Partially covered
• Happy Hour 4-6pm and 9pm to close

Must Try:

Lamb Meatballs and a V.V G & T.

1132 East Hastings St

Hours: Mon – Sun 10am-7:30pm

Things to note:

• Temporary parking lot patio
• Partially covered

Must Try:

Steamed Pork Dumplings. 

1279 East Hastings St

Hours: Mon – Sun 12-10pm

Things to note:

• Curbside patio
• Partially covered

Must Try:

Awaze Tibs.

55 Dunlevy Ave

Hours: Mon – Fri 11:30am-10pm | Sat – Sun 10am-10pm 

Things to note:

• Curbside patio
• Happy hour Mon all day & Tues – Fri 3pm-6pm

Must Try:

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto.

Here’s Why.

In Strathcona, people work with their hands and technology to create, build, and fix the things we need to survive and thrive – and sometimes that includes getting your brake pads and rotors replaced. 

For current and aspiring vehicle owners, Strathcona is one of the best areas in Vancouver for auto services. There are over 25 businesses in our community that can assist with all types of motor vehicle needs.

If you’re looking for vehicle repair and maintenance you’ll find a Strathcona-based Auto Repair Shop dedicated to providing help. We also have several Auto Body Shops that specialize in bodywork repair after an accident. If motorcycles or electric scooters are your thing, you can find businesses here that sell, repair and offer maintenance for scooters and motorcycles. Don’t drive? Vancouver Taxi, based in Strathcona, is a great option when you need to call for a ride.

Win Products and Services from Strathcona Auto Businesses April 12 to 30

In order to give back to our community while supporting our automotive sector, we’ll be running in-store contests for some awesome prizes up to $250 in value, between April 12 to 30. You don’t need to be an existing customer to enter. Remember to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols when in the community. The grand prize will be a $500 gift card giveaway to Lordco Auto Parts on our Instagram channel, for those who would rather take part from home.

Get to know a few of our auto businesses below and how they can help. Find out where you can fill out ballots and enter to win. 

Icy Cool Auto is a full-service automotive repair center with over 20 years of hands-on experience. They are always ready to service your car or truck and offer services in heating/cooling, brake repair, radiators and more.

What do you like about being in Strathcona? 

It’s growing, changing. It’s nice to see people out walking with the family every weekend. I’ve been here almost 17 years and things are getting better. I think there is a good future for Strathcona.

– Reza, Owner Icy Cool Automotive 

Fill out an in-store ballot to win full Air Conditioning service plus an oil change up to $100 from Icy Cool Auto at 530 Clark Drive.

Vespa Metro is the only authorized Vespa/Piaggio scooter dealership in Vancouver. The boutique scooter shop is dedicated to everything scooter-related and offers accessories, helmets, and other riding gear. The Vespa line is the top of the line scooter brand in the world with a 75 year history.

All of their team members are passionate scooterists with a combined scootering experience of over 150 years. The work they do on scooters and the products they offer are performed with true enjoyment and of the highest quality. Their team members live and breathe scooters. 

What do you like about being in Strathcona? 

What we like about being in Strathcona is the fact that it is home to some of our team members. Strathcona provides a community feel and the fact that we have been in the neighbourhood for over 10 years makes it feel like the backyard of our home.

– Kent, Owner Vespa Metro 

Fill out an in-store ballot to win a Vespa Metro riding helmet at 590 Clark Drive.

Daytona Motorsports is a Powersports dealership authorized to sell and service Suzuki, Yamaha & Zero Motorcycles, ATV, Side x Side or Scooters. They are a world leader in electric motorcycles. They also carry helmets, gloves, riding gear and other accessories. 

They have over 40 years of knowledge amongst their employees, who are all avid, skilled motorcyclists, passionate about the sport. They are proud to serve the community in all aspects of the Powersports industry. Daytona is an inclusive space, and their staff takes pride in being an LGBTQ+ and women-friendly business that is co-owned and operated by wife and husband team Janine and Fenton.

What do you like about being in Strathcona? 

The community. We get some pretty awesome walk-in customers, and the vibe in the community is amazing. 

– Marie, Sales Daytona Motorsports 

Fill out an in-store ballot to win a motorcycle helmet from Daytona Motorsports at 837 E. Cordova St.

Avenue Auto Glass is an ICBC-approved shop that specializes in auto glass replacement and repair. Their professional team will help ensure your auto glass is installed safely and in a timely manner. They also offer fast and affordable windshield repair services. 

When asked about what service they wanted to offer as a prize, store Manager Salim shared that “once you’ve come in for auto glass repair service, the hope is you don’t have to come back anytime soon.” With that in mind, he suggested that they help support local eateries with gift card giveaways to their existing and new customers during the contest.

Fill out an in-store ballot to win $50 gift cards to local eateries at 636 Clark Dr. Gift card prizes will include nearby establishments Axum Restaurant, Container Brewing, Pink Pearl Restaurant, Luppolo Brewing, and La Casa Gelato.

Lordco Auto Parts is your one-stop-shop for car, truck, and RV parts or accessories, as well as outdoor gear. You can depend on Lordco’s knowledgeable store representatives to get you the aftermarket parts and accessories you need to repair, maintain or upgrade whatever keeps you moving. 

In-store services at the Lordco Strathcona Store, located at 882 E. Cordova, include paint mixing and matching, and battery recycling. When you purchase a new battery, Lordco will help ensure your old one is safely recycled and its non-renewable components are given a second life. 

Since starting with one humble store in 1974, this family-owned and operated business has grown to become the largest privately-held distributor of automotive parts in the country with over 90 locations across Western Canada. Lordco believes in being a part of all the local communities that they operate in. 

What do you like about being in Strathcona? 

As a new store to the area, we love that we already feel like part of the community. The relationships that we’ve built with Strathcona residents, customers and other businesses have made us feel very welcome. Our staff that live locally like the fact that they can bike or walk to work and when they’re here, they love the view of the mountains from our store. 

– Daniel, Staff Member Lordco Auto Parts

We’ll be partnering up with Lordco to give away a $500 gift card to their Strathcona Store on our Instagram channel on April 24. Make sure you are following along to get all the giveaway details!

For a full list of auto services available in Strathcona visit our business directory page, and select the Automotive category.