What's New

 This old beauty has had some work done over the years, transforming from a dowdy old CIBC branch to a lifestyle-related retailer which specializes in selling apparel, clothing accessories and apartment products. Looking pretty good for 108! 

 There are a few remnants still visible today from the Roaring '20s, most notably the St Helens Hotel. It's now a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotel, and the neighbourhood has seen better days. 

 Renowned maker of such culinary delights as Red Arrow Biscuits, Lucky Torpedoes and Lost Lagoon Chocolate, the building now houses an upscale furniture retailer. 

 Built in 1912, closed in 1990, taken over by the Anglican Church and renamed Holy Trinity. 

 This nondescript building on a busy street in Kits has a colourful past. Originally built in 1913 for the Vaudeville circuit, it became a movie house until the doors were closed in 1955.  The Russian Community Centre took it over in 1958, and in 1966 it became The Afterthought, a psychedelic concert hall. The Grateful Dead and Steve Miller played there, among others. 

 One of the city's most popular vegetarian restaurants, the Naam opened in 1968 when Kits was known as Rainbow Road. It's open 24/7 and has remained virtually unchanged, both inside and out. 

 Along with the nearby Depancier house, this one might qualify as the oldest residence outside the downtown core. Built in 1889, the photograph is from 1958, the oldest one I could find. The house is now home to The James Black Gallery. (1958 photo from Vancouver City Archives.)

 This Edwardian style house, built around 1894, is regarded as the oldest currently occupied single family residence outside of the downtown core. It has gone through many incarnations, including a brothel, candy company, shoe repair and restaurant. 

 Mount Pleasant was Vancouver's first suburb, providing affordable homes to working class families in the city. Calladine's Grocery offered home delivery to the area.  (1908 photo from Vancouver City Archives). 

 These two homes were built around 1908, and one is now a popular coffee shop for the West End crowd. The other one got a new hat!