Independent Corner Stores, once familiar features of local life, are gradually fading from our street corners. Owning a corner store often gave newcomers not only a livelihood, but also a roof over their heads and, for many, they served as a gateway business to move up the socio-economic ladder. Although many of the original corner stores are gone, a few still exist as corner stores, while many of them have been re-invented as coffee shops and sandwich shops, which still thankfully serve as local gathering spots.
Pemberton Ave: A Mid-Century Celebration of Colour and Walkability
Walking down Pemberton Ave in North Vancouver you could be easily fooled into thinking you’re back in the 1950s or 1960s if you ignore the modern cars lining the street. Just like the nearby Norgate Park subdivision, whose houses were originally painted every colour of the rainbow, many businesses on Pemberton Ave have continued the mid-century tradition of bright colours to this day. Join us on a virtual tour of this colourful and historic North Vancouver commercial district and also learn why it gets such a great “walk score” from its neighbouring communities.