Closing Franchise Businesses in the Lower Mainland

[Sir Purrcival]

Nope, don't think so. Googled the Railway club and they have been in operation at the same premises since 1931.

I remember eating there once or twice probably in the Early 80's. It wasn't that memorable. Apparently out of a chain of more than 100 locations across Canada and the US, only one remains in Maine.

[Robbie]

Continuing on with the various movie theatre closures and the huge evolving changes to the city, for better or for worse the last cinema of this kind in the city will be closing soon and changed into a live music venue. You probably have until August 1, 2013 if not sooner before it's closed for good.

[Sir Purrcival]

I know they weren't chains, but how about peeler bars.

The Drake, The Marble Arch, The Port Moody Inn, The Caribou, The Blue Boy, The Wild Duck Inn and I can't remember how many others. I think the # 5 is all that is really left of that ilk, maybe the Penthouse? If it is still there. There must be more I'm sure but they were all over the place at one point and now they are rarities (no I said RARITIES, not PASTIES).

Please note, I wasn't in one of them. Now if someone could remember which one, I would be grateful.

[Rammer]

I know they weren't chains, but how about peeler bars.

The Drake, The Marble Arch, The Port Moody Inn, The Caribou, The Blue Boy, The Wild Duck Inn and I can't remember how many others. I think the # 5 is all that is really left of that ilk, maybe the Penthouse? If it is still there. There must be more I'm sure but they were all over the place at one point and now they are rarities (no I said RARITIES, not PASTIES).

Please note, I wasn't in one of them. Now if someone could remember which one, I would be grateful.

I have heard of two of those five, The Drake and the Wild Duck Inn. The Wild Duck Inn looked interesting from afar in its setting, but not sure that would be a destination of choice for me. Establishments in Calgary seemed to have less of a 'lived in look', but most of the older ones have been converted there as well, as I understand. Who knew that ping pong balls and a metal post could hold so much male attention.

[TheLionKing]

Don't forget the Marble Arch

[Sir Purrcival]

Hey all,

I was in the Wild Duck Inn the day it closed. It had changed to a very respectable Irish sytle pub and my buddy and I were looking around, amazed at what a great little place it had become: nice decor, bright, attractive & attentive waitresses, a good guy we both knew behind the bar....it was excellent. We decided this was going to be a new regular hangout --and between rounds the waitress came over and told us she was just laid off and that was the last day. I think we got a free round. It's too bad, but they needed that piece of property for the new Pitt River bridge.

I used to love going into peeler bars when I was in my early 20s. The Moondancer in Port Moody, the NBI --these were regular haunts. They had cheap, cheap beer and despite the music were quiet enough to have a good bs session. But you get to a point when you just outgrow that sorta thing. I remember hearing a rumour that the owner of the NBI got married and the new wife killed the strip bar, and I think the Moondancer in Port Moody is in the way of the proposed Evergreen Skytrain line.

Now put your hands together for,

Jamesssss

Yeah, it was a fixture for a long time. Went through it's rough patches and I never actually was inside of it but I remember my father talking about going to dances there at some point in prehistoric history. So it was for their for gawd knows how long. (shower, shower)

[notahomer]

Okay technically NOT a franchise but still sad to see it go... Mushroom Recording Studios

I went for a tour as in elementary school. Our music teacher took us on a tour of the place. Turns out our music teacher was famous too (Michael Conway Baker-Composer of soundtrack for the film 'The Grey Fox'.). Lots of big names recorded albums at Mushroom Studios over the years....

[notahomer]

Maybe this doesn't fit the spirit of the thread but.....

The McDonalds at the Via Rail/BusStation @ Main/Terminal will be shutting later this month. Was chatting with an Assistant Manager and he claims they-ll probably be shut by April 21st. There is a huge McDonalds about a block away near the Main Skytrain Station. He claims that McDonalds (the one @ Main/Terminal) will be RE-OPENNING its upper floor that has been shut since the 80's, IIRC. There are so many Condos and other reasons, I guess MickeyD's decided to go for one GIGANTIC restaurant instead of a really big one and the trainstation one, so close together........

[TheLionKing]

It seem rather ridiculous to have 2 MickeyD's so closer to each other to start with. Just as bad as having five (5) barber shops on the same block.(Main near Georgia)

[notahomer]

My favourite cheapo chain store has apparently bit the dust.....

XS CARGO

Bought a steamcleaner there for $9.99. Most of XS CARGO's inventory was overstocks or refurbished stuff, I believe. But that steam cleaner WORKED WONDERS. Certainly got more than my ten bucks out of it. Priced out some new steam cleaners and there's NO WAY I'll find one for $10....

[Sir Purrcival]

Wow, old thread. Started 6 years ago.

I guess another recent chain to be disappearing will be Safeway. That one stings a little bit. Been a fixture here my entire life.

[notahomer]

Wow, old thread. Started 6 years ago.

I guess another recent chain to be disappearing will be Safeway. That one stings a little bit. Been a fixture here my entire life.

I grew up in East Van, so in terms of BIG grocery stores....SAFEWAY was it. I didn't know IGA, Save-ON etc... existed.

[KnowItAll]

Wow, old thread. Started 6 years ago.

I guess another recent chain to be disappearing will be Safeway. That one stings a little bit. Been a fixture here my entire life.

I grew up in East Van, so in terms of BIG grocery stores....SAFEWAY was it. I didn't know IGA, Save-ON etc... existed.

what about dominion and loblaws

[notahomer]

Wow, old thread. Started 6 years ago.

I guess another recent chain to be disappearing will be Safeway. That one stings a little bit. Been a fixture here my entire life.

I grew up in East Van, so in terms of BIG grocery stores....SAFEWAY was it. I didn't know IGA, Save-ON etc... existed.

what about dominion and loblaws

Missed those... There was a Safeway at Nanaimo (about halfway in between 1st Avenue and Hastings) and the Safeway (still there) at Broadway/Commercial. Those were the two grocery stores (different locations of same chain) my mom used.....