A Year in Review – Gastown

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December 19 2021

A Year in Review

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And that’s a wrap!
 
2021, once again, proved to be another year of uncertainty. Gastown, once again, proved its resiliency. The vibrancy that we once took for granted, has started to echo again across our streets and sidewalks. While the future is never certain, Gastown’s optimism has never waned and we will continue to build on the layers of legacy that have come to define this very special neighbourhood.
 
As we put this chapter to a close, it’s time to look back on the truly iconic moments that 2021 brought us.

Shop + Style

Pop Up Takeover, Year-round

This was the year of pop-ups as we saw many storefronts transform into collaborative spaces, welcoming many creatives and artists alike to come together in one happy space. Here one day, gone the next – sharing really is caring.

Girls Next Door
Fable & Vitruvi
Anna Kosturova
Tone Edition
Bronze Age
Birds & beets collab

Gastown Retail Revival, October

“It was like the apocalypse.”
 
“It looked like the end of the world… and we we’re living it.”
 
CBC sat down with Gastown retailers to discuss the new life being breathed into Gastown since the beginning of the pandemic.
 
Tone Edition

Only In Gastown, December

Our first holiday giveaway was a huge success. Thanks to our many businesses who contributed such unique gifts that can be be found Only in Gastown.

Out & About
Cappelleria Bertacchi
mosh

Food + Drink

Patiotown 2.0, Summer

Where culinary and urban patio dreams come true. Patiotown made a comeback – and it was even better than ever. 
 

Après Golf, September

We partnered with Grey Goose Vodka and local restaurants to turn Gastown into the best kind of back nine – one involving golf themed cocktails.

Read Gastown in the News: Vancouver is Awesome, A mini-golf course is popping up in Gastown before summer ends

Dine Out Vancouver, February

Dine Out Vancouver also made a comeback this year – and Gastown did not hold back.

Entertainment

Gastown Unplugged, Summer (Gastown Thursday Nights)

The neighbourhood came alive again this summer with the sound of music. From jazz, to steel drums to traditional Irish ditties, there was something for everyone.

Art + Culture

Small Stage Pride Event, August

We partnered with the #lovebubble project and the #lovevancouver campagn to bring you a special PRIDE show. There was music. There was dancing. And there was a whole lotta LOVE.

Gastown Thursday Night: Holiday Kick-off with Arts Umbrella & Small Stage Events, December

Dancers and musicians took over the streets and store windows for, yet another, Gastown Thursday Night. This time with a special window takeover at Inform Interiors with Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Mixed Nuts – a Nutcracker inspired ballet with a Gastown twist.

Additionally, there was a roaming brass band and performers, Patrick Gavigan, Marie Hui and Krystle Dos Santos sang their little hearts out in Maple Tree Square Plaza.

Love Your City, February

We’ve realized, now more than ever, the importance of partnership. We partnered with other BIA’s from across Vancouver to show our love to this city. So much so that we decided to keep the pink tree as a permanent installation.

Kiss Me In Gastown, December

Continuing a favourite tradition, #kissingastown came back this year. Not only could you find large arrangements in the ‘hood, but this year every business took part! Plenty of kisses to go around.

Business

New to Gastown

Gastown said goodbye to many old friends this year, and welcomed many new faces to our ‘hood. To keep up to date on new and incoming business click here.

In the meantime, we’d like to give a warm welcome to all those businesses that joined us this past year. It’s damn good to have you.

Kozak

WaffleLand Cafe

Anthem Pizza

Poke N’ Roll

Smith’s Irish Pub

Roosh

Ombre Show Lounge

Fable

Heat Vault

Exit Escape Room

Intamo Pleasurables

Indigo Sutra

Aracade Showroom

Arcane

EC Rare Books

CNTRBRND

Design

Gastown Tomorrow

We released an Urban Design Study to provide insight into how public realm changes may affect Gastown business members, workers, residents, and visitors.

We then turned to our community for feedback to help shape our advocacy position and highlight community priorities to the City of Vancouver for focused action. This is only the start to a very long process.

Gastown gained a ton of media attention throughout the campaign. Read one of the many articles at Vancouver Sun, Revitalize Gastown’s alleys as business hubs: new urban study.

People

New Year, New Executive Director

The Gastown Business Improvement Society saw some changes as we welcomed a new Executive Director, Walley Wargolet. A long time Gastowner, Walley’s dedication to serving this neighbourhood could not be more clear.

Listen to Walley on the Kid Carson Show.

Evo and Easy Park Collaboration, December

Special thanks to both Evo and Easy Park who made it even more easy to Get to Gastown this holiday season with free parking on Saturday’s and extra minutes when driving to Gastown for the month of December.

Get Your A** To Gastown

It doesn’t matter how you get here, just make it happen. Don’t miss out on the action – get your a** to Gastown.

 

PEACE OUT 2021.

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