THE TALK OF THE TOWN

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What Do We Have For You This Month?

Welcome to “The Talk of The Town” for August, 2026. Click on the following links to find:

  • West End News & Notes: Three groups of West End citizens are pushing back against government and developers, a cautionary note for drivers, and special event road closures.

  • Word On The Street: Who’s opening, who’s closing, and who’s on the move.

  • West End Moments: Our community has many talented photographers, and we share their images that capture our lives and time.

  • West End Street & Lane Names: Vancouver’s streets and lanes each have their own history. This month we look at the story behind Nicola Street.

  • Hidden Treasure Hunt: Be the first to email us identifying the location of this West End “Hidden Treasure” and win your choice of a $50 coffee shop gift card.

  • West End / Coal Harbour In The News: In case you missed it, here’s a round-up of news stories from our community.

West End News & Notes

CITIZENS PUSHING BACK
Yes, You Can Fight City Hall (and Others)

Three West End grass-roots community organizations are pushing back against decisions by several levels of government. The campaigns are seeing high levels of support in terms of letters, petition signatures, and voices raised at public hearings. They are:

An artist’s rendering of the view from Barclay Street, looking south, if the project is completed. (HENRIQUEZ PARTNERS ARCHITECTS)

Stop 2030 Barclay … A campaign to stop the proposed development of a 25-story hotel-restauarant complex at 2030 Barclay, overlooking Lost Lagoon, has garnered more than 6,000 signatures, and more than 80 persons signed up to speak at a public hearing at City Hall, requiring the hearing to be conducted over three evenings. Their effort resulted in a March 12 decision by Council to send the developer’s zoning request back to staff for further consultation. More information here.

Repeal ARI-C … ARI-C is a process that allows a landlord to increase the rent of their existing tenants to cover the costs of maintaining and renovating the property. The rent increases never go away, they compound year after year, and there is often no way to appeal the decision. The group pushing back on this provincial issue meets monthly at Mole Hill Community Room, with the next meeting Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m. More information here.

ARCHITECT’S VISION OF PROPOSED WEST END SUBSTATION. (BC HYDRO)

Friends of Nelson Park … This latest group to push back against government decisions is campaigning against the decision to build a BC Hydro substation under Nelson Park, and in the process remove some 80 trees in and around the park. More information here.

For past coverage of these campaigns in The West End Journal, enter “2030 Barclay,” “Nelson Park,” or “ARI-C” in the search field in the upper-right-hand corner of all our pages.

PHOTO AND CAUTIONARY NOTE BY West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre.

SLOW DOWN AND OBEY THE LAW!

Residents in the West End advocated for traffic calming measures to prevent commuters from speeding through residential streets as shortcuts to major arterial routes. That goal is undermined when drivers illegally proceed through a one-way zone, increasing the risk of collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.

Traffic police are popping up around trouble spots like these, all-way stops, and roundabouts to enforce compliance. They shouldn’t have to. Be safe, be courteous, obey the law, and take the few extra minutes to get to your destination.

WEST END ROAD CLOSURES

Summer means lots of events and concurrent road closures around the West End. Here is the latest information from the City of Vancouver.

SUMMER NIGHTS IN ENGLISH BAY
Friday, July 31

  • July 28 to 31 and August 4 - Burnaby St. from Beach to Bidwell closed for set-up.

  • 12 noon to 6 p.m. - Full road closure of Beach Avenue from Davie to Nicola.

  • 6 p.m. to 12 midnight - Full road closure of Beach Avenue and Pacific Street, from Stanley Park to Thurlow, Davie from Denman to Burrard, and Denman from Alberni to Beach Ave.

VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE
Sunday, August 2

  • 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Full road closure Pacific from Quebec to Burrard, Hornby from Pacific to Helmcken, Burrard from Pacific to Davie, and Burrard Bridge access via Thurlow to Pacific.

DAVIE VILLAGE PRIDE FESTIVAL
Sunday, August 2

  • 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. - Full road closure on Davie between Burrard and Jervis and Comox between Bute and Thurlow.

Word On The Street

it’ll be groovy, man!

GROOVY, MAN!
Groove Cat Books & Records

While they don't have an official opening date just yet, the plan is for Groove Cat Books & Records, currently in New Westminster, to relocate to our ‘hood by mid-August.

When the dust settles and the doors open they will be at 1823 Robson Street, right beneath the Times Square Suites Hotel at Robson and Denman.

Owners Cat, John, and their shop kitty Chester can't wait to be back in this wonderful community, meet their new neighbours, and create a welcoming space for book lovers, music lovers, and curious wanderers alike. The West End holds a special place in their hearts—they lived here in the early-to-mid 2000s and have always loved the neighbourhood's character and sense of community.

Check out their website here and their Facebook page here for more information. And stay groovy!

A new west end wellness studio.

RELAX!
Soul Reflexions Wellness Studio

Many West Enders will remember reflexology and Reiki practitioner Suzy Szokendi from her years at the former Garden Health centre on Davie.

Suzy, who has called the West End home for the past 25 years, has opened a private studio where she once again offers holistic wellness treatments, including reflexology, Reiki, and other wellness services.

For more information or to book an appointment DM Suzy or leave a message at 604-408-0307.

West end butcher & deli on davie. (rob Labelle Photo)  

THERE’S A NEW BUTCHER IN TOWN
West End Butcher & Deli

A new butcher shop opened recently at 1340 Davie, offering delicious deli sandwiches and salads, fresh meat, poultry, and homemade sausage.

They feature high quality meats and poultry sourced from around BC at a range of prices.

And if you’re a little short of meal-prep time, West End Butcher & Deli also offer homemade meals that you can heat up when you get home. And for one-stop shopping, check out their produce and dry goods section. Visit their website here.

West End Moments

Our community is blessed with many avid photographers, documenting moments that alarm, amuse, and inform. Click on each photo to see the caption. Send your latest photos to editor@thewestendjournal.ca.

West End Street & Lane Names

NICOLA STREET
A Rare Non-European Origin

While most of the streets in the West End are named for Europeans, Nicola Street is a noteworthy exception.

One of the most important chiefs in the Shuswap area in the mid-1800s was called Nicolas (or Nikwalas), translated as “victorious among men.” The name was first applied to an inland waterway by French speaking fur traders, who pronounced it Nicola.

Chief Nicolas was an influential figure from the time the first fur-trading fort went up in 1811 until his death in 1851. He encouraged trade, sharing local knowledge with the Europeans, and often accompanied them on their trips.

Hidden Treasure Hunt

IDENTIFY THIS PHOTO …
And Win A $50 Coffee Shop Gift Card

can you identify the location of this unique feature?
(click image to enlarge)

The first reader to contact editor@thewestendjournal.ca and correctly identify the location of this image will win a $50 gift card to their choice of Blenz, Delaney’s, Melriche’s, Waves, J.J. Bean, or Greenhorn Cafe.

So if you recognize this unique piece of art write in now! Only the winning response will be notified.

The answer, and the clue to the next contest, will appear in our September issue.

The photos and information in the answers were originally published in TWEJ several years ago as part of our “Hidden Treasures” series by Vancouver author Dianne Maguire.

Portal Park in Coal Harbour. (Dianne Maguire Photo)

LAST MONTH’S WINNER IS …
Congratulations Zoe Forbes!

A cool, shaded oasis in the busy downtown Portal Park, at 1099 West Hastings, features an elegant pavilion, lacy Japanese maples, and glimpses of Coal Harbour. The park is located above the north entrance to the Canadian Pacific Railway tunnel, which was opened in 1932 to move freight trains across the downtown peninsula; the tunnel is now used by the SkyTrain.

The park was opened in 1986 and the arched roof of the pavilion that protects the decorative tiles of its floor brings to the area a reminder of the imposing design of yesteryear.

West End / Coal Harbour In The News