The Changing Face of Main Street, Vancouver
Melissa Wood

It"s been through a lot since the first mining community settled there in the early 1900's. The first residents were mostly quarry workers who were mining volcanic rock to pave the first roads of the area. But, after all it's been through since; Main Street is getting another face-lift.

Once known as Antique Row, Main Street is slowly adopting a newer, fresher appearance and persona. Funky coffee shops, city-renowned restaurants, and a barrage of produce stores are commonplace along Main. Oh, and who could forget the thrift stores. With all this new blood, Main St. is certain to make a comeback as the place to be in the city of Vancouver.

The most recent addition to the Main St. area is the YWCA Thrift Store on Main and 28th. It joins the likes of other newer stores such as Bodacious (14+) and Pin Up Vintage Sales, and veteran stores such as Echo Unique Resale and Legends, which are all within a ten-block radius. But there's just something a little different about the new YWCA store.

"We won't have any junk at our store, only high end pieces. We're going to be really selective, but everything will still be sold at thrift store prices. That way you don't have to spend hours thinking about whether it's too expensive," said Karen Wilson, YWCA marketing manager.

This should be a comfort to any residents or merchants who were at all leery of the newest thrift store addition.

"Some people worry that this thrift store will draw a different crowd of people than the stores that are already here. The liquor store across the street already has its regular beggars, but I guess the concern is that the store will increase those numbers." Said Louise Alston of Pin-up Vintage, a store that is across the street from the new YWCA store.

Merchants don't seem to have anything to worry about though. The YWCA Thrift Store is open to the public to come and find amazing things, especially clothing, for reasonable prices. Also, women taking part in YWCA programs are often given gift certificates to shop at the two Vancouver YWCA thrift stores, the new Main St. location and the Kerrisdale location that has been there since 1996. All the profits from the stores go back into helping women and families in the community.

"I think that in the end everyone's perception is based on assumption. I see this as a positive thing though. I mean we all have a common goal: to make money and survive."

Alston isn't the only one who is excited about the changes taking place in the area. Lorna Ketler and Barb Wilkins of Bodacious (14+) look forward to the day when Main St. is an area known for its one-stop secondhand shopping.

"I think there is a misnomer about who thrift shops. All of these shops create a community. It's the same reason there are all the antique shops around here. It saves [the customer] the time of having to go all over town," the Bodacious women said. "There really is huge marketing potential for everyone involved with an area like this."

Wilson has to agree with the Y's new neighbours. "Usually secondhand shoppers like an area that has many shops. Main St. is turning out to be very reminiscent of New Westminster."

Just in the past three months, three new stores have moved in on Main between 27th and 28th. My Orange Bag is a fun, new vintage store, Bodacious (14+) that moved from their former Broadway location, and the YWCA thrift store. It's enough to make the avid secondhand shopper drool.

"I think it is a real bonus to have these sorts of stores around us. It's only bringing more like-minded people into that area," Wilson said. "So, far we've just been made to feel very welcome by the community."

Wilson believes that it is only a matter of time before Main St. becomes a real destination area. Already hotels are listing Main St. as a place to see in their bedside tourist pamphlets.

The Mid-Main Business Association is taking steps to make sure that Main is recognized for the wonderful, vibrant neighbourhood it is. On May 26, they were conducting a Take Back Mid Main cleanup, where litter would be picked up and graffiti would be painted over. Many merchants were also taking this time to plant flowerpots in front of their stores. It's all about keeping up appearances.

And according to Wilson, the hardest part about moving into the area is living up to its unique atmosphere.

"The Main St. community does demand a certain level of coolness and funkiness, so we have to do our best to fit in."

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