Umbrellas & Shopping Bags from our Banners are in stores January 3, 2012!
Our banner umbrellas are guaranteed to shed the blues and the rain! Our beautiful, durable nylon shopping bags made by the Kettle Friendship Society are a must-have for shopping on the Drive. Both are in Commercial Drive stores January 3, 2012 and when you buy one, you're also building new public green space in the neighbourhood! Read more
"This is so brilliant, it makes me warm and fuzzy all over." trendhunter.com
"Tell us your stories about the Drive for a chance to win $500
Our new "Take the Drive…" ad campaign is focused on the close-knit, urban village flavour of the Drive and we'd like to hear your stories about those kind of connections. Business to business; shop to customer; merchant to neighbourhood.
See these examples for a sense of the kind of connection we want to profile. Then share your story on Facebook for a chance to win $500 and if we use your story for a new "Take the Drive…" ad you'll get $100. See more details on Facebook.
Don't worry about writing professional ad copy, just send us your suggestions and we'll take it from there. Thanks!
Our 2011 list of winners for The Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver!
Results are in! Commercial Drive is definitely loved by Vancouverites whether they live here or not. Thanks Vancouver! Read more
Seeking Souk
Mulberry jam from Damascus. Harissa from Tunisia. Rosewater from Lebanon. Halloumi cheese from Cyprus. These are but a few of the myriad exotic delicacies that populate the shelves of Mediterranean Specialty Foods on Commercial Drive. Presiding over this gourmet’s nirvana is Jack Elmasu, a Palestinian-born Vancouverite by way of San Francisco and utterly charming man. Read more
Jennie Wang, winner of Italian Day Vespa contest
The result is in and Jennie Wang is the proud owner of a new Vespa, generously donated by Ali Pirbhai, owner of Vespa Metro Vancouver
The raffle was just one of the great features of the June 5 Italian Day on Commercial Drive. The event was a great success, with over 50,000 people taking in great Italian food, fashion and live entertainment.
The Daily Catch on Commercial Drive is Vancouver's only fish market with 100% sustainably harvested catch
Dylan McCulloch and Ryan Johnson — 2 twenty-something entrepreneurs from the Sunshine Coast have launched the only fresh fish market in the City that sells nothing but 100% sustainable product according to Ocean Wise (2011 Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver: Best Fresh Seafood Store).
Read Randy Shore's full article in the Vancouver Sun.
Photograph by: Nick Procaylo, PNG, Vancouver Sun
Federico's gets the last laugh
Great article by Lena Sin in the Province describes standup Patrick Maliha's reluctance to take a supper club gig — that is until he stepped into Federico's Supper Club and thought he had walked on set for a Rat Pack movie! Read the full article on theprovince.com
Photograph by: Arlen Redekop, PNG
Federico's Award of Distinction
Federico's Supper Club has been awarded the “Ospitalità Italiana Seal – Italian Restaurants in the world”.
This 1997 initiative from the Italian Chambers of Commerce in Italy promotes the traditions of Italian agricultural, food products and gastronomic culture. It is estimated that only 612 restaurants worldwide have been recognized with this prestigious award. Congratulations Federico!
Take the Drive to coffee country!
Steve Whysall's Vancouver Sun article reminisces about "...a time before Starbucks and Blenz, when the only place for a decent cup of coffee was at an Italian café on Commercial Drive."
Today, despite the proliferation of Starbucks and Blenz, Steve points out that "...many people still travel across town specifically to enjoy an espresso at one of the classic Italian coffee bars on The Drive."
Read the full article in vancouversun.com
Annual Golden Plates Awards!
The results are in and Commercial Drive was a hit! Read more
The Drive's Evolution
Evolution 107.9's Meghan McBain interviews Ian McSorley, Commercial Drive BIA's marketing committee chair and gives a snapshot of what makes the Drive the most unique, creative neighbourhood in Vancouver. Listen to the interview
The Drive knows how to "Put a Cork In It"!
To most of us the wine cork is just that last little obstacle between us and a glass of fine wine. Once it's out of the bottle, more often than not, it makes its way into the trash. Well last summer the restaurants of Commercial Drive decided to drop those natural bottle stoppers into containers supplied by the "Put a Cork In It" cork recycling program.
Visit putacorkinit.ca for a complete list of participating locations and more information on the environmental benefits of keeping this 100% recyclable material out of the solid waste stream. (2011 Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver: Best use of a cork!)
"Deliciousness on the Drive" in Edible Vancouver's Autumn issue
If ever there was a team of qualified foodie aficionados it would be the editorial team of Edible Vancouver. Their review of Commercial Drive produce vendors, restaurants, delis and cafes is a great read!
The Drive to Succeed
The area stretching a few blocks on either side of 1st Avenue along Vancouver's Commercial Drive has earned its contemporary reputation as "the Drive" for being one of the city's most colourful neighbourhoods–a diverse melting pot that seems to attract every segment of society. But for the three decades that followed the Second World War, Commercial Drive had a distinctive Italian flavour to it. Read Article
Cook the 'Hood: A Cookbook with a Difference
Contributed by socially-conscious local businesses, these close-guarded cooking secrets of Commercial Drive’s best eateries include a wide selection of fabulous recipes that truly captures the vibe of the neighbourhood. Read more
Italian Motorcycle Club
The Italian Motorcycle Club has some of the best Italian motorcycles you'll find anywhere. You'll occasionally find this collection parked curb-side in front of Café Calabria, just south of 1st Avenue.
A similarly impressive fleet of motor scooters is often found curb-side in front of Continental Coffee, just across the street at 2nd Avenue.
Just 2 of the popular meeting spots on the Drive for Vancouver's 2-wheel motor-heads! Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Bimota, Cagiva, Laverda, Vespas — pretty impressive.
Actress Jennifer Beals' Commercial Drive
Jennifer Beals was propelled to fame as a welder in the 1983 film Flashdance. Now whe's better known as workaholic Bette Porter in The L Word. Read about her home town's Commercial Drive as reported in Air Canada's in-flight magazine, EnRoute!
Sexy fun on the Drive Gets National Exposure!
Chatelaine magazine directs its readers to womynsware.com and their Sex Toy Guide in their Valentine's issue! "Womyns'Ware, in Vancouver, takes women's health seriously. ...Womyns'Ware is picky about its products: It rigorously tests vibrators, for instance. It also offers sexual self-esteem seminars online, and its annual Sex Toy Guide is free on its website or $5 for a print version. (Even better: That $5 goes toward your next purchase.)"
