Drive Merchants Thrive on Calling Their Own Shots

Vancouver Sun, Dec 16, 2002, by Ian McSorley

Kevin Potvin's article, "Commercial Drive, Inc." is a great insight to the vibrancy of our unique neighbourhood. It remains a thriving, creative community, despite the trend towards homogenous, franchised commerce in North America.

His suggestion that we should ensure its economic survival by getting with the Walmart program must be tongue in cheek, although taken in the context of his research comparisons, this is debatable.

To think that the unique, independent businesses that comprise Commercial Drive may actually want to function as a cog in a bigger machine couldn't be farther from reality. The Drive is a shopping destination for the neighbourhood and the rest of the city because it is an urban village. The eclectic mix of owner operated businesses continue to draw patrons from all parts of the city precisely because it isn't another Walmart.

There's a reason that we have the highest proportion of degrees in the arts and humanities of any neighbourhood in the city, just as the West side has the highest proportion of business and economics degrees. Our priority isn't running the most profitable business. Business owners here are independent because they all want to do it their own way, call their own shots and follow their own direction -- profitable or otherwise. We have a unique hybrid of art and commerce and that will maintain the vibrancy of the Drive. Commercial Drive is truly Vancouver's expressive edge!

Ian McSorley, Marketing Director, Commercial Drive Business Society