Welcome to another “Meet The Neighbours” segment for This Space.

Meet Tracy A. Myerson, owner of Jett Grrl Bike Studio located at 247 Union Street. Watch this video to hear her thoughts about how Chinatown has changed, what Jett Grrl Bike Studio is all about, and why everyone should ride a bike.

Audio: “Bombay” by El Guincho

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Welcome to another “Meet The Neighbours” segment for This Space.

Meet David Walker, a partner at Saint Bernadine Mission Communications located at 228 Georgia Street East. Watch this video to hear his thoughts about how Chinatown has changed, why they moved from downtown to Chinatown, and what they think would be good at 243 Union Street.

“Saint Bernadine Mission Communications is a Vancouver BC based communications firm. We’re a hardworking bunch, passionate about doing good work that is strategic and creative, and most importantly, delivers results for our clients and partners in BC and beyond.”

Audio: “Exhaustible” by Devotchka

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This Local Foods business needs a name. And we want your help to come up with it!

Over the next few weeks we want to hear what you think we should name this business. Out of those suggestions we’ll pick the three we like the most, which will go up for a vote. Where you the community will decide the final name.

Here are some of our objectives which you may consider in coming up with our name:

– The business will focus on local foods to promote healthy eating and sustainability;
– The business will offer seasonal menus, convenience, and a warm space.
– The business aims to be a valuable and contributing member of the Union Street and Chinatown/Strathcona communities.

What the winners will receive:

1st Place – $300 in credit towards your choice of (1) our Local Foods business at 243 Union or (2) a local urban farm CSA; and clout knowing that you named This Space.

2nd Place – $100 in credit towards your choice of (1) our Local Foods business at 243 Union or (2) a local urban farm CSA;

3rd Place – $50 in credit towards your choice of (1) our Local Foods business at 243 Union or (2) a local urban farm CSA.

Email your business name suggestions along with your contact details to hello@thisspace.ca or leave a comment on this post.

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People have voted for a Local Foods Grocery & Meals concept at 243 Union Street in Vancouver Chinatown. This Space looks to develop a business here that can be an inspiring model for Local Foods.

This Space is now looking to hire a talented designer to develop its brand and all brand materials for the new Local Foods business. Are you interested in helping This Space brand this business at 243 Union Street?

If so, please send your online portfolio by email to hello@thisspace.ca by Friday, November 18, 2011. Please also include an introductory letter that includes your contact information and current employer (if any). Unless you request otherwise, part of your portfolio may be showcased with proper credits online at www.thisspace.ca and/or at 243 Union Street.

From your portfolio submissions, we will short-list several candidates to interview and MAY showcase and ask the public to participate in the selection process.

THIS IS NOT A DESIGN CONTEST AND YOUR PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION SHOULD NOT INCLUDE SPEC WORK.

From indications of interest and subsequent interviews, we will select one designer to help us develop a brand for the Local Foods business at 243 Union Street.

The criteria used for selection will include but is not exclusive to confidence in the designer’s ability to:

– Deliver a quality brand and logo in a timely manner;
– Understand the business’s objective to promote convenience for healthy eating and sustainability;
– Understand the need to create an inspiring and inviting feel for the entire neighbourhood.

Local designers working or living in Chinatown & Strathcona are strongly encouraged to apply.

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People have voted for a Local Foods Grocery & Meals concept at 243 Union Street in Vancouver Chinatown. This Space looks to develop a business that can be an inspiring model for Local Foods.

This Space is now looking for Fresh Food professionals to help build and run this business to serve the Chinatown & Strathcona neighbourhood. Are you passionate about fresh foods? Do you have strong knowledge and networks in local produce? Are you capable of tailoring a menu seasonally?

Most importantly, are you interested in partnership or work opportunities with This Space? If so, we want to discuss potential opportunities with you.

Local residents of Chinatown & Strathcona are strongly encouraged to apply.

Desired Qualifications

– Passionate and knowledgeable about local foods and sustainability issues;
– Excellent chef who has experience working with fresh produce;
– Outstanding interpersonal and customer relations skills;
– Restaurant management experience is an asset.

Application Guidelines

To indicate your interest, please submit a one-page CV along with a one-page introductory letter that includes the type of work and arrangement you are interested in with This Space. Please submit your interest either by email to hello@thisspace.ca, by mail, or in person by Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Our address is 243 Union Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 2B2.

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This Space will offer Local Foods Grocery & Meals.

Thanks to the many of you who have helped decide on the type of business at 243 Union Street. Local Foods was a decisive winner in Poll #2 with 49% of the votes.

Through your comments and our conversations, we continue to learn about this neighbourhood. We want this Local Foods service to be a valued part of the neighbourhood. We urge you to continue engaging with us to shape this business.

Now that we know that the business will be Local Foods, we need a business plan. And we need help. Who knows about local foods? Who can help brand this business? Who wants to work here? We want to draw on the skills and resources of people nearby to develop this business concept.

Starting next week, we will be asking for your help.

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After two weeks of voting for Poll #2, Local Foods Grocery & Meals remains the leading business at 47%, ahead of Mixed-Use Activities (29%) and Fresh Breads (24%).

Poll #2 will close on Friday, November 4, so please vote now and tell others who may be interested.

Once Poll #2 tells us what business you think belongs at 243 Union Street, we’ll be asking you to help with other issues to start this business.

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Across from This Space, the Prior Street ramp for the Georgia Viaduct hovers over a large block of green space. Sometimes it’s not so green, and sometimes it takes awhile for the trash to be taken away. We don’t think it’s registered as an official park.

But this green space sees plenty of activity. We see people sitting on the bench to eat their lunch. We see dogs sniffing around in the early evening. And we see people throwing the frisbee around on a sunny weekend day.

There have been lots of opinion about what should be done with this green space. But maybe we should start by naming it.

Plus, we can’t keep calling it “This Park”. At some point, we’ll need a new name for it…

What would you name this park?

Here is the Vancouver Park Board policy on Park Naming:

Proposed park names will be evaluated by considering historical, cultural and geographic elements and using the following park naming guidelines:

2. Commemorative: When no such constant feature is present or it is desired to
commemorate an historical event or person important to the Park Board, City of
Vancouver, or a person having made a substantial contribution to the Park Board,
a park may be named for that person. Generally, names of individuals should only
be used posthumously, except in the case of a living person who has a lifetime
achievement consistent with the Park Board’s mandate.

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Can This Space be all things bread?

Well, people can already access a few delicious bread options on and around Union Street…fresh muffins and scones in the morning at Hogan’s Alley Cafe, tasty Vietnamese subs for lunch from Ba Le Sandwich Shop, and BBQ pork steamed buns to take home from several Chinese bakeries.

But several bicyclists commuting along Union Street have stopped by to ask for a business at This Space where they can grab a sandwich for lunch on the way to work and maybe pick up a baguette in the evening on the way home. We also know people working nearby who want more eating options for their work week. And why are so many residents asking for a bakery?

No, This Space can’t be all things bread. But if you vote for Fresh Breads, we’ll try to figure out some delicious things bread for you.

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