As Executive Director of the Marpole Business Improvement Association (BIA) for the past eight years, Claudia Laroye has seen a lot of changes along Granville Street; “The biggest changes are related to the new Marpole community plan that the city of Vancouver has been working on. We’ll be seeing more densification and that will bring more people and businesses into the area in the future.” We asked Claudia about what people will find when they move to Marpole.
What is the function of the Marpole Business Improvement Association?
We represent more than 250 businesses that exist along Granville Street from 63rd Avenue down to 71st. We’re a non-profit group, self-funded from dues from our members and we represent the interests of the business community when it comes to issues around urban planning, policing, and security.
How is Marpole changing?
Marpole has been kind of a sleepy, hidden neighbourhood until recently now that all these arterial streets (like Granville) are being rezones for denser forms of housing. Traditionally, it’s been a lot of UBC students who have rented accommodation here instead of Kitsilano or Dunbar, and there are quite a few seniors who rent in the area as well. It’s popular with people who work at the airport as well, since they don’t have as far to commute.
The challenge has been that the students will move out of the area, and there aren’t many housing options for young families to come here. However, that’s changing. If we can provide a greater range of housing, then people will stick around and businesses will prosper and the neighbourhood will become more vibrant.
We’re happy to see developers embracing the Marpole name, we think it’s important to keep that identity.
What kind of businesses and services are here now, and what’s coming?
The city library is a big draw, and many of the businesses are within walking distance of the houses and apartments. Ragner Jewellers is perhaps the best known. Tad’s Sporting Goods is always busy, it’s the place to go to have your tennis or squash racket restrung. There’s Evvie and Olive, a new florist shop that’s owned by a mother and daughter, and a very popular shaved ice place called Doolami, which isn’t open during the day; only at night, and it’s packed. Red Star seafood has been popular for years for people who like dim sum in the coming months. It’s a high-end beauty spa, and certainly not the kind of place you would have seen in the old version of Marpole.
How can locals get involved?
Visit www.marpoleonline.com for information on upcoming events. And, stay connected online @marpolevillage