It was a very brisk day for walking yesterday. I’m glad it was overcast because that probably kept it a few degrees above freezing.
The situation at 2277 Commercial, the former Sweet Greek, is still something of a mystery. Yet another month closed, but all the equipment, tables, etc, still in place. Odd.
Kishimoto Restaurtant, 2054 Commercial, gets an interesting review. Must try this place soon.
At 1859 Commercial, the former Tikka House has new owners and is now called Zazie. According to a very pleasant English lady I spoke with, they have been open three weeks and the new owners are all from Bombay. I hope they do well.
A couple of months ago, I noted that a tattoo parlour had opened up at 1840 Commercial, but last month I was sure it was vacant again. However, Next Tattoo now has a sign and seems to be doing well.
La Grotta del Formaggio at 1791 Commercial gets a really nice shout out from a local chef.
After a break of more than a year, the KushKlub cannabis store is back open at 1735 Commercial.
Mezcaleria at 1622 Commercial gets rave reviews for the Queso Fundido in the Hive’s list of Best Fondue in Vancouver.
What used to be Hirado Sushi at 1431 Commercial has now become Hina Ramen.
Harbour Oyster Bar at 1408 Commercial is now offering an all day brunch menu.
The Stormcrow Tavern at 1305 is now sporting an octopus on the roof (You can’t make this stuff up!)
At 1260 Commercial, the store is still closed but there is now a sign announcing that Oca “pastifico” will be opening shortly.
1206 Commercial, which has been a “plant based boutique” for a while, has become the Make Merry Party House. Not sure what that is exactly; maybe just a Christmas thing?
Vacancies On The Drive This Month: 2277 Commercial (5 months vacant), 2223 (9 months), 1740 (4 months), 1544 (6 months), 1303 (2 months), 1260 (5 months), 1128 (4 months), 1012 (2 months).
This is the 100th monthly edition of Changes on The Drive, a series that has gone on for more than eight years. I hope it is still useful.
Jak's View of Vancouver v.3 
Jak, I think Changes on the Drive performs an invaluable service and I look forward to it every month. It is akin to a monthly health check-up and I share it with a number of people in our ‘hood who also rely on itl . Please don’t stop.
I agree with Dorothy. I never miss a new “Changes”. I have always been oriented toward whatever neighbourhood I live in. I have lived in four “global” (big) cities, plus Vancouver, my home town. I’ve been back here for almost fifteen years now. I am very glad that I latched onto Commercial Drive immediately. It is the only neighbourhood in Vancouver that I think I could stand. I am getting old, and I am “infirm”, and I need my world the be as soothing as possible. I always feel that my life in embedded (like it or not) in the community where I live. When I walk around the area, I am always poking into things, reading new signs, gazing into new windows, measuring the tides that go up and down and around in the ever-changing world. Reading Jak’s writing is a look through somebody else’s windows, someone who measures his own interests in his own way. It enriches my appreciation of our enclave. So keep going, Jak!
Many thanks, Katherine. Hard to imagine living anywhere other than the Drive.
Utne Reader agreed about the Drive.(November-December 1997)
I do wish Jak King would notes changes on the upper floors of the buildings, offices and such.
The Mercato 2nd floor mix has changed substantially when Vancouver Health Unit moved out to WestBanks little block-breaker on Broadway at Commercial.
I do my best to look up. However, I am on old fart and by the time I reach Il Mercato from Broadway I am so exhausted that I need to sit at Tim’s for a rest. When that is done, I have forgotten to look upstairs. If you happen to visit any of these places near the end of a month, let me know what you find and I will add it to the notes with pleasure.
I’m looking through my old photos for some comparative photos, but they are strung hither and yon.
Meanwhile, do you look at Zolo pages, such as commercial stores for sale on the Drive?
https://www.zolo.ca/index.php?sarea=Vancouver%20commercial%20drive&commercial_search=1&filter=1