Blog

The closure of the London Drugs at Woodward’s is deeply felt. For many people in our neighbourhood, it wasn’t just another retailer — it was an accessible place to buy everyday essentials, fill prescriptions, and meet basic needs close to home. When a long-standing, community-serving business leaves, it creates a real sense of loss and uncertainty. At the same time, moments like this ask something of us. They ask us to pause, reflect, and consider what comes next — not just for one storefront, but for the future of our neighbourhood as a whole. Safety and economic vitality go hand in hand Over the past several years, there has been significant public investment in safety in the Downtown Eastside by

Applications are now open for the Downtown Eastside Temporary Occupancy Permit Pilot (DTES TOPP) — a program that HxBIA proudly spearheaded and advocated for to help activate vacant storefronts and lower barriers for new and emerging businesses. The pilot allows temporary occupancy (up to 24 months) with a simplified permit process, free inspections for eligible properties, and reduced life-safety requirements for select uses including retail, artist studios, offices, barber/beauty services, wellness, and health care offices. Applications are open now through March 2028.  How to access the program:Applicants and property owners can start by completing the DTES TOPP online enquiry form on the City’s website. Full details on eligibility, permitted uses, and next steps are available on the City of Vancouver’s DTES TOPP webpage.  Information Session:The City is hosting an in-person info session

The holiday season is the perfect time to support the local businesses that make Hastings Crossing such a vibrant, creative, and resilient community. Whether you’re shopping for the foodie, fashion lover, or experience seeker in your life, we’ve put together six meaningful, locally sourced gift ideas to help you find something special — while supporting the neighbourhood.   Coffee for the Caffeine Lover Hastings Crossing is home to some of the best coffee spots in the city, each with its own vibe, flavour profile, and story. Gift cards, beans, or merch from local cafés make easy, thoughtful presents for coworkers, teachers, or that friend who’s always caffeinated.Try:Nemesis, Prado, Saunter, East Van Roasters, Estratto, Café Duello, Bean on Hastings, Tim Hortons,

 Marching Mariachi Parade — Dec 11, 6–8pm!  A beloved Gastown holiday tradition is growing — and this year, it’s coming to Hastings Crossing and Canada’s first Mexican Barrio! Join Mariachi Los Dorados (@mariachilosdorados) and traditional dancers as they parade through the neighbourhood, filling the streets with music, colour, and festive cheer. Expect margarita + taco specials, lively stops, and a whole lot of joy along the way.   Parade stops include:• Cielito Lindo• Santo Taco• Sabina Mexican Food• La Casita• Monarca Bundle up, bring your friends and family, and celebrate the season Barrio-style.  Visit https://hxbia.com/mex-barrio/ to find out more about Mexico Barrio

We’re excited to share that our neighbourhood has a fresh set of four new banner designs, all created by local artist Gary Nay (@gnayart). Featuring bold, playful interpretations of iconic Hastings Crossing buildings, these banners bring colour, character, and a touch of whimsy to our streets.  About the Artist Gary draws inspiration from the urban environment—taking familiar landmarks and giving them a vibrant, thought-provoking twist. His digital work is “deceptively simple yet curiously engaging,” offering instantly recognizable scenes with a distinctive creative edge. As an award-winning member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a longtime advocate for Vancouver’s arts community, Gary’s work brings a uniquely local spirit to the neighbourhood.  The four banner designs feature: • Woodwards (Hastings/Abbott)• Dominion Building (207

If you’ve walked down the Hastings corridor lately, you’ve probably noticed the same thing many of us have—too many empty storefronts. You can also find this on Water Street, Main Street, and many parts of the Downtown Eastside. Behind those dark or boarded-up windows are lost opportunities: for jobs, for small businesses, for creativity, and for connection. That’s why the Temporary Occupancy Pilot coming soon to the Downtown Eastside, including the Hastings Crossing BIA area, is such an important step forward. This pilot, originally crafted by HxBIA and approved unanimously by City Council in July, will make it easier for vacant commercial spaces to be used temporarily by local artists, entrepreneurs, and community groups—for up to 2 years—without needing major

Get ready for chills, thrills, and cinematic kills — the Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival (VHS) taking over Hastings Crossing from October 15–19! Since 2018, VHS has been celebrating the very best in horror filmmaking — from bone-chilling short films to heart-stopping feature premieres. Ranked #35 out of 665 festivals worldwide, this frightfully good festival has become a cornerstone of Vancouver’s cultural scene, showcasing stories that are as thought-provoking as they are terrifying. Expect a lineup that pushes boundaries, amplifies underrepresented voices, and proves that horror can be both socially conscious and seriously scary. Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or just love a good jump scare, you won’t want to miss this year’s screenings right here in the heart

We are excited to have been a part of completing a memorial mural in honour of Donovan Mahoney located at 312 Main Street. Donovan was a beloved DTES activist, photographer, comedian, and storyteller. The mural features his family crest (Musgamakw), designed by Kwakwaka’wakw Hereditary Chief Waxawidi, and serves as a lasting legacy to Donovan’s impact on our community.⁠ Read more about Donovan Mahoney in this Daily Hive piece here.⁠Thank you to our partners involved in this project, including Culture Saves Lives, 312 Main, and the artist Vincent Dumoulin (@streetarteagle). ⁠Check out the mural yourself in the alley behind 312 Main and enjoy the photos below.

We’re honoured to celebrate the completion of Nothing For Us Without Us by artist Jenny Hawkinson — a powerful tribute to the Downtown Eastside. Artist Statement:“‘Nothing For Us Without Us’ is a mural that celebrates the collective spirit of the Downtown Eastside. It is an homage to the diverse collection of residents, frontline workers, activists and business owners who call this place home. The mural also invites those passing through the Hastings corridor to look beyond the neighborhood’s façade and recognize a resilient community founded in collective action, generosity and care. In the mural, hands linked in solidarity arch over a silhouette of the Carnegie Centre, which is located in what is known as the heart of the city. The heart cannot