Here’s What They’re Saying About Main Street

South Main Street (SoMa) has come a long way in the last twenty years to become one of the hippest places in all of Vancouver. It’s been a full-fledged cultural revolution with sleepy antique stores suddenly getting funky indie boutiques as neighbours, and crusty bars like the Biltmore getting a full-on makeover to become the place to be for live indie music.

Kingsgate (Sketchgate) mall was once a place to avoid at all costs. Now it’s surrounded by amazing sushi restaurants, more than four pho joints, and interesting local coffee shops named after philosophers. The once-industrial area lower than Broadway has undergone a radical shift as well. The dealerships and TV repair places have now all been replaced with galleries, vegan eateries, hip bars, and coffee shops.

Just by walking west on Broadway, you’ll find some of the best outdoor outfitters in the world, all nestled in a row, just waiting to rent you snowshoes, or hook you up with kayak gear, or those Vibram five-finger shoes. There’s a print shop, two Indian restaurants, and even a place to work on your tan.

The area has changed a lot since the nineties. And it keeps on evolving.  But don’t just take our word for how cool Main Street has become. This is what the papers are saying.

The Vancouver Sun has praised the cultural gems of Vancouver’s East Side Cultural Crawl, where artists and artisans showcase their wares and offer a rare glimpse into their studios. It’s a step into another world, one where art and ambition intersect.

In another article, Sun talks about the rare finds you can get at the antique shops along Main. In one example, a man bought a Tiffany lamp, and sold it soon after at Sothebys for a $53,000 profit.

News 1130 raved about the Main Street Vinyl Record Fair on East 17^th. Here you can buy, sell, or trade your vinyl records with other DJs and retro enthusiasts.

And finally, just a few months ago, the Vancouver Sun ran an article about how the modern meets vintage feel of Southern Main made it one of the friendliest neighbourhoods in Vancouver.

So, is Evan a great place to live? Don’t ask us. Ask the neighbours.