A head count of businesses on Commercial Drive

Came across this interesting little article from The Republic of East Vancouver's Kevin Potvin about the make-up of Commercial Drive's Businesses. I was rather surprised at how one's perception of what businesses populate the Drive, might not be factual.

He writes:

"The local small independent businesses in a community give a uniquely accurate and sometimes surprising description of the people who live in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Commercial Drive, for example, is world famous for its cafés, of which there are 21 between “The Cut” at 7th Avenue at the north and Venables Street at the south. But there are 23 hair and beauty salons in the same strip. Don’t worry. In 1940, there were 20 cafes and 24 hair and beauty salons up and down Commercial Drive, and in every decade in between, the numbers vary by no more than five either way.

Read the full story here>>