Coming up on Sunday, June 3rd from (10 am – 5 pm) is the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s 10th Annual Heritage House Tour.
One of the sure hits will be Le Marché St. George at 4393 St. George Street (map here):
Le Marché St.George, the vision of a self-described unconventional young family, is a charming 2012 version of a corner grocery store. Local families congregate to drink delicious cappuccinos, eat flatbreads and stuffed croissants, buy local and imported gourmet products and exchange neighbourhood news. This re-invention of the corner store is happening throughout the city.
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The building was contructed c. 1914. The current owners began work on the building in January 2010. Now 2 ½ years later, their vision for the original building is almost complete: the stucco is removed, the original siding is repaired and ready for paint, the aluminum sliding windows have been replaced with style and era appropriate double-hung wood windows and the store has a constant stream of customers. Their own house at the rear of the store reflects their artistic roots.
Although the interior of the store looks aged, it is the work of the owners and their family. By applying wallpaper, then plaster and finishing it off with a coating of coffee grounds, they achieved the ‘old world’ look they were after. The flooring is what was revealed after peeling off layers of linoleum. The red battleship linoleum from a previous incarnation is still in the store’s kitchen.
Photo credit: Martin Knowles
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Self-guided tour of 10 houses includes a church converted to strata units, Shaughnessy mansions, Cedar Cottage homes, a restored corner store, and an old wood frame bank building with strata units to the rear.
Tickets are $40+hst. To purchase tickets or for more info visit: www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org or call 604 264 9642
