OK, maybe it’s not actually genuine Art Deco, but it clearly dated from the 30’s or 40’s. I loved the big rounded corner, complemented by the black tiles. But as a single-story, non-heritage block, its days were numbered.

Check out the graffiti left on the inside walls.

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Since 1989 it had been the home of jumbo-sized fresh baked pies and big scoops of ice cream. Now it’s a Starbuck’s. Though I have to say, I probably visit it more often now than I ever did when it was Miriam’s. It’s actually really nice in there, in that Starbucks sort of way. And hey, the great English Bay view from the window is as spectacular as ever.

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The “House of Envy” was the name of a hair salon which was the last business to occupy this charming and unlikely spot downtown. (It had previously been a concert-ticket outlet among, I’m sure, many other things.)

I had a good chat with someone at City Hall about it, and wrote a letter to help show support for its preservation. But the onward march of downtown development ultimately sealed the fate of this unique space.

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The abandoned home of a long-time Vancouver magazine, Equity, remained on Alberni Street for years until it finally met the wrecker’s ball. I kind of liked the modernist design and hoped it might be rehabilitated… but, no.

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I was always rather fond of this 60’s-era bungalow style office building… simple and modern lines and a certain charming mid-century feel. But condo-mania did it in.

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It was a dark day for Denman street when another bit of historic charm was removed. The precise, scripty 60’s-style lettering was out, and a clumsy new sign was in. The replacement includes Chinese wording, reflecting Vancouver’s new tourism mosaic. But it’s utterly charmless with no finesse to the typography. Sigh…

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