The future of quirky Kingsgate Mall being brought to public consultation

Kingsgate Mall is a Vancouver legend, but its existence might be threatened by – well – the Vancouver School Board. The mall is owned by the VSB, and they’re seeking public consultation on its future.

The consultation is part of the VSB’s Long Range Facilities Plan. They own a total of four non-school properties, and apparently acquired parts of the current Kingsgate Mall land back in the 1800s before the mall was constructed in 1974.

The quirky little mall at East Broadway and Kingsway is home to shops that can only be described as “odds and ends” – a plant shop, a furniture rental store, a Payless Shoe Source, a BC Liquor Store – and has earned a reputation over the years.

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It’s like a depressing throwback to the early 2000s. Nothing is displayed well, and hand drawn signs seem to be the standard among shop owners. It’s where old people go to pace back and forth for hours and get their morning libations.

In other words, Kingsgate Mall is so awful that it’s amazing. It has developed a fan base among hipster millennials and the anti-development crowd in Vancouver – after all, it has not been made into condos yet – and has spawned a parody Twitter account and even an original song.

CLEARANCE SALE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AT THE LIQUOR STORE. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

— KINGSGATE MALL (@kingsgatemall) March 9, 2016

The consultation will come in the form of a “pop-up discussion” at the mall itself from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. Should it close? Should it stay? You decide.

Reviews on Facebook would suggest people are happy with it just as it is.

“what a great place to shop. i found the couch of my dreams at the store next to buy-lo. the hotdog i had at the foodcourt was a thing of beauty,” reads one review.

“I have worked in around Kingsgate Mall for a very long time I LOVE IT THERE, the people are great to talk to; the people that work there are great; the Mall Manager is a great Lady to work for/with. And best of all I enjoy been Santa there!!!!!!!!!!!!” Reads another.

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