Today marks the grand opening of the new and revamped Vessi Metrotown location, which features a unique design element that has never been seen before in Canada.
Daily Hive was invited to the new location for a tour before it opened its doors to the public. The store features some notable changes from the previous version you may have visited.
One of the most eye-catching and notable changes is a unique feature that marks a Canadian first: a MediaTransparent Mesh LED Display. The technology originates from the Canadian company BoomBright, headquartered in Alberta.
“These sleek, modern screens don’t just display content—they draw shoppers’ attention past the surface, allowing them to see directly into the store. By combining up to 95% transparency with dynamic 2D and 3D visuals, the displays create a layered experience that blends messaging with the real-world environment, turning a window into an interactive showcase for the brand and its products,” Vessi shared with Daily Hive.
“Vessi’s stores aren’t just showing a screen—they’re inviting customers into a memorable, interactive brand experience that captures attention and drives engagement,” it added.
Amir Ali/Daily Hive
We saw it firsthand, and it looks very futuristic, while allowing Vessi to display various types of imagery. Currently, in the interior of the store, a video is being displayed on the high-tech screen, sharing information about the innovation behind the waterproof shoes.
Speaking of waterproof, the store will now let customers test the shoes themselves with shallow blue buckets filled with water, for anyone skeptical of the technology.
Amir Ali/Daily Hive
Step in, if you dare. (Amir Ali/Daily Hive)
The rear wall also features a mural created by a local artist named Tyler Keeton Robins. The mural embodies the new theme of the store, centring around fluidity and, well, water. Obviously.
The new Metrotown Vessi store. (Amir Ali/Daily Hive)
Vessi’s revamped Metrotown location also proudly displays some of its recently launched outerwear items, including jackets and hoodies, which feature innovative waterproof technology.
The revamp is the store’s first since it opened back in 2022.
“When we first opened Metrotown, it was a test to see how customers wanted to experience Vessi in real life,” said Josh Larsen, Director of Retail & Store Development at Vessi. “It turned out to be a huge success, and we’ve since learned how to make that experience even better. The new space feels fresh and open. It captures the sense of the Pacific Northwest and the joy we bring to people in the rain.”
Vessi representatives informed Daily Hive that the new store essentially matches the vision they had for it in the design phase, perfectly.
Before (Vessi)
After (Vessi)
Larsen also told Daily Hive that different areas of the store represent various phases of the shopping experience, including the entrance, which allows customers to discover new products before experiencing them for themselves with a retail representative.
It’s a big moment for the Vancouver-based brand, which launched in 2018.