Why we got together
Why Friends of Point Grey Village was founded: From the Pharmacy Campaign to the Village Revitalization Campaign
In spring of 2020 local pharmacist, Safouh El Rayes, learned that after 28 years of operation, that his Point Grey Pharmacy shop lease would not be renewed—the building had been sold. The property’s new owner wished to open a pharmacy and submitted applications to the City of Vancouver. Mr. El Rayes was committed to moving his pharmacy one storefront to the east, and he also submitted an application. The two applications created a “vicinity issue” at City Hall under the Small Scale Pharmacy Policy. Both applications got tangled up in red tape. The community rallied and Mr. El Rayes was able to open his new pharmacy at the end of December 2020. The second pharmacy is still under permitting/ renovation process, almost two years later.
A pharmacist, he has been operating the Point Grey
Pharmacy in Point Grey for 30 years.
Insights
Insights revealed by Save Our Pharmacy campaign:
- WPG has been harder hit than other neighbourhood shopping areas because of the loss of Safeway and new competition from commercial space at UBC/UEL.
- A new grocery store is vital to the future of the Village.
- A retention strategy is needed to save existing businesses since the completion of the new development is at least 5 years in the future.
- WPG library, in the Village since 1978, is a core essential service and must be retained in the Village on 10th Avenue.
- WPG residents recognize and appreciate the businesses that provide stellar and anchor services and want to support them.
- WPG has a deeply committed community of residents who want to be proactive.
The Save Our Pharmacy campaign brought together the community, and one result is the new organization, Friends of Point Grey Village. We want to be proactive, think outside the ordinary, work with the Business Improvement Association and West Point Grey Residents Association, West Point Grey Community Centre Association, Vancouver Public Library, City of Vancouver, and Bentall Green Oak (Safeway site developers.to revitalize the village). It is within all parties interest to revitalize the Village as a vital social, economic and environmental asset to West Point Grey.
Who we are
Photographs of Point Grey
Historical Photos
Vancouver Archives
Vancouver Archives
Vancouver Archives
Friends of Point Grey Village 