Many local businesses and organizations have worked with VHF to recognize local history through the Places That Matter plaque project and many more work from and help sustain local heritage buildings and sites found on the Heritage Site Finder. During this past year, we have reached out to contacts to find out who is open and in what capacity, as well as who has alternative ways to support them during this time. Many are striving to keep serving the community and, where possible, we encourage you to support these organizations and other local businesses in your area.
Please note that as the situation continues to evolve, all information below may not be current. For up to date information please visit the partner websites directly.
If you are a legacy business, heritage site, or museum we invite you to contact us about inclusion on this webpage. The situation for many businesses and organizations can change quickly. Please confirm open hours and available programming with individual listings before visiting, and please let us know of any errors or corrections.
Places That Matter Sites and Project Partners
All India Sweets & Restaurant – Open with social distancing measures in place
Arts Club Theatre Company – The Arts Club is closed until further notice; contact them via email. Check out their new audio plays
BC Heritage Fairs – 2020 fair offered virtually; information on 2021 fair coming soon. Sign up online.
Benny Foods – Open regular hours
Bloedel Conservatory – Open under new, enhanced operational procedures to ensure public, member, and staff safety. Tickets are only available for purchase online and members are also required to book in advance
Cartems Donuterie – Locations are open with safety measures in place. Pre-ordering available online
Cedar Cottage Community Garden – Garden is open with safety and social distancing guidelines; group activities cancelled. The garden will be relocated at the end of the 2021 growing season
Choices Markets – Open with safety and social distancing measures in place. Online orders are available for seniors, first responders, people in self isolation or immunocompromised
Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC – Visit their Facebook page for posts about ways to support organizations in Chinatown, what restaurants are open and links to virtual lectures and experiences
Chinese Canadian Stories UBC – All resources are online. Please note that the physical libraries at UBC are closed and the Irving K. Barber learning centre is currently only available to students, faculty and staff through booked appointments
City of Vancouver Archives – Public access to the Archives’ Reading Room is now by appointment only
COBS Bread – Locations are open with safety and physical distancing measures in place
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Online and in-person low-intensity programming is running with safety protocols in place
Collingwood VPL – All Vancouver Public Library branches are open with limited service. Their digital library is also available 24/7. Excellent online resources for all ages, e-books and more. The VPL Facebook page also offers live storytime
CULTCH – Please visit their website for current information. Online programming available
David’s Tea – Currently all locations are open with safety measures in place. Online store is also available
Dayton Boots – Showroom is currently closed for 75th Anniversary preparations. Their online store is open
Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association – Through social media and e-newsletters, they are sharing many of resources about COVID-19, virtual downtown events and current information on downtown businesses
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden – Currently closed with plans to reopen in 2021. They are offering online meditation sessions and art tour talks
East India Carpets – Showroom is open Monday – Saturday from 10am to 5pm with health and safety measures in place
First United Church – Supporting emergency shelter and housing for the homeless and community needs
Gathering Place Community Centre – Open with limited programs. Please visit their website for a full list of services
Granville Island – The public market is open from 9am to 6pm everyday. However not all businesses within the market are open, visit their website for a full list
Hamilton Harron Funeral Home – Open with special measures in place
Heatley Block – They are now open with physical distancing measures in place
Heritage Hall – Open with safety measures in place and limited service/options available
Historic Joy Kogawa House – Currently closed to visitors with tours only by appointment. There is also virtual programming available
Jewish Museum and Archives of BC – Online exhibitions, extensive publications and research
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters – All of their Vancouver cafes have now reopened with limited hours while continuing take-out only, physical distancing, and cleaning guidelines
Kerrisdale Business Association – Listing of businesses open for take out or delivery
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House – Some in-person and online programming available, food program (cafe) and community fund in place. Many ways to volunteer and assist the wider community online
La Federation des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique – Maintaining a list of Francophone organizations that are offering resources, services and activities at this time
Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area – Providing online support and resources for the neighbourhood
Mountain View Cemetery – Remains open with physical distancing measures in place, however memorial service bookings are currently cancelled
Murchie’s Tea and Coffee – Locations and online store are open
Naam Restaurant – Open for take-out and limited dine-in with no reservations
Nikkei National Museum and Archives – Open with safety measures in place. Their exhibitions, research and education programming is available online
Northern Building Supply – Their office is open
Pacific National Exhibition – See website for events. Hastings park is open and the Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market runs weekly through April
Purdy’s Chocolates – All shops are open
Ruth Morton Baptist Church – Now called the Mountainview Christian Fellowship, they are currently closed but offer weekly online sermons and activities
Save-on-Meats – Public service is currently unavailable, however they are working to provide 1,000 meals daily to vulnerable people. You can support their efforts by donating to the Better Life Foundation or purchasing meal tokens
Science World – Open with safety measures in place
SFU Bookstore – Physical locations are currently closed, however their eshop is available for a selection of products, as well as online ordering for course materials
Societe de developpement economique Colombie-Britannique – Resources and information about COVID-19 especially focused on small businesses
Societe historique francophone de la Colombie-Britannique – Many online collections and virtual exhibitions to explore
Solus Trust Company – Open however their physical offices are closed with staff working remotely
Starbucks – They are open for limited dine-in and take-out orders with drive-thru and delivery options still available
Strathcona Community Gardens – Open to gardeners following safety and social distancing guidelines, events cancelled
Tractor Fine Foods – All locations are open with online ordering and delivery still available
Trees Organic – All locations are open with safety measures in place
Unitarian Church – Currently closed but services and meetings continue virtually
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Society – Currently closed to the public gatherings, however essential programs and services are open with safety measures in place
Vancouver Art Gallery – Open with safety measures in place, tickets must be purchased in advance
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation – Most outdoor recreation facilities are open for casual use. Visit their social media channels for information and updates on how to use and access parks/facilities during this time
Vancouver Historical Society – New online lectures are scheduled and past lectures available digitally as well as archived online newsletters, resources, projects and the “Story of Vancouver”
Vancouver International Film Festival Theatre – The VIFF Centre has closed the theatre and cancelled screenings. Virtual screening options are still available
VanDusen Botanical Garden – The gardens are now open under new, enhanced operational procedures to ensure everyone’s safety. You must book in advance and purchase an online ticket
Western Front – Open with new safety guidelines in place
Local Museums, Heritage Sites and Other Businesses
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – Currently open, they also have an online database and a collection of free herring fishing videos
Helen’s Grocery – Open with normal business hours
Moore’s Bakery – Open with normal business hours
Museum of Vancouver – Open with safety measures and timed-entry tickets. All visitors must pre-book a ticket online. They are also offering a selection of online content including colouring pages and worksheets, online exhibitions and collection related videos
Roedde House Museum – Open however timed ticketed entry required
Vancouver Maritime Museum – Open Thursdays to Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. They have safety and health procedures to ensure that visitors can safely enjoy the museum. Visitors are encouraged to book online to avoid congestion at the front desk. Virtual resources are also available
Other Resources
To discover other local businesses and organizations that are open, check out this additional resource:
Heritage Vancouver Society – They have created a map of local businesses that are open and operating
Scout Magazine – Local food and culture website with news and a map of restaurants with take out options and temporary outdoor seating