'This area will not be safe': Vancouver residents decry lack of government action after London Drugs closure

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“London Drugs was the only legitimate drugstore in the Gastown area, with an excellent staff and a terrific array of services,” Davie told Daily Hive Urbanized. “For over 15 years, London Drugs has been a vital part of our community, and the vibrancy it helped provide to the Woodward’s Atrium will be irreplaceable.

“It’s also important to note that London Drugs also housed the only Canada Post office in the area, which served thousands of people.”

According to Clint Mahlman, president and chief operating officer at London Drugs, closing the Woodward’s location was a “very difficult decision.”

“We are extraordinarily proud of the Store 78 team and grateful for their dedication,” said Mahlman in a statement. “Over several years, we faced persistent safety incidents and significant operating losses at this site.

“We are grateful to the Vancouver Police Department for sustained support, including targeted patrols, a neighbourhood liaison officer and joint safety walk-throughs, which helped reduce violent incidents against our staff. Even with these improvements, customer traffic did not return, and operating losses and the costs required to operate safely remained high.”

When asked if Gastown residents feel safe in their neighbourhood and in their local shops, Davie said, “The short answer is no.”

“We do greatly appreciate the efforts of the Ken Sim government in adding policing to our area, and believe things have gotten somewhat better than in the years prior, but so long as the courts allow violent repeat offenders to roam freely, this area will not be safe.

“And so long as the Provincial government’s rollout of the mandatory treatment program proceeds at a snail’s pace, crime and social disorder will continue to surround us.”

The Gastown Residents Association is a volunteer-run registered non-profit organization with nearly 500 members dedicated to promoting the health, safety and well-being of the residents of Gastown and Railtown.

London Drugs’ Woodward’s location has lost over $10 million since opening in 2009 as an anchor tenant for the development.

TD Bank, a longtime tenant at Woodward’s, shut down its location in 2024 after repeated vandalism, including a series of window-smashing incidents. It was replaced by a VPD community policing centre last summer in response to the crime and safety concerns in the area.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim recently spoke out on social media about the closure.

“It’s extremely disappointing to see London Drugs leave the Woodward’s building. This is a real loss for Gastown, local workers, and Vancouverites who relied on this store for everyday essentials,” Sim wrote in a post on X.

London Drugs Hastings and Abbott closure also leaves Nester’s Market as the remaining anchor business at Woodward’s.

“We have not heard anything beyond the statements Nesters has made in the news,” added Davie, who has lived in Gastown for 10 years.

“However, there has been talk that if Nesters pulls out, then Westbank, who manages the Woodward’s site, will then close the atrium entirely, which has served as a community meeting place.”

The president of the Gastown Residents Association called on all levels of government to step up and address the issues facing the neighbourhood.

“It is infuriating how little urgency the provincial and federal governments have when it comes to seriously addressing drug addiction and the accompanying crime and social disorder, and we are completely tired of hearing their excuses,” said Davie. “If they’re unable to identify and implement programs that work, then step aside so we can find programs that do work.

“Many longtime residents of Gastown, myself included, fell in love with Gastown, pre-Covid, and have been hoping that vibrancy would return as it once was. Yet, with the closure of yet another anchor business, it seems we’re getting further away from that.”

What do you think the solution is, and who should be responsible? Let us know in the comments or get in touch at vancouver@dailyhive.com.

With files from Kenneth Chan and Amir Ali