Five Favourites: Denman Street
Today I’m taking you on quick little tour through my downtown neighbourhood. It’s tough to narrow it down, but I’ll share five of my favourite spots on Denman Street:
Tango’s Gourmet Meats
865 Denman Street
Great cuts of beef, lamb, pork and chicken, an array of cured meats, and a selection of salads and cheeses are the main draw of this fabulous little butcher shop. The guys behind the counter are fantastic. Brandon and his staff are always knowledgeable and really helpful with special requests and cooking advice. While they put together my order, I can chat with other customers (who says living downtown means you don’t know your neighbours?) or peruse their carefully stocked shelves of pastas, jarred sauces, and other goods. Not only is their service great, but there’s just something more appealing about meat wrapped in old-fashioned butcher paper instead of a plastic-wrapped styrofoam tray.
Constituency Offices
Both my MLA, Spencer Chandra Herbert, and my MP, Hedy Fry, have their constituency offices on Denman Street. Mr. Herbert is at 923 Denman Street, and Dr. Fry is tucked into Denman Place Mall at 1030 Denman Street.
It’s easy to feel like politicians are distant figures, caught up in drama in Victoria and Ottawa, and detached from the neighbourhoods they serve. But with both of their offices so close to where I live, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with both of my representatives in person, and discuss the issues that matter to me. Whether I voted for them or not, it comforts me to know that the people elected to represent my neighbourhood have a presence just around the corner from my home.
Vancouver Public Library – Joe Fortes Branch
870 Denman Street
The local branch of the library is a hub for the community, serving kids from the local high school as well as the many seniors who live in the area. It’s been a life saver for me on rainy days, as I sit in the kids’ section with my son and read story after story. My three-year-old already has his own library card, and loves picking out books himself every week. He says the books are to “take home for a little while”. I love how excited he gets about reading!
South Van Produce
*Now closed
1057 Denman Street
I love this little mom ‘n’ pop grocery store at the corner of Denman and Comox. They have a good selection of everything you need, good prices, and lovely flowers. The service is friendly, and they recognize my son and know how much he likes to be the one to hand them money for our purchases. They also have loads of local produce in the summer – something that’s often not easy to find in the larger grocery stores.
A-maze-ing Laughter
Sculpture by Yue Minjun, Morton Park, off Denman at the foot of Davie
There are almost certainly sophisticated arty reasons why I should love this sculpture at the foot of Davie Street, but the truth is, I love it for its whimsy. I love it for the delight my son gets from making big booming sounds by banging on its hollow legs with his hands. I love it for the way tourists and locals alike pose in front of it, as if they can’t help but imitate the way the sculpture’s arms and legs are positioned. Everyone walks away from this installation with a smile on their face. What’s not to love about that?
Now I’ve shared with you five places I love in my neighbourhood. Will you share what you love about yours?
