Heritage Place Expects Full Occupancy Soon

By Julia Anderson, Columbian staff writer

Since April 2001, Joni Deans has been happily cutting hair at her Parkwest Studio hair salon at Heritage Place in downtown Vancouver. There's a Starbucks next door, a Subway shop and a wine and gift store nearby in the same complex.

But nearly half the ground-level retail space at Heritage Place, north of Esther Short Park, has remained empty since it opened in 2000, giving the building an unfinished feel.

By next summer, Deans and her neighbors will be a lot less lonely.

Leases have been signed with a variety of new tenants expected to fill the remaining 6,644 square feet of retail space at Heritage, a $25 million condo-retail project owned by The Al Angelo Co.

"We knew when we moved here that it would take time to bring in the right tenants," Deans said. "We wanted them to be selective. Our worry now is parking. ... Getting parking open at Vancouvercenter next year should help."

According to Norris, Beggs & Simpson leasing agent Pam Lindloff, here's what's happening:

• Willows, a retail store now operating at Vancouver Marketplace, will remix its home decor and bath items to include more women's clothing in 1,305 square feet at the corner of Eighth and Columbia streets. Owner is Sandy McCloud.
• A yet-to-be named shoe shop owned by Elena O'Lennick will take space to the north on Columbia. There will be an interior walk-through to Willows. Opening for these shops is at least eight weeks away while interior buildout is completed.
• Tiger's Garden will likely be the name of a new Lao Thai restaurant, which is taking 1,505 square feet just west of Parkwest Studio. Owners are Thevy and Tiger Pravisay, who currently operate Dok Champa at Columbia Business Center. The restaurant is expected to open at the end of February and will seat 30 to 40.
• Sushi Box Cafe, a California-style sushi shop offering take-out, catering services and a limited dining area will be operated by Jaehee and Stuart Rancourt in 881 square feet at 420 W. Eighth St. The shop will be north of the Thai restaurant on the plaza between the two Heritage Place buildings and is expected to open June 1.
• Hopes and Dreams of Children, a children's speciality arts supply store, will occupy 735 square feet at 420 W. Eighth. This store, just west of the Vancouver Gift & Wine store, also will be operated by Jaehee Rancourt and is expected to open April 1.

Lindloff said conversations are under way with two possible tenants for the only remaining space, between the wine and gift shop and Subway. A Heritage Place condominium sales offices will continue to occupy a small space.

"Some of these leases have been in negotiation for many months," Lindloff said. "People have been cautious about making decisions. Our point of view is that things are happening downtown, and if you wait, the space will be gone."

Parking challenges

Lindloff agreed that right now the parking situation around Esther Short Park with its city of Vancouver parking meters, is "a bit difficult."

"We're hoping for more short-term meters and the opening of Vancouvercenter's underground parking next year," she said.

Construction on the $95 million Vancouvercenter project, which includes 194 apartments and an 11-story office building, has been on hold since October. Work now is expected to resume in January, said project spokesman Nawzad Othman, president of Otak Inc. in Lake Oswego, Ore. The apartments and the parking garage are expected to come online July 1, he said. The office building will be opening in late fall.

As for Parkwest Studio owner Deans, she's satisfied with the progress of her own business, which now has 13 stylists and with the leasing progress at Heritage Place.

"We've been busy from the start," she said, "But I'm excited about the new tenants, especially Willows; I love that store."