Old Bargain Building

[Lady tehMa]

There is definitely something happening in the old Bargain Building., looks like they're gutting the place. There is a disposal bin outside . . .

Has anyone heard if there are plans for the building?

[Hombre]

I haven't seen any applications for development or building permits for that site. Still, any progress on demolishing that place is good news.

[econovan64]

It would make a nice parking lot.

[Cumungala]

I'm hoping that they keep it and maybe another department store will move in. Thats a prominent downtown building and used to be Woolworths way back before it was The Bargain Shop. Its probably over 60 years old. I think it looks nicer than a parking lot that will probably occupy the property if its torn down. There's already a parking lot behind the store.

[Ken7]

I'm hoping that they keep it and maybe another department store will move in. Thats a prominent downtown building and used to be Woolworths way back before it was The Bargain Shop. Its probably over 60 years old. I think it looks nicer than a parking lot that will probably occupy the property if its torn down. There's already a parking lot behind the store.

Location, location as they say. Limited parking, pay parking and walk a block with your purchases?? I can't think of one thing that could work there at all that is not a summer business at best!

[JUST-SAYIN]

While the Bargain Shop was closing, an employee told me that the reason they were closing was because the building required extensive renovations to bring it up to code (asbestos removal included), and that was why the franchise did not renew the lease. True or not, looking around at that time it did seem like a good explanation. Maybe the owner is finally bucking up so that a tenant can take over?

Too bad, always went to the Bargain Shop when downtown, good deals for low income families and seniors.

If a parking lot is what we need to get people to shop there, then make it. If a massive apartment complex will bring new life to the area, then build it, anything to help. With Bernard Ave re-construction on the horizon, and the economy in distress, it's only a matter of time before plywood replaces the glass in many storefronts!

Has anyone else noticed that some of the restaurants downtown only open from 4-10PM, how can you pay rent on that!

When I go downtown I look to see what's no longer there, rather than what"s new and that scares me. One of the reasons I moved to Kelowna was the Bernard Ave of the late 80's and early 90's, at that time I thought it was one of the nicest streets in Canada,

Of course things always change and progress is not always pretty, but as long as people drive to the strip malls and big box stores on the outskirts, ignoring the very heart of the city, then Kelowna will never be more than one giant strip mall!

While we debate the direction it will go, head downtown, get of of your car, and see for yourself what should be the heart of your city!

[Cumungala]

While the Bargain Shop was closing, an employee told me that the reason they were closing was because the building required extensive renovations to bring it up to code (asbestos removal included), and that was why the franchise did not renew the lease. True or not, looking around at that time it did seem like a good explanation. Maybe the owner is finally bucking up so that a tenant can take over?

Maybe thats whats happening. The Bargain Shop obviously hasn't gone out of business, so they might move back in once the asbestos is removed. :129: I imagine that they will try to open back up in Kelowna. They have stores all across Canada with some in cities much smaller than Kelowna. If not then a Dollarama would be good in that location.

[dlarrivee]

That place was loaded with asbestos.

[econovan64]

The Bargain Shop obviously hasn't gone out of business, so they might move back in once the asbestos is removed. :129: I imagine that they will try to open back up in Kelowna. They have stores all across Canada with some in cities much smaller than Kelowna. If not then a Dollarama would be good in that location.

There are all these little chain stores you usually only see in smaller towns, Stedmans, Giant Tiger, McLeods, Bargain Bargain and the like. They have a certain charm. It would be neat to see one of those or an SS Kresge (retro of course) open in that building but I think those days are long gone now for Bernard Ave. I sense big changes on the horizon, not for the better.

[AirHoss]

. One of the reasons I moved to Kelowna was the Bernard Ave of the late 80's and early 90's, at that time I thought it was one of the nicest streets in Canada,

Clearly, you haven't seen much of Canada. I strongly recommend you travel.

[JUST-SAYIN]

quote="JUST-SAYIN". One of the reasons I moved to Kelowna was the Bernard Ave of the late 80's and early 90's, at that time I thought it was one of the nicest streets in Canada.

Clearly, you haven't seen much of Canada. I strongly recommend you travel.

Yes, I thought about that afterwards, I was young and naive, and not very well travelled at that time. Still, coming from the prairies, it was better than anything I'd seen. Thanks for calling me on that.

[10Sne1]

It's going to be a very "high" -rise.

[Cumungala]

I think they should turn this place into a discotheque. That would be awesome. Think about it, the old Bargain Shop is easily the most old school place in downtown Kelowna and would make a great location. They could take it back, WAY back to 1978. Of course they could have an adults only section with a bar and maybe a strip club too and an all ages section with an arcade, roller rink, lounge and a big open space in the middle for dancing on Saturday nights. It probably wont happen though and Kelowna is probably too fancy for that sort of thing.

[vancity604]

I want to see someone do something with the old A&B sound that is located on leon (Large purple building), that place was massive inside I think it use to be a nightclub also....wouldnt be bad turning it into a large bar and resturaunt. But sadly I do not see that happening since its exterior is infested with "crackheads" and "homeless".

[grammafreddy]

There's no hardware store downtown ....