Many of our readers are already aware of the revamp underway at Cascades Casino, to eliminate the Summit Theatre in favour of a new bingo hall.
But several people have been asking me what鈥檚 going to come of the existing Playtime Gaming bingo hall on 64th Avenue. Well, Royal LePage Wolstencroft鈥檚 Jamie Schreder can answer that question for us.
According to the local realtor, the 18,000-square-foot gaming centre and its 1.28-acre site was recently sold for $3.9 million and will be renovated to house the new Wolstencroft brokerage, as well as a restaurant and 鈥渟everal retail units.鈥�
Gateway Casinos also sold a second parcel in the neighbourhood, a parking lot located across the street from Playtime on 197th Street.
The 1.1-acre site, which sold for $3.8 million, is 鈥渟lated for redevelopment to a purpose-built rental building,鈥� Schreder explained.
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Buying in bulk
Speaking of changes in the Willowbrook area, and I鈥檓 not referring to the disappearance of Sears from Willowbrook Shopping Centre or the nearby Outdoor Outfitters, let me tell you about a new business hosting a grand opening this week.
Just up the street from the bingo hall, at the corner of 64th Avenue and 200th Street, there鈥檚 a new Bulk Barn opening Friday. (Original indications said Thursday, but the sign on the door says Friday - sorry for any confusion).
The bulk food retailer with its roots in Ontario has opened in the same mall that houses Shoppers Drug Mart and Dollarama.
It鈥檚 a company that started with one store in 1982, and has since grown to more than 250 outlets across the country, offering everything from the expected dry goods and baking ingredients to pet foods, vitamins, and candies.
For those who get a chance to check it out before me, please let me know what you think.
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New to town
Here鈥檚 an alert for wine aficionados 鈥� although you probably knew it was coming before I did.
Have you discovered Everything Wine, one of 91原创鈥檚 newest retails 鈥� and yes they, too, are located in the Willowbrook area.
The doors have swung open on this new store in the revamped and upscaled 91原创 City Square, on the 91原创 Bypass, just west of 200th Street (you know the one, where Bed Bath & Beyond, Princess Auto, and Toy Traders are located?).
This is one of five such stores 鈥� all in the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island. And, as its name implies, this new 91原创 business is dedicated entirely to domestic and international wines 鈥� with more than 4,000 wines and what鈥檚 called a wine school, daily wine tastings, and a vintage room with some of the world鈥檚 rarest wines available.
Again, if you beat me in there, let me know what you think.
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Pizza swapped out for sandwiches
It appears Subway and Quiznos are being given a run for their money in the Willowbrook area of 91原创.
Coming soon 鈥� to replace the former Flying Wedge, is Big Star Sandwich Co.
Their Facebook page said they expected to be open Monday, but paper on the windows still indicates that might not have been possible.
But it is expected soon, located next to Fat Burger and not too far away from Ricky鈥檚 on 64th Avenue, east of 200th Street.
This is a relatively new franchise company that just started back in March 2013. They have four stores already in the Lower Mainland (Burnaby, Surrey, New West, and Maple Ridge). Another is set to open early this year in South Surrey.
And while trying to find out more about this new addition to the block, I have to express my horror (okay, a bit melodramatic 鈥� maybe my upset) to learn that NCIX had packed up shop. This was my go to place for all electronic cords imaginable. Now, it tells me, if I want them I have to go to Richmond. Sorry, ain鈥檛 happening.
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Prize money goes to new countertop
Here鈥檚 another story from the Willowbrook neighbourhood of 91原创, and specifically the Dollar & Cents store on Willowbrook Drive.
This story focuses on Stacey Green. When the new Clayton Heights resident checked her voicemail at work on Jan. 8, she couldn鈥檛 believe what she was hearing.
It was a message from Dollars & Cents owner Salim Dhanani telling her she had won the grand prize of $1,000 cash in the store鈥檚 recent holiday contest.
鈥淚 was in shock!鈥� Green said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never won anything like this before, I was actually trembling a bit!鈥�
Back in December, she noticed a posters and draw box in store while shopping at Dollars & Cents鈥� 91原创 location.
鈥淚 went to the Facebook page right there in the store and then filled out the ballot,鈥� said Green, a senior learning facilitator at Rogers Communications.
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful鈥︹�� she said.
The extra cash couldn鈥檛 of come at a better time. 鈥淲e discovered black mould under our countertops just last week. It seems there was a leak under the faucet that we didn鈥檛 know about. It was past the point of saving the countertops so we required a full replacement, which we couldn鈥檛 really afford right now. So this money will replace our countertops,鈥� Green said.
The winning didn鈥檛 stop with her. Dollars & Cents also awarded other prizes. Sacha Mayhew Davenport won a $300 Opal Spa package, Kelly Clayton won a $250 Parlour Day Spa package, and Hermine Janzen Hill won a family four pack to a Vancouver Giants game.
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Business after hours
A seniors care facility in 91原创, Sunridge Gardens, is hosting the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce next Business After Hours mixer next week.
This is a free networking event where local business people are given an opportunity to connect with others in the 91原创 business community, and to learn more about host companies.
In this case, the chamber prepares to host is first mixer of the year at the relatively new Murrayville 145-suite independent living care home facility on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The event includes appetizers, beverages, draws, and prizes.
While it is free, pre-registration is required by calling the chamber at 604-371-3770 or by emailing events@langleychamber.com.
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On that subject
While on the topic of senior care providers, a 91原创 provider has been picked as one of four worthy of recognition by Health Minister Adrian Dix.
At a ceremony in Victoria next month, Hank Van Ryk of H&H Total Care in 91原创 will be presented with one of the BC Care Awards.
These awards recognize excellence in the delivery of seniors鈥� care in both home care and residential care, in promoting and supporting workplace safety, as well as acknowledging longstanding leadership in the seniors鈥� care sector.
Van Ryk will be presented with the 2018 Ed Helfrich long service excellence award on Feb. 19.
The awards are presented by BC Care Providers Association, an organization that represents the majority of non-governmental seniors care provider in the province.
鈥淓very day, health-care workers in residential care, assisted living and home care, provide the best possible care for seniors,鈥� Dix said.
鈥淭he BC Care Awards provide us an opportunity to acknowledge this dedication and the incredible impact these individuals make on the people they care for.鈥�
There were a record number of nominations for the four awards, said CEO Daniel Fontaine.
鈥淥ur winners definitely represent excellence in the continuing care sector. We salute their passion and commitment to providing the very best care for our seniors,鈥� he said.
More info: bccare.ca.
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91原创 kids benefit from fitness club opening
It might be a few miles away, but the opening of Planet Fitness in Abbotsford will have a ripple effect on folks in 91原创 鈥� specifically the younger generation.
This is the third location in B.C. for Planet Fitness, which is know for it鈥檚 low rates and judgement free atmosphere. It opened a while ago, but is holding the grand opening for the 25,000-square-foot facility next week.
Planet Fitness, which is hosting its grand opening party on Tuesday, Jan. 23 (Sorry to those who saw my earlier post of Wednesday, Jan. 24. Was just informed by organizers that the date changed), is going to be helping the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada 鈥� and specifically the most local operation here in 91原创 City.
As part of its mission to eliminate judgement and intimidation and promote kindness and acceptance, Planet Fitness partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) in 2016 to create an initiative called The Judgement Free Generation. Supported by Planet Fitness and its franchisees, the goal of this philanthropic partnership is to combat the judgement and bullying faced by teens through program funding, training, and resources. was a sponsor of BGCC鈥檚 2017 national youth forum that took place in May 2017 in Ottawa.
For that reason, representatives of the local boys and girls club will be in attendance at next week鈥檚 opening.
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