Lucky’s Comics forced to leave longtime Main Street location

Grab your comics while you still can: independent bookstore and Main Street stalwart Lucky’s Books and Comics is being evicted from its longtime storefront. 

The best place in town to buy graphic novels, manga and quirky community-made zines announced that their impending closure was now “official.” 

Well, after 25+ years on the block, the days we knew would come is now official. We’re looking for a new home…but it ain’t easy to find! Like residential rentals, retail space has gone bonkers on price. Looking at creative solutions. Maybe even a shared space?

— Lucky's Books Comics (@luckysonline) June 19, 2023

In a Twitter thread, the shop confirmed that its current space would be open for a few more weeks, and that they are looking for a new location. The displacement was looming, given the building’s recent sales history.

“The building we’re in was sold a while back. We’ve been waiting for years to find out when the tear down would start,” the owner said. “Lucky’s and south to the corner of the block is coming down.” 

Lucky’s has been a local mainstay since it opened in the 1990s. Owner Gabe Winder originally opened the store in Blaine, Washington and commuted across the border, before moving the location to Vancouver.   

According to BC Assessment, the lot that includes Lucky’s, second-hand clothing store Lili & Vince, and two apartment units was sold in January 2021 for nearly $4.8 million. 

Lili & Vince posted on its Instagram page last week that the store would be vacating “in the middle of July,” and planned to move locations, though it's not yet clear where. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by LiLi&ViNCE⚡️SHOP ⚡️ STYLE WILL NEVER DIE (@0815victim)

The neighbouring lot, which contained Mid Main Community Health Centre, sold in March 2021 for almost $7.2 million. (The non-profit has since relocated to 2205 Main.)

Rezoning for the northest corner of Main Street and East 24th Avenue was approved last July. The existing two-storey buildings will be razed and replaced with a six-storey mixed use block, containing 60 secured market rental units and storefronts at street level. According to a January rental market report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, average market rent for unoccupied rental units in Vancouver is currently $2,373. 

The Straight has reached out to Lucky’s for comment.