i love visiting aberdeen centre, especially during lunar new year, and this year, the year of the…read morefire horse, the atmosphere feels especially fitting. bold. vibrant. and just dramatic enough to be fun. the parking lot though, is a whole other story. slow laps, strategic patience, and the quiet hope that someone is actually leaving. when brake lights flash, you quickly signal and ease into a spot, it feels like a small personal victory. fitting for a fire horse year. inside, the tension disappears. the atrium opens bright and welcoming, warm white lights cascading down. red lanterns line the second level in formation, fairy lights tracing the railings. red against gold. shimmer against polished tile. at the centre, cherry blossom trees frame a vivid red backdrop. two lion dance heads rest at the edge of the stage, alert and expressive, as if ready to spring to life at any moment. friends and families move in easy rhythm. it is busy, but not chaotic. lively, but warm. vendors line the walkways with red envelopes, tassels, lucky charms, and gleaming ornaments. conversations drift between tables as families debate which decoration might bring the most luck for the year ahead. tucked among it all, a lego pop up draws a steady line. bright red bricks categorized by size, sorted neatly, an intricate lego dragon display standing guard. kids build instinctively, and with full concentration. parents "supervise" while quietly contributing a few extra pieces for structural integrity. we wander upstairs, pause along the railing, take it all in. and almost without fail, every visit ends the same way: the food court. because no matter how stunning the decor, no matter how many photos we take, it never feels complete without drinks in hand and snacks on the table or to go.

02.12.26 @1pm…read more Parking lot was packed. Will need patient. This asian mall is better than the others I have drop by. But not much food vendors and more modern style for both the place and food.

The Yaohan Centre, located at 3700 No. 3 Road in Richmond, BC,…read more The Osaka Supermarket is a popular grocery shopping landmark in Richmond and the greater Vancouver area. Originally the mall was established by the Japanese Yaohan International Group in 1993, and the Osaka Supermarket was also was built upon a foundation of Japanese operational philosophy. The ownership was transitioned to T&T Supermarket Inc. and eventually Loblaw Companies Limited, the "Osaka" brand is maintained to a unique value proposition: The traditional standard style of Japanese Service. The Value of the Service shopping at Osaka Supermarket is not just in the selection of the freshness products; also enjoying the storekeeper disciplined service for the customer-centric environment that has been maintained since its inception.

A massive centre bustling with food vendors and a massive grocery store…read more The food court really made me feel like I was in a night market. So many vendors with so many options. The food was laid out so picturesque at some stalls as well. Everything was very much made fresh to order as well. The facility itself is fairly clean and the restrooms seem to be serviced regularly. I do wish the entrances smelled less like cigarettes but they can't really control what goes on outside and the way that it wafts inside.

cf richmond centre really does have it all, uniqlo, zara, h&m, the apple store, muji, the lego…read morestore, sephora, basically all the staples you actually want in one place and then some. it makes running errands or doing a proper shopping trip super easy, especially if you're the "one stop and done" type. a little context that makes it even more impressive: it's one of the major shopping hubs in richmond and sits right by the canada line's richmond-brighouse station, so getting there by transit is effortless. the mall has been around since the 1980s, but it's now in the middle of a major, multi phase redevelopment that's gradually transforming the whole area into more of a modern, mixed use 'downtown' core with residential towers, expanded retail, and new public space. if it feels like it's evolving, that's because it literally is. inside, instead of a typical boxy layout, the mall follows more of a soft loop. the corridors gently curve and wrap around in an irregular oval shape rather than forming a square or straight line. it feels organic, almost like it grew over time and that flow makes it surprisingly easy to cover ground without feeling like you're walking a marathon. you naturally pass storefront after storefront as the space opens into wider halls and seating areas, so it never feels like a long, narrow hallway. it's bright, open, and comfortable enough to spend a few hours in, whether you're on a mission or just wandering with a coffee. the food court, the dining terrace is solid too. good variety, lots of seating, and generally well maintained. you've got quick bites, plenty of asian eats (as you'd expect in richmond), and the usual comfort options. it's not trying to be a gourmet destination, though there's a few restaurants, and reliable fuel for round two of retail therapy. there have also been some fun activations lately. during an olympic themed event, they set up a mini bobsled experience and even a curling activity where people could try their hand at sliding stones. it gave the space a playful, community energy that made it feel like more than just a place to shop. of course, it hasn't all been additions. the loss of the bay marked the end of an era and left a noticeable gap for longtime shoppers. it was one of those anchor stores that felt tied to the mall's identity, so its closure definitely shifted the atmosphere. the main downside right now is the construction. some entrances are blocked and navigation can take a minute to figure out. the signage helps, but you might accidentally do an extra lap thanks to that curved layout. still, parking is free, as it should be and in metro vancouver, that alone feels like a small win. overall, it's still one of the better malls in the area, and it's clearly in transition. if this is the "during construction" version, the finished product should be pretty exciting.

CF Richmond Centre feels like a teenager who hit a growth spurt too early and never quite figured…read moreout what to do afterwards.  Sure, it's got the Apple Store gleaming aspirational techheads, a handful of designer storefronts trying their best to look worldly, and a food court upstairs that--on paper--should be a damn good reason to linger. It's polished, modern, almost smug in its stainless-steel confidence. And yet... you walk through on what should be a busy day, and the silence hangs around your ankles like fog at dawn.  There's an emptiness here, a kind of mall ennui, as if the place is waiting for someone--anyone--to decide what it's supposed to be when it grows up.  Are you going to be high fashion and chic or will you be another bargain mall? Meanwhile, just across the way, McArthurGlen is sucking up all the oxygen like the loud, flashy cousin who shows up at the family reunion with new teeth, discount luxury, and a better Instagram account.  That's the place people actually go--destination shopping, outlet energy, crowds spilling out of every corridor. CF Richmond? It becomes the afterthought, the "well, we're already in the area so maybe we'll swing by" mall. The mall equivalent of a consolation prize - maybe the pageant winner will retire and CF-R can have a chance to reign like a real mall... Maybe not. And then there's the parking - OMG!  Years of construction, half-blocked entrances, the slow-motion nightmare of circling levels like a frustrated shark just hoping for a space to open up - that isn't blocked off!  A mall can survive a lot, but it can't survive making people miserable before they've even stepped inside. With The Bay packing up and leaving, the mall loses not just a store but an anchor - literally the ballast that keeps a mall from drifting into irrelevance. They need a heavyweight, something bold, something that makes you say, yeah, okay, I'll deal with the traffic for that. And they need it fast. CF Richmond isn't bad. It's just adrift. A mall with good bones, some shiny pieces, but no heartbeat.  A place that could be great but is stuck in the purgatory between intention and execution. If it wants to matter again, it'll need more than a facelift - it needs to grow up and choose what it wants to be.  Right now, it's just waiting for someone to save the mall. 2.5 stars - take it or leave it.  The Apple Store isn't enough for me to trek there! Meh...

stopped in at city square shopping centre to meet up with a friend for dim sum near city hall, and…read morehonestly, it's such an underrated little spot. on the busy intersection of 12th and cambie, this place has a bit of everything, anchor stores like dollarama, daiso, and sungiven foods, plus a ton of smaller shops that give it a cozy, local vibe. the glass atrium makes it feel bright and airy even on gloomy vancouver days. there's a food court with solid options, kin's market, and a few wellness spots. there's also hot yoga, fitness world, dental, a florist, salon, and spa, seriously, it's like a mini community hub. parking was super easy, two free hours if you validate with a retailer (over $5), and it's super convenient being steps away from the cambie canada line station. not your huge flashy mall, but it's got charm, convenience, and a lot of what you may need in one spot.

This review is regarding the PARKADE only, not a reflection of the mall itself or the stores…read morewithin. You MUST validate your parking at Sungiven Foods for 2-hour free parking, all other stores only validate for 1.5 hours - and I learned this the hard way. It was my first time driving to City Square, and I saw the sign in the parkade that read "Enjoy 2 hours free parking with purchase". I went to Dollarama first, and had my ticket validated there. I shopped around, and Sungiven Foods was one of my last stops before returning to my car. As I was driving out of the parkade, I was surprised that there was an overdue balance of $4.25 at the gate, even though I was in City Square for less than 2 hours (I had a timer on my phone). I called parking assistance and they sent Chandani to deal with the issue. She did not want to listen to my situation and was very rude and unhelpful. She kept insisting I pay for the ticket or go back upstairs to revalidate, and then walked away. I understand she may not have any authority to authorize anything or override the ticket, but she did not bother to listen or try to get help. I checked my timer, and saw that I was cutting it very close to 2 hours, so if I had re-parked my car and went back upstairs to revalidate, I would definitely go over the 2-hour limit. I paid the ticket and checked the website when I got home, and I understand that the City Square regulations states: -90 minutes FREE parking with a minimum $5.00 purchase from City Square retailers. -One retailer stamp per parking ticket allowed. Please bring your parking ticket along with you to the retailer for validation. I am upset because there was no indication (either on the website on signage posted in the mall or parkade) that the retailer stamp HAD to be from Sungiven Foods specifically (and be validated there first) in order to qualify for 2-hour free parking (instead of 90 min). Chandani also gave me the wrong information, and I would not have been able to re-validate at Sungiven foods anyways if I went back upstairs, as only one retailer stamp per parking ticket is allowed (as per the website). I did email the admin at City Square as well with my concerns over the signage, and asked for a possible refund. Chasity from Reception & Administration directed me to Precise Parklink in regards to the ticket refund. I didn't bother contacting Precise Parklink because on paper, I did exceed the 1.5 hour parking limit, but the reason for this is because of the misleading and unclear signage in my opinion.

parking: free but the parking lot is HORRIBLY designed. i went on a Monday evening and it took 45…read moremins to leave the parking lot stores: they offer a decent amount of stores. there's Aritzia, Polo, Sandro, oak+fort, zwilling, etc. I went on Boxing Day weekend and the sales were subpar main takeaway: take the train in if you can! it'll save you a headache. or try going at a non-impacted time (I.e., weekday afternoons?)

Loved all the Holiday decor…read more Lots of lights and decorations. Super windy out so I wasn't able to stay as long as I would have liked to. Holiday sales a plenty! I'll be back for sure.

02.12.26 @2:30pm To…read moremy surprise, Parker Place in my opinion is one of the best asian center compare to all the others I visited in the area.

If you are more of a shopper than this place is for you. If you are a foodie, don't bother coming…read morehere. This is a cool mall with a lot of cool shops. Some of these shops are ones that you can only find in the 604. Seems to be more of a place where Asian Ma and Pa stores thrive without drama from the rest of the city. There are a lot of herb stores as well as fashion boutiques as well. Every time I step foot in this mall I feel like I am in Hong Kong. I am really feelings the 604 love here. I would come here again if I could. Drawback: If you are looking for good food, please go somewhere else because their food court is limited. Good news is these are foods that you don't see in US Asian shopping centers. The size of this mall is the same as Mustafa Center in Singapore. If you want bigger go somewhere else.

Wow! Great prices and great place to pick up Christmas gifts! I shopped here today and it was my…read morefirst time here. I was surprised by the quality and sales prices. Check it out! I will be back after Christmas for my own shopping needs!

From the owner: Our Columbia factory store is located in Richmond, British Columbia at Vancouver Airport. We carry…read moreinnovative outerwear, sportswear, footwear, and accessories for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Stop by our outlet store before you take on your next adventure this fall and winter. We have men's and women's snow boots, fleece jackets, snow pants, and insulated winter jackets to keep you warm this season. Whether cross-country skiing on Cypress Mountain, snowtubing on Sasquatch Mountain, or skiing on Mount Seymour, we have the equipment to fuel your outdoor thrills. Shop our large inventory of performance products that will keep you warm, dry, cool, and protected year-round.

Another nice satellite neighborhood in Vancouver - Kerrisdale oh Kerrisdale!…read more I like this little neighborhood south of downtown Vancouver. It would be a nice area to live in. It has a small walkable business area with loads of shops and restaurants. Well, not loads per-say, but enough. All locals here. You won't find many tourists because there is not a lot touristy stuff to see. You can connect to Arbutus trail (used to be train tacks) here and bicycle all the way to downtown. Also, it's a good place to travel on easily public transport to University of British Columbia (UBC) on West 41st Avenue. Good community vibe.

Hidden Gem of at least 2 - 3 blocks of a variety of mom and pop stores and some, very few major…read morechains like Starbucks & McDonalds. You can finish the block if you were to go into each and every store in about 1 - 2 hours (I have done this in a span of around 3 visits. It runs from W. Boulevard to Larch street along W. 41st. I visit the area at least 2 times a month on the way to see my best friend in the Dunbar area. 98% of the shops here have a very friendly vibe to them with the exception with the tea house (see review of that). Rain or shine I love walking in this hood.

The mall is old and tired looking and it shows. Fortunately the washrooms have been upgraded to…read morethis decade so it is decent. It is quite sprawling and confusing. It does have anchor tenants at all sides, so remember where you come in from. What I appreciate about this mall is the prices at the food court. I'm not sure if there is an agreement or something, but most of the food operators have at least a couple of items under $10, making it very affordable. Some even sell coffee or tea at under $2. You do see many elderly Asians here, maybe that's why there is cheaper options? They do occupy the tables at the food court chatting for a long period of time. Think of this as another version of Timmies, but with more food options. I was told the T&T here is the largest and it is busy at all hours. The parking area near it is always full. Park elsewhere where it has more empty spots. I like this Asian mini mart (Smart Save) where you can get many food stuff from Asia that are not available in T&T. There is also Langley Farm Market here which has nice produce. There are also Daiso, Dollarama, JYSK, Forum home appliances, etc here. Interesting mix of tenants. Crowded on weekends especially when there are special events in the atrium. It's like a typical mall you will see in Asia, packed with families.

If not for the T&T, a couple of the restaurants, and free parking lot, this mall would be a 100%…read morepass. It's outdated and the shops aren't inspiring or interesting for the most part. Since it has its own sky train station stop, I'm just waiting for the mall to be renovated/updated.

One of my fave villages in Vancouver!…read more Conveniently located at edge of the UBC campus, this village is great for doing some shopping, eating or just relaxing. With businesses like Save-on-Foods, RBC bank, Blenz, BC Liquor Store, Rogers' Chocolates, Murchie's Fine Tea, Jugo Juice, and restaurants like Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodles, and BierCraft, you pretty much have everything you could possibly want in one village. There are also dentists & barbers here, and a brand new community centre (Wesbrook Community Centre) that opened just recently. Since I live quite nearby, I enjoy spending time in this cozy village after work or on the weekends. There are some free 2 hour parking spots underground, and also in the lot near Save-on-Foods. A true gem of a village that probably not many people (who aren't UBC students or campus residents) may know about.