Comments on: Small footprint, quality food at Donald’s Market

By: Briana

Briana — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:46:36 +0000

River Market says it will be a "phased" launch. I believe Donald's is opening this fall, but I don't think everything will be open then. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the market finally reopen, and it's hard to be patient! I will get to tour the market later this month, so I may have more to report afterwards. I'll share any news on dates when I know more.

By: The DR

The DR — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:17:38 +0000

Does anyone know when the Market will ACTUALLY be open??? I walked by there this evening and it still looks like it's a long way off from being finished, although the web site says it will be re-opening Fall of 2010… any 'word on the street'?

By: Tri Chiem

Tri Chiem — Fri, 28 May 2010 07:00:51 +0000

When we moved to New West two years ago, I sent Donald’s a couple emails suggesting they take up shop somewhere uptown… the Q is close enough!

We used to live just off Commercial Drive and Donald’s was a daily staple. I hope they don’t change the formula that makes them unique. Tightly packed aisles and just the right amount of selection. They almost always have whatever you’re looking for despite the small footprint of their stores.

Yes they don’t have a butcher but the meats they do carry tend to be very good quality and yet inexpensive.

I’m starting to think that New West is starting to catch up in terms of attracting the right kinds of businesses (small/independent) to bring a neighborhood feel similar to that of Vancouver’s Commercial Drive, Main & Cambie Street.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:29:59 +0000

Go Donald’s!

I was literally jumping up and down yesterday after reading that Donald’s will be opening a flagship store at the new river market. I live in New West but work near the Donald’s on Commercial so I shop there all the time. I have always ‘wished’ that there was a Donald’s close to home. Now there is! As for the rest of the community, there is no doubt in my mind that they will all enjoy this gem of a market:)

By: Jettie

Jettie — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:02:02 +0000

Yep, Uptown Market on 6th St and about 4th carries this line. Not my fav, but there ya go.

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:10:20 +0000

We love Island Farms as well – so much that, until a couple of years ago, every time we came back to New West from our other home in Sidney, we’d stock up on Island Farms milk, cheese and yogourt to bring back.

Then we discovered that IGA and Thrifty’s carry the full line of Island Farms products and Save-On carries a partial line. It’ll be great to be able to get it at Donald’s Market, but you don’t have to wait ’til then.

If there are other local stores that carry Island Farms I’d love to know about them since IGA and Thrifty’s aren’t on my regular flyway.

By: Jettie

Jettie — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:11:04 +0000

Thanks for the review.
I’m fairly new to the beautiful City of New West and love it.
Donald’s sounds like a welcome addition to the city, but I support several of the small shops here already. After living in Asia for many years, I like to shop at different places for my food.
I will be sad if there is no fresh fish section at Donald’s. That is what is missing here! Mr Webster at the Uptown Market offers some excellent meat choices (his bacon is yummy and low-priced). Not too impressed with the veg there tho.
The “organic” food I have seen in Canada is not only over-priced, it is often of inferior quality, IMO (ie, it often looks like compost fodder).
I rarely use ready-made/prepared foods because of their high salt content and poor overall taste. It is so easy to make home-cooked sauces, soups, or whatever. Just freeze and you have mike-ready meals.
I do look forward to visiting the new Donald’s, but as Pat noted, I will not relish lugging my grub up the hill.

By: Briana Tomkinson

Briana Tomkinson — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:06:40 +0000

I LOVE Island Farms. I don’t know what they do differently than the other dairies, but the taste is far better.

As for the butcher, we head over to the Queens Park Meat Market whenever we need good quality meat.

By: Pat Johnstone

Pat Johnstone — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:30:53 +0000

Matt,

thanks for the review. I laughed when I thought about how they would set up the market to fit the local “Quayside” community: Lots of Geritol and 100% Bran? …just kidding!

so far, it sounds great: Lots of produce variety, Island Farms dairy, high diversity of “ethnic” products… I also hear through a little birdie that the market is trying to integrate on-site composting for their food waste are trying to support a small local “community garden”. I agree all we need is a good butcher with organic alternatives to fill a gap in New West, and I may be carrying lots of heavy bags up the hill every week. Actually, Tig will probably do most of the carrying….

By: dearheart

dearheart — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:21:05 +0000

Great review, Matthew! I'm so excited about the River Market's re-opening and about Donald's Market's presence here in New West! Can't wait to try it out…and yes, I would also love a great butcher and fishmonger either in Donald's or in the River Market.