London Drugs announced the closure of its Woodward’s location in Vancouver, and many are reacting to the news, including residents and local leaders.
In March last year, Daily Hive Urbanized shared that the future of the location near the northwest corner of the intersection of Hastings Street and Abbott Street in downtown was in question due to safety issues.
It’s not the first business to close due to crime and safety issues in the area. In 2023, JJ Bean coffee shop closed its Woodward’s location for the same reasons.
“We are closing because of sales, but why are our sales down so much, and what else are we dealing with that has led to that decision? We’re closing because of crime in the area, which is stopping customers from coming in,” JJ Bean CEO John Neate told Daily Hive in 2023.
Smashed windows at the TD Bank in the area, which closed in 2024. (@thenetworkhub/X)
According to Clint Mahlman, president and chief operating officer at London Drugs, closing the Woodward’s location was a “very difficult decision.”
Since the news about the closure dropped, lots of conversations and reactions have ensued on social media, including from Vancouver civic leaders, like Mayor Ken Sim.
“It’s extremely disappointing to see London Drugs leave the Woodward’s building. This is a real loss for Gastown, local workers, and Vancouverites who relied on this store for everyday essentials,” Sim wrote in a post on X.
“While the challenges around crime and disorder are real, the City has not stood still. We’ve made significant investments in public safety, including fully funding the VPD and advancing targeted initiatives like Task Force Brighthaven in Gastown and Task Force Barrage,” Sim said.
He added, “Despite this, challenges under provincial jurisdiction remain. Mandatory care was announced over a year ago, yet not a single new bed has opened. Vancouver can’t address these issues alone. Lasting change requires the Province to follow through and act with urgency.”
Amanda Burrows, running for the mayoral nomination with OneCity, issued an email to the media with her thoughts in a direct response to Sim.
“Ken Sim keeps saying the City has ‘not stood still’ – but when a major retailer closes after years of policing-first policies, it’s clear Vancouver isn’t moving forward, either,” she said.
“Sit at community tables and see what actually works: public safety comes not just from policing but from affordability, housing, food access, voluntary treatment, access to low-barrier jobs, and mental health supports. This Mayor isn’t listening.”
ABC Councillor Peter Meiszner pointed the finger at the B.C. Government in a post on X, saying, “Until we see action from the BC Government to urgently get large numbers of people into recovery for their serious drug addictions, this area will continue to decline & businesses will shutter; and people will continue to suffer in a never-ending cycle of misery.”
Others also shared their thoughts on X.
It’s sad what’s happened to that part of town..I used to love Gastown but it’s gotten so much worse!
— Jeff Appelbe (@AppelbeJeff) January 8, 2026
Daily Hive readers had lots to say in response to the closure story.
“The last time I was at that location was over 4 years ago, and it was bad then, so many issues,” one reader said.
Some worried about the loss of LD’s postal services.
“What does this mean for residents in Chinatown, as the only post office there recently announced it is closing shop, and this London Drugs was to be the go-to location. Now there will be nothing whatsoever in the area!”
Others said they were surprised it lasted this long.
“We’ve never made a profit in that location. For us, it very much was or has been an opportunity to serve the community and be a presence in a historic part of Vancouver,” Tony Hunt, the general manager of loss prevention for London Drugs, told Daily Hive Urbanized in an interview last year.
One reader said, “The real victims here are the seniors and people who live in the area that are trying to survive that wont have a place to shop.”
With so many pointing fingers, what do you think the solution is, and who should be responsible?
With files from Daniel Chai and Kenneth Chan