Change in businesses changing character of Cloverdale, says Chamber director
Published 9:30 pm Monday, June 1, 2026
With all the construction going on in East Surrey, Scott Wheatley says the area is transforming beyond recognition.
He noted the change brings challenges for both residents and businesses.
New construction includes: SkyTrain expansion in East Cloverdale and Clayton and the subsequent transformation of that area, the continued growth of Campbell Heights, and tons of construction in Cloverdale, including: the new hospital site, the new Delta controls building, the new warehouse going in south of Clover Square village on the southside of the tracks, several residential builds that are bringing an increasing number of people to an area north of Hwy #10, and many other projects.
Wheatley, the executive director of the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce, told the Cloverdale Reporter that with all those builds added together it equals big change for businesses. He noted the pace of construction will likely “catch residents off guard.”
“There’s a lot of businesses, that have traditionally been in Cloverdale, for example paying low rents, and now the rents in Cloverdale are starting to creep up to market rates,” he explained. “What that means now, is that it’s forcing a lot of mom-and-pop businesses out of the area.”
He said that process is slowly increasing.
Wheatley said when new businesses come in and rent old commercial space, they are paying at or near market rates, helping to raise overall rates in the area. He added that new businesses are also coming in to rent newly built space, which is already at market rates. The new spaces are not an option for a lot of mom-and-pop shops or new start-ups.
He said it’s been hard on business owners and consumers as long-standing businesses have left the area. He noted it’s changing the character of Cloverdale.
Wheatley said a solution to the problem needs to be found, but he doesn’t know what the answer looks like right now.
“We don’t want everything to end up being online ordering or big box stores,” he said. “We need to find a solution to keep the mom-and-pops around.”
He said looking at the future of East Surrey, with all the residential construction going in, and with the influx of people that will bring—people that will both work in and out of the area, but will both spend money in the area—a solution to the questions could be around the corner. He thinks with that influx, there may be a way, and a market, to retain mom-and-pops with an increase of available commercial space.
“So, it’s not all doom and gloom, I think the future looks great,” Wheatley added. “We just need to find a solution that balances the needs of business and the needs of residents.”