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The news that a Time Out Market would join the mixed-use development was announced in 2022. Then a splashy list of luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Brunello Cucinelli, Moncler, Versace and others, were announced as part of an initial list of retail tenants in February 2024.
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The first phase of the multi-billion-dollar development, which takes up roughly eight city blocks at the intersection of Cambie Street and West 41st Avenue, was originally slated to open in spring 2025, a completion date that was later pushed back until fall 2025.
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Then last October, QuadReal Property Group, which took over the development from Westbank, revised the opening date, shifting it to spring 2026. In January, QuadReal told Postmedia that “construction is progressing as planned” with a majority of the large public park above the mall, Time Out Market food court, and the broader shopping centre on track to open this spring.
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A retail centre spokesperson reconfirmed the general spring opening timeline again in an email to Postmedia in March, noting more updates would be shared in the coming weeks. A major luxury fashion tenant confirmed to Postmedia on background that their store is planning to open around late May or early June.
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Another Vancouver chef, who turned down an opportunity last year to join the Time Out Market, said they came to that decision due to the shifting timelines, delays and costs.
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The chef, who also agreed to talk to Postmedia on the condition of anonymity because of a non-disclosure agreement, said they were approached in February 2025 to join the food court project. At first, the chef was attracted to the Oakridge redevelopment plans as they had seen the multipurpose concepts do “very well” in other markets, including Asia.
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But after visiting the mall construction space last summer, the chef got cold feet. The development seemed too far off-track from meeting what was then a scheduled opening in November 2025, the chef said.
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“Many businesses and owners consider timing a major factor, and not knowing the completion date concerned me because I had originally planned other projects,” they said. “When I toured the mall, the original expected opening was November, which in my opinion looked impossible.”
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The chef said they are at peace with that decision. They pointed to additional factors, including the planned opening hours, rules regarding operation under the Time Out Market banner, and a commission rate — while startup costs are minimal due to finished kitchen utilities within each unit, the fee charged, they said, was comparatively high.
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“It did not make sense to me,” the chef said, adding they had heard of two other local chefs who had declined the opportunity due to sharing “the same concerns.”
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Despite the delays, the two confirmed Time Out Market tenants said they are happy with their decision to join the food court project, noting the contract allows for confirmed chefs and restaurants to “walk away any time” if they have concerns about their participation.
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The restaurateur also pointed to additional benefits such as the market’s expansive marketing budget, which will cover outreach and promotions, and its handling of costs such as the build out, garbage disposal, dishes and more as extra draws.
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“If we were to build out, buy the equipment, and pay for marketing, plates, etc., we anticipated it would cost around $400,000 to $500,000. We would also have to factor in the sweat equity,” they said. “So, as restaurateurs, we think this is a wonderful win-win.”
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With files from Joanne Lee-Young
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