Store space goes from Brit to Bosa

Brit Store owner Andy Bradshaw moved the retail outlet that featured British goods to Surrey's Newton neighbourhood last year. Building owner David Sarraf has leased the space to Bosa Properties to use it as a sales centre for its 1000 Quayside Drive development.

image credit: Mario Bartel/NewsLeader file photo

A Downtown New Westminster storefront known for peddling steak and kidney pie, British biscuits and haggis will now be used to sell Quayside condos.

The space at 659 Columbia St., which used to house the popular British Store before it moved to Surreys Newton neighbourhood, has been leased to Bosa Properties, said building owner David Sarraf. It will serve as Bosas presentation centre for the 1000 Quayside Drive project.

Bosa plans to build towers of 28 and 23 storeys with 519 units in the parking lot adjacent to the Inn at the Quay.

Sarraf said the two-year lease will allow the market to develop.

He believes once tenants move into the new Anvil Centre office building and other construction projects are completed there will be more demand for retail Downtown. But until then he has someone occupying the storefront.

It worked out for me perfectly, said Sarraf. Bosa are very good people to work with.

Sarraf said hell get some of the benefit of enhancements Bosa is doing to the ex-Brit Store space. The lease doesnt include the second floor office space. Sarraf plans to eventually restore that part of the building, including redoing the facade to expose some historically significant windows.

David Sarraf owns many historical properties along Columbia Street that he renovates. Mario Bartel/NewsLeader file

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Store space goes from Brit to Bosa