By Jen Thomas | July 13, 2022
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live in Chilliwack? Although I may be a bit biased because I was born and raised here I’m here to answer this question and hopefully by the time you are done reading this blog you too will have a better sense of just how amazing our not-so-little town really is!
DOWNTOWN CHILLIWACK BEFORE
Today I would like to take you on a walk through Chilliwack Proper also known as Downtown Chilliwack. My journey began way back in the 1970s when our town was a small population of around thirty thousand people and trust me it felt even smaller back then. You could walk down the street or go into town and pretty much guarantee that you will run into somebody you know. Even though we have grown, I still feel this way because the charm and kindness of the people that live here have never left. I can recall the excitement of our very first 7-11 going up on the corner of Fletcher Street and Victoria Ave – how many times I rode my bike here after school to grab my .25c fun dips! The shear euphoria I felt when I was a little girl when my Dad took me to watch my very first movie (Superman) at the historic Paramount Theater, the grand staircase, the beautiful wood trims and the smell of fresh popcorn, was such a magical night to me, one I have never forgotten. A few years later, I would attend Chilliwack Senior and I would again find myself walking home downtown and getting sidetracked by popping into the vintage clothing stores, knowing that the perfect pair of jeans was somewhere waiting for me!
Over the years I have seen some of these buildings and businesses come and go but never have we seen a transformation quite like the one that began just a few years ago! The revitalization of the downtown area, now known as District 1881 has been a long time coming and it has been a true wonder to watch this area slowly take shape into what we see today. Thankfully much of the downtown charm has been preserved with a lot of thought and planning that has gone into these changes, thanks to those in planning and development including the City of Chilliwack, Algra Bros & Downtown Chilliwack BIA. My childhood dreams of knowing how great downtown Chilliwack could be has finally come true!
DOWNTOWN CHILLIWACK’S NEW DISTRICT 1881
District 1881 officially opened its doors in the fall of 2020 and with it brought a new era and oh so many amazing restaurants, breweries, businesses, workspaces and residences to the area. Cute and walkable you can take an afternoon wandering through all the shops including some of my favourite clothing stores of Hunnis Chilliwack & Magnolia Clothing Boutique. Many times I find myself looking for personalized gifts for my clients and I love to stop into The Button Box and Spruce Collective where I know for certain that the perfect home gift is waiting for me! While I’m busy shopping my husband can take a break and enjoy his favourite – a cold beer, at either TWO of the breweries of Bricklayers Brewing or Fieldhouse Brewing Co. He may be there for a while especially if I sneak off to my favourite shoe store of Payton & Buckle! On Monday mornings when I know that the first cup of coffee just isn’t kicking in, then I head off to Smoking Gun Coffee, the vibrant shop with the sweetest aromas and where I know their cup of coffee will help me escape my brain fog and thrust me into a productive workday of meeting clients and selling some houses! Of course, my all-time favourite is the Book Man, the absolute best bookstore tucked away on Wellington Ave where you will find an endless supply of new and used books – you will find yourself getting lost in this store for hours and why not as it takes time to find the perfect book! The staff in all these (and many more) quaint shops & businesses and all the people that you cross paths with in Downtown Chilliwack will greet you with a smile and make you feel at home, what more could you ask for.
Finding a quiet bench tucked somewhere on the tree-lined streets and walkways of District 1881 is the perfect spot to just sit down, relax and take in all the gorgeous architecture and watch the people passing by. Friendly smiles and familiar faces abound and with the backdrop of mountains and blue skies you surely won’t be disappointed. I could go on but what you really need to do is come and check it out in person…and while you are at it, if you can picture yourself living here and want to make that dream a reality, then give me a call and let’s connect!
https://district1881.com/eat-drink-shop-work/
http://downtownchilliwack.com/
http://www.chilliwack.com/main/home.cfm