Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love having the Army & Navy Department Store just across Columbia Street. It is very easy to run across to buy such a variety of things I might need. They are known locally for good deals and value. Even with about five Walmarts within 12 miles, I still buy quite a few things locally. For example, off the top of my head, I can think of the following things I've recently purchased at our Army and Navy:
tuna fish cans, Wrangler jeans, bedroom curtains, a long-sleeved t-shirts, paint brushes, a battery-powered alarm clock, socks, tea, a belt, coaxial antenna cable, and strawberry jam.The store is a real benefit to the community and a blessing for downtown New Westminster. I have heard that it was once an Eaton's Department store, a name that has disappeared from Canadian retailing. Fifteen or twenty years ago, the former "Miracle Mile" of shopping was in pretty dire shape. Now that things are booming along Columbia Street, I expect this particular department store will continue with renewed vigor.
Still, it may be time to do a little sprucing up of the rear exterior of the building. I mean, the city parkade is ugly enough. Throw these horrible looking walls into the area, and ... well ... I mean, yuk! Can't they apply for some re-development funding?
