2088 Commercial Drive
There are a number of former gas stations and repair garages on Commercial Drive, but this is the only one where the use hasn’t changed (although the gas bar has gone).
The building dates back to 1928, when W F Gardiner designed a new gas station and garage for Home Oil Distributors Ltd. They hired A J Thompson to build the $9,000 facility, which opened that year as the Grandview Super Service & Sales, seen here in a 1929 Vancouver Public Library image.
The garage sold Dominion Tires, and Coyle Batteries as well as pre-owned vehicles, and some new ones, the result of selling the stock of a Finance Company, with a two new Durant sedans available in 1929 for $1,200 each. In 1932 the baliff’s were selling off the inventory of Grandview Super-Service. In 1937 Gordon’s Tire Service was based here, as well as Grandview Service Garage, who lost H E Keeley’s car when thieves btoke in and stole it.
By 1940 the business had become the Grandview Service Station run by Chas Townsend, with Grandview Fuel Supply run by Arthur Curnew who sold Dollarton No. 1 Sawdust for home heating, Alberta coal, ‘lump egg. nut or furnace’. In 1943 the Crown Fuel Company were prosecuted for selling wood at prices higher than wartime price regulations allowed. Rationing of gasoline hit the gas bar business in 1944, with no new ration books available until April, but most customers already on the last page of their ration book by early January. In 1945 Morrow’s coal were selling the coal yard and buildings.
In 1946 the Service Station had a break-in, with $38 stolen from a ‘hiding place under the counter’. A year later the business was for sale by Mr. Modesto. ‘Attractively priced, fully equipped, body and fender business. Good location, immediate posession’. There was a woodworking business at this address in 1947.
In the 1960s Diplomat brand coal was being sold by Grandview Fuel Supply from the premises, and in 1974, under the warehouseman’s Lein Act, a 1967 Chevrolet Impala owned by David Moss was being sold, and in 1980 Leo Longo was operating Longo’s Collision Repairs. Owed over $1,200 by Michael Goller for repairs and materials, he was selling another Chevrolet Impala to cover the debt, this one a 1972 2-door hardtop. Today’s businesses include Vancouver Auto Parts, who have been located here for 0ver 25 years.
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