New Urban Fare Express store is for foodies

The Overwaitea Food Group opened its first Urban Fare Express at the Village at False Creek on June 8 attended by a few hundred people including billionaire-owner Jimmy Pattison, former B.C. Premier Glen Clark, and Bob Rennie, Vancouver’s condo king.

The store is in the site of the former Athletes Village for the 2010 Olympic Games, and the building was originally the infirmary. It is located about 10 minutes from Vancouver.

Kelly Dela Ronde, marketing communications coordinator, says the Express is about half the size of a regular Urban Fare with an “efficient layout,” new restaurant concept and focus on local.


The lounge area has comfortable leather chairs, free Wi-Fi, and floor to ceiling windows that open out onto the street, seats 50 and is a new concept for Urban Fare.


“The Village needs a gathering spot which is why we have done a restaurant/lounge idea,” she says.

The store is all about the foodie. There’s a huge grocery department, a large natural and organic section, bakery, 200 varieties of international cheeses, and a prepared food section loaded with everything from sushi to Arrabiatta with meatballs.


The cafe is next to the deli, which serves up fresh soups and chicken dishes and is licensed with selections from Blasted Church and other local wineries.

The store also features small local suppliers such as Vij Indian foods, To Die for Banana Bread, Whistler Chocolates and Fraser Valley Gourmet.