How often do you visit No. 3 Road in Richmond? (restaurants, shops)

[tablemtn]

I drove and walked down this particular road for the first time in a few years, and the changes were very impressive. There are - at the least - dozens of new restaurants, and the proto-malls of years past have fleshed out into full-fledged shopping plazas with dozens of stores and venues.

Many of them are oriented toward the Cantonese-speaking market, but others certainly seem welcome.

I notice that some downtowners or non-Richmonders seem unaware of the scale of development along that stretch of road, and figure that Commercial Drive or downtown's Chinatown offer basically the same experience.

In years past, that may have been true. But No. 3 Road has really managed to create "its own weather," as it were. It feels more suburban than most of Vancouver, but if you haven't visited in a few years, you might be surprised at its development.

It's probably unique in North America in terms of the size and spectrum of East Asian cuisine and retail it now offers.

[mishigas73]

In the past 4 years or so I've been going up there, I've seen TREMENDOUS changes. (Not the least of which is the skytrain...I can say that I saw 3 Road WAY back when you could see from one side to the other without the concrete obstruction. .)

When I am up there, I spend the bulk of my time in Richmond. There certainly isn't a lack of things to do, see and eat there.

[thedwightguy]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

I drove and walked down this particular road for the first time in a few years, and the changes were very impressive. There are - at the least - dozens of new restaurants, and the proto-malls of years past have fleshed out into full-fledged shopping plazas with dozens of stores and venues.

Many of them are oriented toward the Cantonese-speaking market, but others certainly seem welcome.

I notice that some downtowners or non-Richmonders seem unaware of the scale of development along that stretch of road, and figure that Commercial Drive or downtown's Chinatown offer basically the same experience.

In years past, that may have been true. But No. 3 Road has really managed to create "its own weather," as it were. It feels more suburban than most of Vancouver, but if you haven't visited in a few years, you might be surprised at its development.

It's probably unique in North America in terms of the size and spectrum of East Asian cuisine and retail it now offers.

It has that "American City" look choked with retail, but with the Millenium Line now going right to #3 Roads' main mall I can walk to my favourite night market and/or aquarium shops. I agree that it's completely different than Chinatown, which is more historic and Cantonese than the new Mandarin in Richmond.
And EVERYONE drives their car in Richmond whether they need to or not, which makes the corner of New Westminster Highway and 3# Road a disaster area or driving challenge depending on how you look at it. And I drove in Los Angeles.
Richmond has always been for the new, moneyed Chinese arrivals, including several on the run from international warrants. If you're back, pick up a copy of the New Asia Post, based in Richmond. It's about the only newspaper I read any more.

[afici0nad0]

i've visited stores along No3 road on a regular basis, but i never drive on that street. worst street ever. traffic lights every 100 feet and retarded traffic.