Owner Vincent Fodera stands firm on Jimi Hendrix shrine

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      Vincent Fodera says he isn’t selling. Not unless the buyer promises to put up a nice spot for Jimi.

      Jimi had Hendrix for his last name, and some people say he used to practise guitar at a Downtown Vancouver place bought by Fodera in 2001.

      In 2009, Fodera opened a modest shrine for the dead rock legend at 207 Union Street on the site of what was once either Vie’s Chicken and Steak House or a next-door building virtually attached to it. Hendrix’s grandmother, Nora, supposedly worked there as a cook.

      Now developers are eyeing Fodera’s property for condos. But he said he’s not biting.

      “I would sell if they would build something for Jimi, and apparently they don’t want to,” Fodera told the Straight in a phone interview.

      The Jimi Hendrix shrine is at the back of the Creekside Student Residence at 796 Main Street. The two lots, both owned by Fodera, comprise a corner property at the southern edge of Chinatown. Across Union Street are the eastern ramps of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts where Hogan’s Alley, once a predominantly black district, used to sit.

      “Those developers, they don’t appreciate that they would have to spend quite a bit of money on art,” Fodera said. “The shrine would be underneath, with a high-rise on top.”

      Until someone says there’s something for Hendrix, Fodera said, he’s holding on to his property.

      Comments

      12 Comments

      experienceadvertising

      Jan 4, 2012 at 12:14pm

      Great man! Keep it up...they'll give in!

      Q

      Jan 4, 2012 at 12:33pm

      Fuck 'em! Keep the shrine up!

      JamieLee

      Jan 4, 2012 at 1:25pm

      Way to go Vincent!! Don't give in!!!

      Ron D Y

      Jan 4, 2012 at 6:36pm

      Always inspiring when someone does not give in for the sake of profit!

      candersonic

      Jan 5, 2012 at 2:52am

      Nice. Hey Mr. Business Man, you can't dress like me.

      Catfish Submarine

      Jan 5, 2012 at 11:18am

      Vincent- You Da Man!!!! Give 'em hell!

      Demi

      Jan 9, 2012 at 9:40am

      Awesome story, this guy is a champ!

      Harry Annise

      Feb 13, 2012 at 11:55pm

      I went to Jimmies flat in London a big tourist attraction next to Handles house just off Oxford Street.Your place and next door should be a shrine Contact the Micro Soft guy in Seattle who bought Jimmies London flat he would be interested.Why destroy history for a block of leaky condos.

      Big Brother

      May 6, 2012 at 10:07am

      Developers obviously can't see an opportunity from the bottom of the cesspool where they all reside.

      Dylan Welch

      Oct 18, 2012 at 6:48am

      Hi Vincent. I'm proud to know someone cares enough about a great rock legend, like you. I love Jimi, so much, I'm proud to know his music and to learn from such a great master. Please check my guitar work on the website Ministry of Misfits. I'm the guy in green hat, playing Barracuda and Heartbreaker. I'm 17 and my bro is 16 (Devon is the drummer). If there is anything we could do to help out, we'd be there in a heart-beat. I hear stuff (it needs tender care, etc.). Well, call us and we'll be there for any help you need. I'd love to play at the Shrine, and help raise any funds I could to direct towards any help you need. Of course, it would be a Jimi Hendrix set, OH YEAH, so let me know on the contact tab on our webiste: Ministry Of Misfits and I'll be there man. You just name the day, night, time....whatever. We gotta keep this thing alive. I'm very proud of you....even though I don't know you personally. I would like to. Thanks Vincent. You Rock !!!!!