(This story is sponsored by the Commercial Drive Business Society.)

Commercial Drive, otherwise known as the Drive to Vancouverites, misses its faithful customers and window-shoppers.

The merchants found along Vancouver’s iconic retail strip have pivoted their business models to continue serving you all of the unique goods and services that the Drive has to offer.

Many of the businesses are offering touchless curbside pick-up, delivery, takeout, online retail options, and personal shopping experiences. Several of the restaurants and liquor stores are even offering delivery services for wine, beer, and spirits.

The Drive has all you need to stay happy, healthy, well fed and hydrated, and to keep your kitchen stocked. It won’t be long until the beloved shops and restaurants return to full service.

As our communities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting local businesses is more important than ever. It’s difficult to imagine the new normal without the comfort of our favourite cafés, boutiques, and restaurants. The future of countless Vancouver businesses is in our hands.

Commercial Drive was recently named one of the coolest neighbourhoods by the Lonely Planet along with being recognized as one of the “little-known enclaves” around the world. This was featured in Secret City from Lonely Planet: The insider's guide to the world's coolest neighbourhoods. Commercial Drive is the only Canadian selection while the United Sates has four.

Lonely Planet’s guide notes that the Drive has “out-of-the-ordinary recommendations for eating, drinking, partying, and where to delve into local culture”.

Commercial Drive is an authentic neighbourhood filled with some of the most vibrant shopping, dining, and nightlife districts that you’ll find in the city. The Drive can boast that it’s home to Vancouver’s own eight-block Little Italy that represents more than 60 years of Italian culture and heritage—this is where you’ll find true Italian pasta and pizza.

Day or night, the Drive offers 22 full blocks to explore with more than 300 distinct merchants. Visitors will find an eclectic collection of boutiques, restaurants, a vivacious live music and bar scene, dancing, theatres, coffee houses, specialty food stores, and bakeries. Spending the entire day wandering the streets of Commercial Drive is a one-of-a-kind experience.

To view the list of merchants or for directions to the Drive, visit www.thedrive.ca/. Follow Commercial Drive on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.