Article content A high-end vintage consignment store in Vancouver’s downtown core is packing up and moving on after nearly a decade because of rising crime rates in the neighbourhood. Mine & Yours luxury consignment’s original location on Howe Street is shutting down at the end of the month after crime forced their hand, said owner Courtney Watkins. Watkins told customers on social media closing the Mine & Yours flagship location was “an incredibly difficult choice to make.
” “The decision to close Howe has come as the safety of our team and clients continues to be a growing concern, and we’ve accepted that the Howe Street we once knew isn’t coming back,” the store wrote on . “While the Howe Street store remains a customer favourite and has grown into a $1 million business, the neighbourhood has changed dramatically,” said Watkins in a release. “After enduring 10 broken windows over eight years, we’ve made the difficult decision to close this location and focus on our newer stores and online business.
” Watkins said the store’s problems are not unique. “The downtown neighbourhood has unfortunately declined over time,” said Watkins. “Factors like safe injection sites across the street from the store and an overarching unsafe feel has become the norm.
Numerous shop owners have experienced an increased rate of crime and break-ins in the area as well.” , a women’s clothing boutique next door to Watkins’ store on Howe, has had similar difficul.
