About Us

HxBIA is an organization that takes a leadership role in managing change and shaping a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable local economy here in the Downtown Eastside. Through collaboration with its business members, grassroots, government, private sector and non-profit partners we bridge the needs of local businesses with the capacity of community focused organizations to foster a vibrant, healthy and diverse area for all – whether you’re here every day or just for the afternoon.

Our Business District stretches from the northeastern portion of the downtown peninsula to the heart of Vancouver’s historic Downtown Eastside from Richards Street to Gore Avenue along Hastings Street and portions of Pender, Cordova, Main and Powell Streets. There is no physical crossing in the Hastings Crossing per se but we still encourage you to wander around looking for one. The geography in which our BIA is situated represents the crossing between East and West in Vancouver, a divide that historically has influenced the city’s culture, politics and economics. Today, EastVan swells with pride as many of the city’s coolest projects, innovative businesses and most daring artists thrive in this incredibly diverse and daring corner of the city. The crossing is also temporal, because at no other time in this area’s history has there been so much energy, excitement, emotion and change in the air. We are crossing into a new era, maybe a new paradigm, as our ways of doing things are increasingly questioned and challenged by community groups, businesses, planners and political leaders active in the area.

Hastings Crossing BIA is a business community where innovation is exemplified, where creativity is currency, and where the humanness of enterprise brings with it an authenticity and grittiness that makes our area undeniably genuine. As a Downtown Eastside Business Improvement Association, Hastings Crossing BIA is comprised of one of Canada’s most hard affected urban neighbourhoods. image description Upon the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish people, the present-day Downtown Eastside is where the historic roots for the city of Vancouver were planted over 125 years ago. Formerly the main business and retail heart of the city, the Downtown Eastside (DTES) continues to undergo real changes that affect diverse stakeholders, while presenting both challenges and new opportunities.

We sponsor small events, which are aimed at keeping a neighbourhood feel going. Sometimes they are panels that speak to issues in our neighbourhood, other times they are entertainment like poetry or book fairs, etc. We sponsor LOCO BC which is aimed at getting people to “buy local.”

There have been and continue to be complex issues at play in the DTES similar to those shared by other inner-city communities throughout North America, but there is also an equal amount of determination. compassion and creativity to meet those challenges from local community groups, entrepreneurs, enterprising non-profits, residents, and culture creators of which HxBIA has en masse. Despite the challenges, the DTES is becoming increasingly attractive to new businesses due to its relatively affordable retail/commercial spaces, and its location. The Downtown Eastside’s proximity to Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown, Downtown and its accessibility to transit create an ideal economic area. The Downtown Eastside Plan provides an outline of strategies to help improve the quality of life for residents and community members in the DTES. It was created by the City of Vancouver and the Local Area Planning Process (LAPP) Committee, which consisted of representatives from the community. HxBIA plays a role in managing change and creating a sustainable economy that matches the needs of the local community.