Two hours can make a big difference.
A pilot project at Granville Island's Public Market means the iconic tourist site and foodie destination will be open two hours later nightly. It's now open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving people a bit more time in the evening to pick up ingredients or meals; it had closed at 6 p.m. in the past.
While the space will stay open until 8 p.m. as part of the pilot project, individual businesses still set their own hours and may close earlier. Many stores haven't addressed the new closing time on their sites or social media accounts, but Lee's Donuts has noted it's now open until 7 p.m.
Many on social media were excited about the extended hours, but some criticized the choice in recent years to add pay parking to the island. Currently, there is no free public parking anywhere on Granville Island from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. A discounted parking rate of $1 an hour is offered from 9 to 11 a.m.
"Unfortunately, that free parking was used by a lot of people who were not shopping on the Island. Many who parked and walked off," reads a reply from Granville Island to one commenter.
