Vancouver’s downtown is thriving, but local visits are still down

Come up from the subway at Vancouver’s premier downtown corner, Georgia and Granville, and the picture couldn’t look more lively.“Ukelele Edwin” is strumming his instrument and singing O Canada next to two food carts and a flower stand nearby. People are streaming past, some towing roller suitcases to hotels, some heading for the Hudson’s Bay store where everything inside is being liquidated. Others are rushing to catch a bus or train back to the suburbs.