Many downtown stores remain closed this morning following last night’s riots, including one of the hardest hit, the London Drugs at Georgia and Granville Street.
The Hudson’s Bay and Chapters were also hit hard by looters after a riot broke out following the Vancouver Canucks’ loss to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Wynne Powell, London Drugs president and CEO, said his store suffered significant damage and will not reopen until it can be properly assessed.
London Drugs’ security preparations for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup included having eight additional security officers on staff and the same resistant glass and secure metal grill barriers that were in place for the 2010 Olympics.
“We felt we were prepared, but the sheer number and force of the rioters far exceeded the Georgia-Granville corridor's barrier capabilities,” said Powell.
“We are thankful the Vancouver Police Department were able to protect our staff - that is our number 1 priority.
“At this time it is difficult to put an exact dollar amount on the damage and theft the store has suffered but it will be significant. The first floor of the store was hit hard, which houses food, housewares and cosmetics products. There was also significant theft on the second floor of the store, which includes a vast amount of cameras, computer and electronic technology products.”
London Drugs security cameras have sharp clean images of the more than 200 rioters who ransacked the store. So do many of the Canucks fans who were in the downtown area.
A Facebook page has been created and features dozens of photos of the riot taken by bystanders.
Jennifer Harrison
Twitter: jharrisonbiv