WillowWay is a distinctive feature of Willowbook, located in the center’s east corridor. Since its launch five years ago, it has continually energized the retail scene by hosting a dynamic rotation of local vendors, pop-ups, and businesses. From custom clothing and jewelry to coffee, pretzels, and donuts, WillowWay has evolved into a must-visit destination within the Centre. The current lineup is sure to grab your attention.
The 6th Scent Candle features coveted hand poured candles, diffusers and more. Their mission is to create beautiful scents that will complement your home. They create a variety of home fragrance products with delightful scents. Their minimal and clean design and top-quality ingredients have secured a loyal fan base. Stop by to sample their 4 newly launched Spring scents: Sandalwood Rose, White Sage, Patchouli Amber and Blue Honeyberry.
Java Lova is known for their love of crafting exceptional experiences in every cup, brining a higher standard of coffee and baked goods to our guests on the daily. From iced lattes to Lavendar white mochas and pistachio waffles, stopping at Java Lova is always a treat.
Mr. Pretzels are the purveyors of freshly baked (and delicious!) pretzels. Their pretzel dough is freshly prepared throughout the day and hand rolled on site. Available in both sweet and salty flavour profiles, the hardest part is choosing your toppings… Nutella anyone?
To further enhance the space, Willowbrook collaborated with local artist Drew Young to hand-paint the 88-foot stretch of WillowWay. Drew brought a unique vibrancy to the area with a one-of-a-kind artwork that captures attention through his bold use of line and color. His stylized, fractured flower designs embody the west-coast aesthetic of the shopping center in a striking, high-impact way. Over the course of a month, Drew brought the mural, titled Dayspring, to life. In his artist statement, Drew explained that the mural captures the quiet yet powerful transition from night to day.
“This piece reflects the subtle beauty of the natural world, where the first light of morning meets the dark remnants of evening. Through vibrant florals, I’ve sought to depict how light awakens the world. In creating Dayspring, I aimed to not only reflect the beauty of this quiet dawn but also to encourage a mindful awareness of the world around us. It’s a reminder that even in moments of stillness, there is energy waiting to unfold. The mural invites viewers to pause, appreciate the small moments, and feel the life around them as they step into their own day.”
WillowWay has become a gathering place, not only for guests to check out the pop-ups but also a great spot to have a coffee or take a quick meeting along the benches and seating. And now with this amazing backdrop, we are excited to introduce you to WillowWay all over again. Check out the how the mural came to be!
Drew Young is an internationally exhibited painter and muralist as well as one of the co-founders of Vancouver Mural Fest. He’s been involved in a number of projects locally from Kitsilano and Ambleside to downtown and the River District. Check out his portfolio here: https://dyoung.ca/