Update on Pale Fire’s Liquor License and Extended Fundraising
Thank you for your generous and patient support this year. Over 100 members of our beloved community (acknowledged above!) have contributed funds to help us acquire a liquor license and stay open in the process. I’ve been looking forward to sharing the process thus far.
On June 31, 2025 I submitted an application to the BC Liquor Review Board, who directed our application to the City of Vancouver’s Development, Buildings, & Licensing department for adjudication. Over the first eight weeks, our eligibility for a non-traditional liquor primary license was assessed. The review considered the zoning changes in our neighbourhood that are currently underway, instigated by the Broadway Plan. While we waited, we completed an elegant renovation of our gallery’s exterior facade that included removing the awning, revealing a row of clarestory windows and giving the building a much needed paint job.
At the end of August, our eligibility was approved and we paid our application fee. Over the following two months the gallery's building plans and occupancy designation were assessed, provoking a special inspection. In December, the inspector made a list of recommendations to update the gallery’s fire and safety standards, which are required for our assembly occupancy permit to be granted. We have booked those renovations to take place at the beginning of March. Upon completion and inspection, we expect our occupancy permit to be granted. Fingers crossed!
On March 19, a billboard inviting community feedback on our application, will be erected in front of the gallery. Stay tuned–we will send out an email with instructions on how to convey your support! The window for submitting input is four weeks, concluding on April 20. The response from that process will be taken to city council for a vote on our application.
We are currently fundraising to cover the upcoming expenses: Fire Safety and Supression System Upgrades, Security System Upgrades, Kitchen Food Safety Upgrades.
Pale Fire’s salon is a sanctuary that welcomes Vancouver’s art community to celebrate the gallery’s artists and their exhibitions. It’s an affordable and relaxed place to gather and reflect on our shared life in art, to recognize our achievements, and to welcome guests to the city. If you haven’t visited the salon, you can watch a video portrait of it here. Please contact Amy Kazymerchyk with any questions at amy@palefireprojects.com.
How to make a donation:
1. Credit card or Paypal (via cart below). *A 3% Stripe/Paypal processing fee will be taken from your donation.
2. E-transfer to amy@palefireprojects.com *No fee! Please note “Pale Fire Salon Donation” in your e-transfer.
3. You can rent the salon for a private event.
* We would like to thank all of our donors publicly. If you would like to donate anonymously, please add a note to your donation or email amy@palefireprojects.com
* Unfortunately we cannot issue tax receipts for donations and they are not tax deductible.