Businesses in White Rock

Over the past 15 years I have observed a continual decrease in what I would consider culturally vibrant businesses. They are being replaced with companies that detract from the life and energy of our community. One of main reasons that good businesses can no longer remain open is because of the ever-increasing rental rates, largely driven by the exorbitant property taxes.
As a result, much of the White Rock beach front and uptown corridor are dying. The only businesses that can afford the high rent are: financial institutions, real estate offices, pre-sale centers, vape/pot shops, and dental clinics. These companies take away from the soul of our community. We need more restaurants, mom-and-pop shops and businesses that are owned by local citizens who love White Rock and are invested in it. There is a constant turnover of Indian restaurants that are hardly busy and seem to just be fronts.
We need more variety. Otherwise we will die out.
Lower taxes and bring back the locals.

Better variety of restaurants. Thai would be welcome. Ideally, less vape stores on Johnston, but I realize that’s what seems to be going in. I love Indian food but we have enough options there as well as Japanese (sushi). Goldie’s donuts is a nice addition. A fusion restaurant with some class, like Food by Fanta in Langley would be perfect. No more pizza joints. Definitely no fast food on Marine Drive. We have plenty of medical services (dental, massage, chiro, physio Etc.) Whole Foods would be a fantastic addition…but not sure where that could go now that we have Thrifty’s.

White Rock needs a Thai restaurant.

Useful to extract for this WR context
April 2026 Surrey Consumer Insights Report Now Available
New LOCAL SPENDING DATA to support business growth
The latest Consumer Insights Report is now available, providing valuable information on spending trends and consumer behaviour in Surrey. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey—your feedback helps local businesses better understand customer needs while supporting efforts to attract new shops, services and amenities to the city.
https://investsurrey.ca/market-data-resources/reports-strategies
Hope past WR surveys and econ dev consults & BIA versions are tabled again 4 public to learn from

Hi! There’s so much more potential for our beautiful little seaside town. It needs a more vibrant, updated and fresh vibe. Diversity amongst restaurants is much needed. Also diversity amongst shops ie: bakery, coffee shops, home decore etc. It’s looking so run down and sadly tacky. Fort Langley , North Van Quay , Poort Moody are some good examples. You can’t beat the ocean views and beautiful promenade, so the shops and restaurants need to reflect that beauty. I know there are many factors that are in play but please please allocate a good portion of our high taxes we pay in this little city into a renewal of Marine Drive business’. I believe there would be a great return in investments. “If you build it they will come!” 😉🙏🏽❤️

There are way too many East Indian restaurants at White Rock beach… You could almost call them a chain. How about a real chain restaurant, earls or something like that even a Macdonalds.. A rising tide raises all ships. Hey and don't forget to rebuild the marina. more customers.

I am currently satisfied with the amount of businesses we have. However I would like to see LESS of AI or tech business to preserve our environment.

We enjoy East Indian Food but it seems to be taking over choices in White Rock…a wider selection is needed and requested. Take a look at our sister city in La Connor, Washington and Fort Langley where a much classier cross selection of stores and maintenance of buildings makes it a desirable destination! The upgrading of the community with underground electrical and telecommunication wires to beautify and make White Rock a desirable community.

Definitely more businesses along the beachfront! The rent per square foot is way too high and it would be worth lowering it so more start-ups and small businesses would be able to afford it. Like others on here, I'd love to see more bakeries, cafes and smaller grocery stores. I also agree that there are way too many vape/smoke shops - there are at least 4 all along Johnston Rd and honestly it's a bit ridiculous.
I'd love to see an amazing seafood-only restaurant too!

Please no more vape shops! We need businesses that attract families and foot traffic to the downtown core. Perhaps a restaurant that actually has a large sunny patio in the same area. It’s great to see professional occupations taking over buildings but they close early and don’t bring any vibrancy to the neighborhood. Mixing the diversity of professional with commercial would be great. White Rock needs to open its eyes about the number of vape shops that can not possibly be operating legally in the downtown area.

No I more vaping stores
No more Indian restaurants would like to see more Fort Langley type community stores
On Marine drive

I would like to see the beach area cleaned up with businesses that would attract people year around. Unlike other survey participants, I think that there are too many restaurants with not enough variety in the area. I would like to see the former Boathouse site redeveloped into a proper hotel/conference center that would attract smaller to midsize conferences and meetings. The boutiques that were there have mainly closed with the remaining having cheap low quality clothing. Have the area become a venue for visitors, not just a walk on the sea wall. Even providing parking and transport to the beach from above would assist those not wishing to make the steep climb.

I'd like to see more appealing shops on the waterfront. There isn't enough variety. I'd love to see more coffee shops/bakeries, maybe a small grocery/produce store, nicer sit down restaurant, sandwich or lunch cafe, clothings stores, art or local makers marker.

Spruce up the beach making it a place you want to be it looks run down empty store and shops,More things to bring people to the beach
Outdoor patios , bakery, coffee shops,
Tapas restaurant live music

Diverse restaurants and clothing and shoe stores

White Rock used to be our favorite place. Demographics have changed so much over the years; White Rock is unrecognizable. Many popular restaurants are gone. Disappointed that we cannot walk our dog there anymore. We do not visit White Rock anymore.

Johnston Road should be opened up from five corners to Marine Dr, lined with craft shops, food venues, hotels etc. Pedestrian friendly, wide. Have cable car like mode of transportation, no cars. Maybe an escalator. Create something unique for White Rock. Might need to expropriate some lands.

More high quality restaurants, seems like every new restaurant opening is fast food or certain ethnic where we already have so many of. Goods that people want to buy, cool coffee shops and cafe’s. Why White Rock Beach is not busy year round is baffling.

Obviously more restaurants on the beach, but a cleaned up beachfront would attract other ventures.
We need to hold the property owners feet to the fire and get some action down there. The sidewalks have never been power washed and it shows.
Maybe a winter carnival would liven up the 'quiet' season.
Sorry but not a cannabis store.
We no longer have a gas station in White Rock ... not the end of the world but an onimous sign.

Currently the waterfront is not very appealing. It would be nice to see a nice coffee shop/bakery, bistro for tapas and drinks, a cozy breakfast & lunch spot, maybe a small traditional pub, more live music and patios for gathering, boutique shops. We need more of a small town feel, not big ethnic restaurants.