White Rock is known for its unique waterfront, vibrant neighbourhoods, and strong sense of community. We want to hear from you about the types of businesses and services you would like to see in White Rock.
Your ideas can help inform future economic development initiatives and identify opportunities to strengthen our local business community.
Community Input
Share your thoughts by completing the feedback form below.
Feedback can be submitted from August 10 to 31, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.
White Rock is known for its unique waterfront, vibrant neighbourhoods, and strong sense of community. We want to hear from you about the types of businesses and services you would like to see in White Rock.
Your ideas can help inform future economic development initiatives and identify opportunities to strengthen our local business community.
Community Input
Share your thoughts by completing the feedback form below.
Feedback can be submitted from August 10 to 31, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.
What types of businesses would you like to see in White Rock?
Share your ideas in the feedback form below.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
A variety in restaurants. I am a fan of Indian food however Marine Drive has been inundated with South Asian restaurants, it’s quite ridiculous. A pub like the Ocean Park Pub, a brewery style restaurant would be good, sports bar. Also, pottery/art type places that offer group classes/social. The feel could be changed to make it more like Fort Langley or similar. White Rock has lost its uniqueness and feels like a lost little seaside town that doesn’t know really what it is😞
Rave
About 2 months ago
I think the strip needs a major upgrade. Too many Indian restaurants!!!!! How about a wine bar, nice Italian restaurant, Spanish Tapas bar, etc.
Laura Jean
About 2 months ago
An indoor farmers market all year round (that includes mini versions of all the great restaurants), free parking Oct to April
Rhon
About 2 months ago
Pool hall...place to dance..something like pike market in Seattle ...
Bahama
About 2 months ago
-Playground/water park like by stanley park -more variety of shops and restaurants -fresh fruit/veg market -maybe a fishermans market on the pier -place to rent paddleboards, kayaks etc
Rissa
About 2 months ago
Less Indian restaurants Free parking for eating at restaurants
Jaki
About 2 months ago
Not sure if we need more restaurants; maybe more things to do that doesn't focus on eating/drinking. artisan market, art studios, sauna, wine bar. definitely cheaper parking
wrer
About 2 months ago
The parking fees are insane on Marine Drive ….sorry but it’s a huge deterrent for us now , we choose Fort Langley now
Brad
About 2 months ago
-Local Art Co operative. ( I could have it filled in a month) -original clothing shops. No chains - Market with flowers. Bakery and fruits and veges. Like the one in Coombs. - trendy coffee social house
Elisabeth Leach
About 2 months ago
Removed by moderator.
Elisabeth Leach
About 2 months ago
Start by revisiting the idea of buying the BNSF right of way and removing the trains from the waterfront. There should be a better way to get train traffic to and fro without having to go around Semiahmoo peninsula. Then make the promenade more than just a narrow walkway. Perhaps add some park like spaces and maybe even a couple of live entertainment areas.
Mynameisnobody
About 2 months ago
More vendor stalls of local Canadian arts and drafts along the lined trees.
Fall rainy seasons and grey winter days should be filled with more heated vendor stalls so that all things can be all year round inviting.
Invite business that does car window serving.
Business should be the one making profits and pay the taxes to city. The city or the parking companies “should not” profit from expensive parking hours. A three hours there now costs $15 on the city meter is a counter community service.
Tammy Truong
About 2 months ago
No more East Indian business on Marine drive.Itts reallly overwhelming A mix of ethnic restaurants is nice, but just one dominating the food scene is not interesting. corner store or coffeeshop western style burgger place
superslap13
About 2 months ago
More diversity on the beach for restaurants. We don’t need 10+ South Asian restaurants in that stretch. Maybe look into a rent cap so that it’s more likely mom & pop or family owned businesses can thrive down there year round.
JB
About 2 months ago
More Canadian west coast charm. Maybe an Indigenous cafe, a cool 50s diner, some fresh paint on the buildings, some security to keep traffic flowing - people tend to loiter along the boardwalk in groups like never before and don’t make it easy to pass through. This would be a nightmare if you start allowing dogs into the mix. Please don’t do that. Parking is a hindrance. Would love some interactive stations that teach about local wildlife and sea creatures so that children grow up with knowledge and to respect nature. And please allowing the bangra music full blast is really losing the local surfy vibe white rock once had. Can we turn it down? Would love to get the sandcastle competition back as well. And maybe fun things like caricatures along the boardwalk or kite festivals. It’s lost its seaside charm honestly. Everyone talks about it.
Sunny
About 2 months ago
I would love a quayside market. I don’t know who owns the boathouse but could the city somehow rent it to subdivide it to be used as a huge market for local venders / artists / bakery / florist & food court on top floor? Small scale market of course, or a bigger one further down? We also need to diversify the restaurant scene. I think there should be a bilaw limiting the number of the same foods to keep us diversified. Choices will get more people coming all year long. And activities to calibrate Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving etc to keep attracting tourism to the beach for those restaurants , Look at the Westminster quay, lonsdale quay and Fort Langley for inspo
Grammyc
About 2 months ago
Different ethnic restaurants. Not only Indians restaurants.
K.l
About 2 months ago
Coffee shop & bakery by day, wine and tapas by night, home decor, local artisan shops, beauty and wellness, breakfast and brunch cafe, bike, paddle and skimboard rental company, specialty grocerry
Keepitclassy
About 2 months ago
How about a gas station in the upper town area, the closure of the Petro Canada station on Johnston and Thrift was a real loss. It would also be nice to have an anchor business for the town center, Walmart, Canadian Tire or something of that nature
David Martin
About 2 months ago
-More variety in the restaurants. There are too many Indian, sushi, fish and chips, and ice cream shops along Marine Drive right now
-Parking passes should be available to both South Surrey and White Rock residents. City Council continually argues that the cost and hassle of parking is not an issue for people—IT IS. Our family and anyone else we've ever talked to about parking all says it's a giant hassle and too expensive. In the winter, the businesses along the waterfront suffer from this.
-Opening up the train station to allow passengers to travel to and from Vancouver and across the border would be beneficial as well, for both tourism and convenience/ease of travel
-small fruit and veggie stand on Marine Drive that offers fresh produce and healthier snack options
Businesses in White Rock is currently at this stage
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Businesses in White Rock
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
A variety in restaurants. I am a fan of Indian food however Marine Drive has been inundated with South Asian restaurants, it’s quite ridiculous. A pub like the Ocean Park Pub, a brewery style restaurant would be good, sports bar. Also, pottery/art type places that offer group classes/social. The feel could be changed to make it more like Fort Langley or similar. White Rock has lost its uniqueness and feels like a lost little seaside town that doesn’t know really what it is😞
I think the strip needs a major upgrade. Too many Indian restaurants!!!!! How about a wine bar, nice Italian restaurant, Spanish Tapas bar, etc.
An indoor farmers market all year round (that includes mini versions of all the great restaurants), free parking Oct to April
Pool hall...place to dance..something like pike market in Seattle ...
-Playground/water park like by stanley park
-more variety of shops and restaurants
-fresh fruit/veg market
-maybe a fishermans market on the pier
-place to rent paddleboards, kayaks etc
Less Indian restaurants
Free parking for eating at restaurants
Not sure if we need more restaurants; maybe more things to do that doesn't focus on eating/drinking. artisan market, art studios, sauna, wine bar. definitely cheaper parking
The parking fees are insane on Marine Drive ….sorry but it’s a huge deterrent for us now , we choose Fort Langley now
-Local Art Co operative. ( I could have it filled in a month)
-original clothing shops. No chains
- Market with flowers. Bakery and fruits and veges. Like the one in Coombs.
- trendy coffee social house
Removed by moderator.
Start by revisiting the idea of buying the BNSF right of way and removing the trains from the waterfront. There should be a better way to get train traffic to and fro without having to go around Semiahmoo peninsula. Then make the promenade more than just a narrow walkway. Perhaps add some park like spaces and maybe even a couple of live entertainment areas.
More vendor stalls of local Canadian arts and drafts along the lined trees.
Fall rainy seasons and grey winter days should be filled with more heated vendor stalls so that all things can be all year round inviting.
Invite business that does car window serving.
Business should be the one making profits and pay the taxes to city. The city or the parking companies “should not” profit from expensive parking hours. A three hours there now costs $15 on the city meter is a counter community service.
No more East Indian business on Marine drive.Itts reallly overwhelming A mix of ethnic restaurants is nice, but just one dominating the food scene is not interesting.
corner store or coffeeshop western style burgger place
More diversity on the beach for restaurants. We don’t need 10+ South Asian restaurants in that stretch. Maybe look into a rent cap so that it’s more likely mom & pop or family owned businesses can thrive down there year round.
More Canadian west coast charm. Maybe an Indigenous cafe, a cool 50s diner, some fresh paint on the buildings, some security to keep traffic flowing - people tend to loiter along the boardwalk in groups like never before and don’t make it easy to pass through. This would be a nightmare if you start allowing dogs into the mix. Please don’t do that. Parking is a hindrance. Would love some interactive stations that teach about local wildlife and sea creatures so that children grow up with knowledge and to respect nature. And please allowing the bangra music full blast is really losing the local surfy vibe white rock once had. Can we turn it down? Would love to get the sandcastle competition back as well. And maybe fun things like caricatures along the boardwalk or kite festivals. It’s lost its seaside charm honestly. Everyone talks about it.
I would love a quayside market. I don’t know who owns the boathouse but could the city somehow rent it to subdivide it to be used as a huge market for local venders / artists / bakery / florist & food court on top floor? Small scale market of course, or a bigger one further down? We also need to diversify the restaurant scene. I think there should be a bilaw limiting the number of the same foods to keep us diversified. Choices will get more people coming all year long. And activities to calibrate Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving etc to keep attracting tourism to the beach for those restaurants , Look at the Westminster quay, lonsdale quay and Fort Langley for inspo
Different ethnic restaurants. Not only Indians restaurants.
Coffee shop & bakery by day, wine and tapas by night, home decor, local artisan shops, beauty and wellness, breakfast and brunch cafe, bike, paddle and skimboard rental company, specialty grocerry
How about a gas station in the upper town area, the closure of the Petro Canada station on Johnston and Thrift was a real loss. It would also be nice to have an anchor business for the town center, Walmart, Canadian Tire or something of that nature
-More variety in the restaurants. There are too many Indian, sushi, fish and chips, and ice cream shops along Marine Drive right now
-Parking passes should be available to both South Surrey and White Rock residents. City Council continually argues that the cost and hassle of parking is not an issue for people—IT IS. Our family and anyone else we've ever talked to about parking all says it's a giant hassle and too expensive. In the winter, the businesses along the waterfront suffer from this.
-Opening up the train station to allow passengers to travel to and from Vancouver and across the border would be beneficial as well, for both tourism and convenience/ease of travel
-small fruit and veggie stand on Marine Drive that offers fresh produce and healthier snack options