# The Spa Cafe and Vancouver’s Wild Beginnings

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/canada-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7590263/the-spa-cafe-and-vancouver-s-wild-beginnings.md
Podcast: [Canada News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/canada-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7590263)
Published: 2026-06-13T14:14:48+00:00
Episode link: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/a8104dc8-63e9-4863-a3d8-10ab3f7e5e6e.mp3
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Duration seconds: 116

## Resource

In 1892, Vancouver was a fledgling city with just 16,000 souls, buzzing with ambition. Percy Venables opened “The Spa Cafe” on Cordova Street — a glamorous spot serving afternoon tea, ice cream, and frozen oysters — even offering delivery. It thrived briefly, hosting a festive Christmas dinner for 60. But by 1894, Venables shuttered the cafe to manage the dining room at the notorious Cosmopolitan Hotel, owned by Jackson T. Abray — Vancouver’s first police constable — whose establishment was infamous for vice, crime, and moral decay. Despite losing its liquor license in 1905, the hotel survived, and Abray’s license was reinstated. Both men lived long lives — Venables until 1959, Abray until 1944 — leaving behind a vivid snapshot of Vancouver’s wild, formative years. Support the show: Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/1dde3d445dc8a4f2

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