BC Bob

28/08/2024

Did you know that the Vancouver Park Board renamed its iconic baseball stadium after a local burger baron who started White Spot Restaurants?

Nat Bailey was a huge supporter of baseball in Vancouver, and when they renovated Capilano Stadium in 1978 they renamed it in honour of the guy, just five days after his death.

My friend Alex Saar and I just launched a custom LEGO kit as an homage to this place, where I personally go to watch baseball every week.

As a season ticket holder and supporter of the Vancouver Canadians I couldn't believe it when Alex told me he was designing this thing, and I asked if I might be able to make it available exclusively in BC Bob's Emporium.

He obliged and we're now doing presales, to ship in October. Have a look at what I feel is the perfect gift for anybody who enjoys the old ballgame: https://bcbob.ca/products/nat-bailey-stadium-custom-lego-kit-presale-ships-oct-30

01/08/2024

Remember Cave-On-Foods?

A grocery store in Burnaby was nicknamed that in 1988 after a thousand people were inside the brand new Save-On-Foods in Burnaby when the roof caved in.

Among those present was the then-mayor of Burnaby, Bill Copeland, who was one of 21 people who were injured when the rooftop parking collapsed into the store.

It happened during their grand opening celebration, and the mayor was there to give a speech.

He would end up being credited for saving lives and recognized as a hero.

When the tragedy struck, the reflexes from his past work as a firefighter kicked in, and he helped evacuate people before they took him to the hospital as a victim himself.

There was a parking lot on top of the store and 20 cars fell through the roof, and it was something of a miracle that nobody was killed.

Four engineers ended up being found guilty of “incompetence, negligence or professional misconduct” by the governing body that oversees engineers in B.C.

The Save-On location was then known by locals as Cave-On-Foods until 2013 when it was torn down to make way for the new Station Square development.

And now you know.

If you want to hear stories like this once or twice a week, please sign up for my newsletter where I share all-things-BC, past and present: https://lnkd.in/gHdQCeaz

23/07/2024

It's my face on a t-shirt, designed by my pal Geoff Coates.

Designed by Geoff Coates, this t-shirt is screen printed in Vancouver and is (obviously) only available from BC Bob

16/07/2024

I became an expert on public washrooms by accident! 💩

Since 2016 I’ve been traveling around British Columbia, gathering video content to share with people who live here.

If you’re new to my stories you probably never saw the TV show I hosted and co-produced with Artaban Productions - it’s where the “5X Leo-nominated TV host and producer” part of my bio came from.

BC Was Awesome was a spinoff of the publication I started, Vancouver Is Awesome, and it ran for three seasons on TELUS Optik starting in 2016. In that time we made 30 short episodes, telling offbeat stories from BC’s history.

We shared the about the dude who built a pyramid on an island on Okanagan Lake.

We partnered with the Sts'ailes First Nation to let people know where the word Sasquatch came from, and what the creature means to their people.

We told the story of a woman who shot BC’s first selfie, way back in the 1800s, and 27 more.

The work I do these days telling stories fulltime on Instagram and on TikTok is directly inspired by our old TV show. Only instead of traveling with multiple camera operators, a director, sound guy, and co-producer, it’s just me and my phone going places and telling stories.

Me, my phone, my small bladder and my somewhat irritable bowels. You see, I find myself in public washrooms quite often not only because I’m away from my Vancouver home gathering stories, but also because I lost the digestive system lottery.

A few months ago I decided to share the knowledge I’ve gained about all of the places I’ve stopped for a bathroom break (good and bad!), in every corner of BC - I made a where I ranked 10 washrooms from Vancouver Island to the Coquihalla Summit.

140,000 people watched it, and it seems to have struck a chord with other folks who enjoy BC road trips.

And since that video dropped, I’ve visited at least 100 more public p**p spots, and I’ve been taking notes! I’m about to drop another one in the next couple weeks in my new newsletter.

All of this is to say, there are stories everywhere in BC, and I’m committed to telling you all of them.

Subscribe to my newsletter and you won't miss a single one: https://mailchi.mp/3d291261179e/bc-bobs-newsletter

08/07/2024

Ballpark 3 of 4 on our California tour of MLB stadiums! Rickey Henderson Field, the current home of the Oakland Athletics.

As you may be aware, they’re moving the team to Las Vegas and this is their last year in this stadium. The wheels have somewhat fallen off and aren’t being replaced, as evidenced in the shot here showing empty premium seats just 4 rows back from the field - the people sitting in them had to move because, as you can see, these seats are broken.

While it’s sad it felt historic to be here, where fans are still holding out hope that the owners might sell the team and keep them in Oakland.

They allow vendors in the parking lot, hawking shirts that say SELL on them. Fans are basically allowed to bring in any beer and food that they please.

The bathrooms have charming, oldtimey trough urinals.

And they actually have THE best hotdog I’ve had on the trip so far! The only downside was that it was wrapped in two separate pieces of foil, the upside was the size, quality of the bun, and overall value at $12.49.

My best friend Jason and I have been talking about visiting here since they announced their move and it has so far been the highlight of the trip. It felt important to see it.

Oh! And hall of famers Dennis Eckersley and Rollie Fingers were signing autographs! ❤️⚾️

07/07/2024

I’m in the middle of a California ballpark tour with my best friend Jason, and so far the home team has won each game we’ve attended. We started in San Diego to watch the Padres beat the Diamondbacks, then up to LA seeing the Dodgers beat the Brewers. We’re driving up to Oakland now to watch the A’s, then a hop over to SF to see the Giants take on me the Blue Jays. I’m working on some reels, for now have a look a couple different hot dog options in n SF and LA.

02/07/2024

I'm launching a newsletter! Sign up to learn stuff you maybe didn't know about British Columbia and be kept up to date with what I'm up to: https://mailchi.mp/3d291261179e/bc-bobs-newsletter

28/06/2024

23/06/2024

I stood in awe next to a 1,500 year old cedar near Bella Coola this week.

It’s about 20 feet in diameter.

This absolute beast is located in a park, which is pretty much the only mechanism of 100% protection for this type of thing.

08/06/2024

Highway 3

01/06/2024

Me and the kid enjoying dinner at the home opener of the Nanaimo NightOwls Baseball Club last night, after I threw out the first pitch! Next time you're on the island you've got to take in one of their games at the absolutely charming Serauxmen Stadium.

Photo by the great The 610 Photographer.

16/05/2024

Me: How's it feel being almost 19 years old?

My dog: [exhales horrid stench]

14/05/2024

The social video campaign I recently wrapped with Tourism Ch'illiwack has garnered more than five million views across my "BC Bob" channels on Instagram and TikTok, which is five times beyond what I was aiming for, and I wanted to showcase it for you.

Working with their core crew in the weeks leading up to my visit, I landed with a go-to list of quirky and engaging stories we'd hoped I could tell, and the goal of finding more along the way during my stay there.

One of those videos has received more than 1.7 million views, three others more than 400,000 each, and the majority of the 14 we released are tracking in the hundreds of thousands.

The most stunning number for me is 55,324. That's the number of individual people who have decided to share these videos so far.

I say "so far" because they're mostly evergreen and will continue to deliver for the client over the coming weeks and months as the algorithm favours them. These videos are working in the background letting people across the province know that Chilliwack is a wonderful place to visit, and they're also getting residents excited and proud about the place they get to call home.

My schedule of work with B.C. destination marketers is filling up fast - I just returned from work with New West, I'm headed to the Shuswap at the end of this week, the Great Bear Rainforest in June, then to Vancouver Island after that.

But my calendar isn't completely full, and if you work at a DMO in B.C. I'd love to talk about the profile I could bring to your region with my B.C. audience.

Or if you know someone who works at a DMO in B.C., please forward this and my IG at instagram.com/bobkronbauer so they can have a look at the work I've been doing.

I started Vancouver Is Awesome more than 16 years ago, left it in good hands 4 months ago, and am infinitely excited about the new career I've forged as an independent content creator telling the unique stories of British Columbia to British Columbians.

Let's work together. ❤️

04/05/2024

It's been a few months since I released any one-of-a-kind baseball bats through my extremely small company Roosevelt (named after the elk who live in BC and are arguably the most beautiful and strong). Here are 3 I worked on this week and just listed! ♥️⚾️

Hand painted by BC Bob, these one-of-a-kind bats are each an homage to Vancouver's legendary Nat Bailey Stadium, colloquially known to fans at 'The Nat'. Made of Canadian maple, they're the same quality as bats used by major league players but are obviously much more suited to hang on the wall as ar...

15/04/2024

Me and my friend Ryan Beil want to watch a Vancouver Canadians baseball game with you, get you early access to the stadium before the gates open, a behind-the-scenes tour with C's broadcaster Tyler Zickel AND a t-shirt I designed as a salute to The Nat.

We've only got 18 seats available, and they'll go quick! ♥️⚾️

https://bcbob.ca/products/nat-bailey-stadium-tour-c-s-game-ticket-and-a-t-shirt

04/04/2024

When you’re a superfan and you’re around while the team is taking photos the Vancouver Canadians may or may not ask you to pose like this, holding the 2023 championship trophy. The second photo is from photo day last year! ❤️⚾️ 📷

04/04/2024

I've just released my first ever rate card for social media videos that I write, produce, host and distribute on my popular BC Bob channels!

If you're a marketer who's familiar with my work and are looking to partner on some fun content aimed squarely at British Columbians, give me a holler. I'll reveal the blacked out numbers here and we can discuss how we can get your brand or destination in front of a LOT of people.

If you're not a marketer but you've seen my work and want to recommend me, please pass this along. ❤️

01/04/2024

It was media day at Nat Bailey Stadium which means the Vancouver Canadians are just a few days away from their home opener at our historic ballpark. Once again you’ll see me at nearly every game (if I’m in town I’ll be there!) and I’mworking on some special baseball-adjacent events you might want to keep an eye out for! I’ll share info about tickets shortly. ❤️⚾️

23/03/2024

The guy on the right is one of my earliest mentors, who I met when I first started skateboarding way back in 1991. Clint Hardie is his name and not only did he pick me up and drive me to school almost every day in his sweet 80s Volvo station wagon but he taught me everything about skateboarding, and literally how to skate. I caught up with him on a recent trip back to my hometown of Vernon and was thrilled to introduce him to my son (pictured left, taller than l am now) and also catch up with another old pal, Tyler Reid (pictured sitting, maybe because he’s a foot taller than all of us).
Clint now owns and operates the best skate shop in Vernon, Okanagan Skateboard Co, and in this photo is wearing a green version of a black toque I ended up buying off of them. I wore it in a recent video and had multiple people ask if I’d be selling it in MY store, so I reached out to Clint and bought a few. Get one from me or if you’re in the Okanagan stop by and tell them I sent you. ❤️🙌🏻

20/03/2024

Since quitting my job to work as an independent content creator a couple months back I’ve rediscovered the thrill of entrepreneurship and of having many projects on the go. One of them is BC Bob’s Emporium where I design and source locally made products, the profits of which help me continue to tell the stories of British Columbia to British Columbians. The latest addition is a Crowsnest Pass cotton baseball jersey, and I plan to add more items weekly. Thanks to the people who have placed orders so far - I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support. ❤️

07/03/2024

This is brand new but also quite old

Designed by Andrew Kazakoff and embroidered at True North Screen Printing in Vancouver, the fine details on this sweatshirt include felt and embroidery.

23/02/2024

Mister PG is one of the most recognizable symbols in and of our province. Voted the Second Greatest Roadside Attraction in B.C. back in 2020, his appeal has endured since he was first introduced in the 1950s.

My personal memories of him go back to the 1980s when we'd take the Greyhound bus from the Okanagan, to visit relatives who lived in our "Northern Capital."

Standing there looming over the road near the official visitor's centre, to me he was a symbol that we'd made it to the end of our long journey, and that soon we'd be sitting at Grandma Rose's table playing UNO and hearing stories about her recent adventures.

When I started thinking about launching my online store, one of the first ideas that came to mind was honouring Mister PG. And so it is that the week I launched, I introduced four items with his face on them.

That face was taken off of the 1960s vintage felt pennant you see here. It's one in a collection of many, and I have no idea who the original artist was, but I imagine they'd be okay with me borrowing their work to promote this beloved city in the centre of our province.

Have a look at the Mister PG collection at BCBob.ca.

23/02/2024

If you’re from Prince George or you’ve ever been to Prince George this stuff I just got printed and embroidered in Vancouver might interest you https://bcbob.ca/search?q=mister+pg

21/02/2024

Ten years ago this month Daniel Mangan played a set at the Vancouver Art Gallery with a single amp, to a small number of people at a local fundraiser for something or other. He was already at a point in his career where he was touring the world and playing large rooms but he took the time out to play this tiny show - and most likely volunteer his time - and I still think about it every time I go to the gallery. Sometimes when I'm just walking by the gallery it'll pop into my head and I'll think warm thought of Dan.

There's certainly a lesson in here somewhere. About not forgetting where you came from, about giving back, about creating and serving core group of superfans in whatever business you're in... but I really just like this photo I shot and wanted to find an excuse to share it a decade later. 😆

20/02/2024

My Justin McElroy fan t-shirt is now available for preorder in white. These will only be available until Thursday of this week, then I'll print a very limited edition of them with $5 from every order going to Justin's search for hidden gems abroad: https://bcbob.ca/products/justin-mcelroy-fan-t-shirt-presale

18/02/2024

I've just launched my new online store with a single product! A fan t-shirt for B.C. reporter Justin McElroy, who is about to go on a year-long sabbatical. https://bcbob.ca/products/justin-mcelroy-fan-t-shirt-presale