December 1st will mark an important date for all of the kitchens in Vancouver: Williams-Sonoma is opening up a new location in the city. More than that, the 7,000 square-foot retail space will be one of Williams-Sonoma’s Grande Cuisine stores, a format that adds a cook top for kitchen demonstrations, an espresso bar (obviously), cooking and technique classes as well as the expected collection of premiere cooking apparel. This means that now you’ll not only be able to buy all those expensive cooking items that you desperately need, but you’ll actually be able to find out how to use them as well.

The company’s executive vice-president Patrick Connolly is reportedly quite pleased about the new location in the city stating, “There’s a strong food community there and we’re very excited about bringing the unique Williams-Sonoma experience to Vancouver.” The new store will be only the sixth such location in Canada, with four stores in Toronto and one in Calgary. The 92 year-old company founder Chuck Williams should be at the opening, which is thrilling news for the large number of Vancouverites who love to see senior citizens cutting ribbons with novelty scissors.

Williams founded the company 50 years ago and at the time he only sold French cookware, today locations have expanded considerably, selling hundreds of specialty cooking items to the delight of foodies everywhere. The store opens on December first at 2903 Granville Street, just in time for Christmas and will be thoroughly stocked with everything that you’ll need for the holiday season (from transparent popcorn poppers to monogrammed steak branding irons). While those irritating in-laws will inevitably complain about almost everything that happens during their visit, at least they’ll be impressed by your shiny new pots and dishes. –P.B.