Although University Heights Mall is no longer what it was more than five years ago, if not a decade, the new façade of tall, looming structures stacked over lived-in space feels sterile and uninviting. What replaced it lacks the charm I grew up with: the roundabout staircases, the awkward corners, the small-town feel that made the mall feel human. No, I’m not asking to live forever in some nostalgic loop, but when news broke that the property had been sold to an American firm, my heart sank for good reason.
There used to be smaller brunch spots and a sense of community here, back when Gauntlet Games occupied the space. These were places run by people you recognized, places that felt rooted. Now, as glass-and-concrete buildings near completion and independent eateries quietly vanish, the corporate blueprint becomes impossible to ignore. What made this area distinct is being flattened into something efficient, repeatable, and ultimately disposable. When local businesses are replaced almost entirely by franchise food operations, the direction isn’t subtle. The decision has already been made.
With the arrival of Kinton Ramen, Chipotle, and Ono Poké & Grill in the new centre, brand loyalty replaces discovery. Fans of these names know exactly what they’re getting before they arrive, which is precisely the point. These operations anchor the ground floor, apartment towers stacked neatly above them, creating a self-contained ecosystem where residents are encouraged to spend without ever leaving the building. The smell of hot food drifting upward isn’t accidental; it’s part of the design.
It’s December 31st, and after eating all that turkey, we at twohungryblokes have certainly stretched our waistlines. For better or worse, there are still leftovers. Well, maybe. That depends on whether the cook in the family wants to turn what’s remaining into ground meat for tacos, or something else. But on the day to have a pre-New Year’s Feast, there’ are plenty of other options which seem traditional for today.
Here’s the thing. For those without the allergy, we love lobster. It’s fancy, it’s buttery, and it makes you look like a high-roller. I love them, but since they are not legally available to fish, the only way around is to be stranded on a desert island or go live in New Zealand. Restrictions aside, there are individuals who can go getting them, but they are indigenous people or from cultures that have no fears. In other countries, especially Austria, and the Southern United States, folklore experts (and very superstitious grandmothers) say eating lobster at midnight is a one-way ticket to a rubbish year.
With H-Mart still the talk of the town in Victoria and a place I regularly visit, the first thing that always catches my eye is the sheer variety of flavoured fish skins now lining the shelves. Although they’ve been around for ages, seeing them in local markets still feels novel. Before, you’d have to trek to your friendly neighbourhood international district or a mom-and-pop shop that specialised in snacks from “back home” rather than ones made in America. Even Fairways dabbled in selling them once, but they never quite took off—probably because they’re an acquired taste. And considering they don’t come cheap (which is ironic, really, for what was once a throwaway part of the fish), not everyone’s going to take kindly to snacking on this particular piece of flesh.
Halloween 2025 in Victoria, BC is shaping up to be terrifyingly good. The shows that are being performed this year promise chills, thrills and perhaps more! This year’s lineup spans immersive cabaret, dance tributes to classic monsters, sketch comedy, and even site-specific shows. From werewolves to phantoms, and from haunting elegance to campy chaos, there’s something for every spooky season fan.
DOPPELGÄNGER
BEETLEJUICE JR!
DANCE WITH THE DEVIL
HIGH MOON
Haunted Histories: An Improvised Ghost Tour
Rocky Horror Picture Show (All-Drag Cast)
Sketch Night Live
Universal Horrors
1280 Broad St
Victoria, BC
Phone: (250) 382-3147
Menu: 
twohungryblokes.com 