When I was younger, I loved watching TV. The TV Guide would be my daily reader. The shows would transport me into another world! Currently I'm not watching any TV shows. I just don't have the time. I think the last TV series I loved was "Burn Notice".
But I always wanted to watch "Once Upon A Time". The show takes place in Storybrooke, Maine whose residents are characters from various fairy tales transported to this 'real world' town and robbed of their real memories by a powerful curse. Episodes typically feature a primary storyline in Storybrooke, as well
as a secondary storyline from another point in a character's life before
the curse was enacted. (Wikipedia)
I loved the idea of fairy tale characters all interacting with each other in the modern world and in fairy tale land. But I never got the opportunity to watch the episodes until just recently.
The streets where Storybrooke comes to life!
The real Storybrooke set is located in a little town called Steveston near Vancouver, BC. And since we were going to Vancouver for vacation in June this was a must see spot to visit!
But I had to watch the show first! So before we left I binge-watched the first season: 22 episodes. It was addicting!But oh so good!
Below are the places that I visited and it's "counterpart" on the show. Note that names of stores have been changed to reflect the Storybrooke, Maine town.
We are standing in front of the Nikta Fishing & Marine building....
...Which is the library and clock tower on the show.
The clock tower is digitally added in post production.
This is the Main street where many of the scenes on the show is filmed.
Next to the bakery, Serenity Boutique is "Modern Fashions"
You may notice that that Romania Country Bread changed their signage permanently to "Storybroooke Bakery & Bread"
The yellow VW bug's owner is Emma, Snow White & Prince Charming's daughter.
"Once Upon A Time's" art department come into town and change over the signage to prep the town to shoot their episodes. It takes 10 hours to change, paint and redesign the street.
Nikaido is "Standard Clocks"
The Cannery Cafe is one of the main meeting places in the show but it's called "Granny's Diner"...
... which is run and owned by Red Riding Hood and her Granny.
Emma and her son, Henry exiting the diner.
On the corner, Pieces Gift Shop is "Purbeck Shoe Store"
Mr. Gold aka "Rumpelstiltskin" walking across the street.
The office of Dr. Archibald Hopper is next to the Bakery.
This signage is left on the door for crazy fans like me to admire and point out!
Dr. Hopper is Jiminy Cricket
The Steveston Marine & Hardware turns into...
..." Storybrooke Hardware & Paint"
David Nolan (aka Prince Charming)
It's Posh Boutique is "Mr. Gold's Pawnbroker"
Henry going to visit Mr. Gold
Ora Sushi is "Ora Sushi" in the show and Any Given Sundae is "The Storybrooke Pet Shelter"
Next to Any Given Sundae is Cannery Cafe or "Granny's Diner"
Mary Margaret Blanchard (aka "Snow White")
Emma talking to David/Prince Charming
The Marine Garage is the "Marine Garage".
Dr. Hopper/Jiminy Cricket walking his dog
Other store fronts:
Steveston Coffee Co and Moncton Dental are...
Storybrooke Coffee and ...
Storybrooke Dental. Creative Names huh? This is Emma and August Booth/Pinocchio
Interesting Find: "Storybrooke Coffee" has a Steveston Coffee Co logo on it's wall in the show!
Emma talking to Sheriff Graham (aka the Huntsman)
Vancouver has been a go-to place to film TV series. I didn't get a chance to see the Mayor's house, the pier where Henry's fort is at and many more.
