A popular Cantonese restaurant in Vancouver’s Chinatown, recognized for its role as a community gathering place and hosting banquets, has shut down following the city’s issuance of a lease termination notice. Floata Seafood Restaurant, situated in a city-owned mall at 180 Keefer St., boasts a spacious layout with capacity for up to 1,000 patrons, as detailed on its website.
The notice, dated Oct. 24, mandated the business to vacate the premises promptly, citing the expiration of Floata’s lease on Sept. 30. Despite an extension granted by the city to facilitate ongoing operations, the tenant failed to present a viable plan for future activities, leading to the ultimate vacation of the premises. The city revealed that the restaurant had accumulated substantial rent arrears, including outstanding rental support from the COVID era, prompting the formal termination of the lease.
Floata’s manager, Brian Yu, disclosed that discussions with the city in August did not indicate the impossibility of lease renewal until shortly before its expiration. Yu expressed disappointment at the lack of negotiation time despite offering future plans. He emphasized the restaurant’s consistent monthly rent payments and the surprise revelation of any outstanding charges upon lease termination.
Yu shared that numerous customers have expressed gratitude towards the restaurant staff, with emotional farewells underscoring the closure’s impact on both patrons and employees. As the establishment prepares for its closure, there are currently no defined plans for the future.
The closure of Floata, a Chinatown fixture for over 30 years, has elicited surprise and sadness within the community. The restaurant’s significance as a vital space for communal gatherings and celebrations has left many questioning the reasons behind its shutdown, given its deep-rooted connections to the local Chinese Canadian community and beyond.
Vancouver City Councilor Pete Fry reflected on the restaurant’s role as a pivotal venue for numerous banquets and events, highlighting its importance in Chinatown’s cultural landscape. As efforts are underway to identify a new tenant for the space, the city aims to revitalize the mall’s operations and enhance the overall visitor experience. Discussions with potential operators are ongoing as the city seeks to fill the void left by Floata’s closure.