It’s the end of a delicious era.
Well, sort of.
Ba Le Deli & Bakery, one of Vancouver’s most iconic Vietnamese banh mi spots, has announced it will be closing its original flagship location on Kingsway after 37 years of serving the community.
The reason? Upcoming redevelopment at the site.
In a heartfelt message shared by the Ba Le team, the closure was framed as both a bittersweet farewell and a celebration of everything this little shop has meant to the community over nearly four decades.
“This location has been steeped with history,” the Ba Le team wrote.
“Our family cherishes all the memories we made in this neighbourhood and would like to thank everyone who has come by and supported us throughout the years.”
For many Vancouverites, this Ba Le location wasn’t just a spot for a banh mi fix.
It was a weekly tradition, a lunchtime escape, or a core memory of growing up in the city.
The final day of service will be June 22nd, and they’re planning to go out with one last hoorah.
Together with nearby neighbour Sal Y Limon, Ba Le will be hosting a farewell block party in the Kingsway plaza.
Starting at 11AM to 3PM, expect food, Hanoi Drip coffee, a photobooth, face painting, and all the nostalgic energy you’d want for a proper send-off.
The good news is that Ba Le has multiple locations throughout the city.
Even in the past year, Ba Le has been expanding its reach by opening two new locations in Richmond and on Rupert Street.
They’ve also been pushing new collaborations like the Hanoi Drip Coffee program and continue to evolve their operations while staying true to their family recipes.
Still, there’s no denying that the original Kingsway spot closing is a huge moment for Vancouver’s food scene.
Make sure to stop by before June 22nd for one last bite or join the block party to toast to a Vancouver staple that helped shape the city’s banh mi game.
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Address: 701 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 2R7