It seems like the Taiwanese dessert chain Blackball just can’t catch a break.
Last week, we reported that both of Blackball’s remaining Richmond outposts had quietly shut down, signaling their exit from the city.
Now, we’ve spotted the closure of Castella Cheesecake on Robson Street, which happened to share the same space and kitchen as Blackball.
The business is also listed as permanently closed on Google.
The closure isn’t exactly a surprise, as the unit had been listed for sale for several months.
However, it appears someone finally pulled the trigger, and Castella Cheesecake’s presence on Robson has come to an end.
Established in 2018, Castella Cheesecake brought the taste of light, Japanese-style pastries to Canada, opening their first branch on Robson before expanding to Richmond and Burnaby.
The bakery quickly gained popularity for its Japanese Style Souffle Cheesecake, Basque “Burnt” Cheesecake and Molten Cheese Tarts, all beloved for their rich yet airy textures.
The brand even expanded beyond BC, with locations in Calgary and Edmonton.
Based on recent Google Reviews, it seems that the Robson Street store likely closed in early September.
A commercial listing for the unit indicated that rent for the space was a steep $9,218.45/month, possibly contributing to the decision to close.
As for what’s next for the space, no new tenants have been confirmed just yet.
Two doors down, Machi Machi also shut its doors and has been recently replaced by Eggette House.
But if you need your cheese tart and cheesecake fix, you can still find Castella in Richmond Centre, McArthurGlen Outlet, and Metrotown.
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Address: 1194 Robson St., Vancouver BC