A popular Richmond restaurant says it was the unfortunate victim of arson.
The Story Cafe Sexsmith Road shared the news on Instagram on Monday, March 3, writing that its patio was “lit up on purpose” on the night of Sunday, March 2.
“The whole area has been destroyed,” the post read. “We are devastated and heartbroken.”
The photos posted alongside the announcement show the full extent of the damage.
Charred and melted patio furniture sits underneath what remains of a damaged glass roof structure.
Sections of the exterior have been boarded up where the fire tore through the covered patio area.
The restaurant said the patio was an extension of its indoor space and a part of the experience that many of its regulars enjoyed year-round.
Richmond firefighters responded to the scene and managed to put out the fire before it reached the interior of the building.
The Story Cafe confirmed it remains open for indoor dining and that all staff remain on the team.
However, rebuilding the patio is going to take time.
The restaurant said it needs to fully reconstruct the outdoor space and repurchase all of the patio equipment that was lost.
The incident has already been reported to authorities.
The Story Cafe has been a fixture in Richmond since it first opened in 2018.
The restaurant is known for its casual fine dining concept, blending Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a cozy warehouse aesthetic, a dog-friendly patio, and regular live music nights.
It sits a short walk from Bridgeport SkyTrain station and has built a loyal local following over the years.
The Instagram post drew an outpouring of support from the community within hours, with hundreds of likes and comments from locals and food bloggers.
“What is up with this city these days,” one commenter wrote. “So sorry this happened.”
Another wrote that Richmond “used to be so safe” and questioned what is being done about incidents like this.
For now, The Story Cafe is asking guests to continue supporting the restaurant while it works through the aftermath.
The dining room is still open and operating as usual. No timeline has been given for when the patio might be rebuilt.
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Address: 2800 Sexsmith Rd, Richmond, BC