After 25 years, a bustling café in the downtown core that has been an integral part of the local art scene is calling it quits.

The Gallery Café and Catering launched in 1994, offering three services: a bistro-style café at the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG), catering for offices, and inhouse catering for events such as weddings or corporate events.

With seating for 60 diners indoors plus a sprawling terrace patio that accommodated up to 165 patrons, the café was frequently packed, particularly during events such as Fuse. Set off from Robson Street on the second floor, it was often known as a hidden but popular spot.

The cafeteria-style eatery offered a menu that included salads, soups, sandwiches, quiche, desserts, and more.

The Gallery Café announced on its social media on February 1 that it would permanently shut down tomorrow (April 30).

VAG communications specialist Hanah Van Borek sent the Georgia Straight a statement from the Vancouver Art Gallery that explained that operator Murray Jamieson informed the VAG on June 1, 2018, that he would be ending his operating agreement with the VAG by May 31.

Accortding to the statement, he had been granted an extension to his license in 2017 and had been recently operating on a month-to-month agreement.

On May 1, the café will close for renovations, which will include refreshing the interior and patio areas.

A grand reopening, with new menu offerings, will take place this summer. There’s no word yet if a catering service will be available. More information will be provided when agreements are finalized.