Less than a year after opening a third location, Simit Bakery is back down to one Vancouver shop.
The Vancouver bakery and cafe specializing in Turkish foods was originally founded in 2018 as Smith's Bakery at 191 W Broadway; it then opened locations in Kitsilano (2019) and the West End (2023).
However, the original West Broadway bakeshop is now closed, and ownership blames ongoing nearby construction; the Broadway subway project runs directly in front of the cafe. It was recently announced the end date for the project would be delayed yet another year to 2027.
"We are closed permanently," reads a sign in Simit's window. "Sorry we couldn't make it due to the construction."
As a consolation, the sign reminds people of their location in Kitsilano at 2268 W 4th Ave. Next to the sign is an "I [heart] Broadway" sticker from the city's campaign to urge locals to visit Broadway businesses during the subway's construction.
Meanwhile, the most recent location, at the Robson Public Market (1610 Robson St.) was recently closed as well, just a few months after opening in October of 2023.
Simit's ownership is also behind Kalamish, a new restaurant on the edge of False Creek.
Correction: A previous version of this story stated the West End location on Robson was still open. It also recently closed.
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