The whisperings along Fraser Street turned out to be more than rumours: Bows x Arrows, the critically-acclaimed cafe-restaurant hybrid is closing down.
The business has sold, and the restaurant’s last day will be Sunday, Aug. 19.
Bows x Arrows came on the Vancouver dining scene in 2016, after establishing themselves as a Victoria-based coffee roaster. The ambition was lofty — a European-inspired day-to-night neighbourhood spot that had a sophisticated coffee and pastries program, onsite preserving, modern dinner eats, weekend brunch service and cocktails.
They did great work at the bars (coffee and otherwise), and their kitchen put out terrific food; however, after just over two years, they’ve opted to close up.
We checked in earlier this month to confirm the news with Bows x Arrows’ Drew Johnson, who wanted to wait a little while to get the word out. Johnson’s public announcement Thursday acknowledges just how hard it is to say farewell to a cherished project. Here’s his note in full:
“Dear friends. It’s going to be hard to leave you.
We’d like to finally announce what some have known for some time — we have a buyer for the restaurant and this will be our last week. Had things played out cleanly we would have made this public sooner, but with staff and families in the balance, we’ve waited for more certainty rather than feed the sharks. We trust you understand.
Fraser has traded up, somewhat, in that the new operator lives in the neighborhood and runs restaurants we very much respect and admire. You don’t often get to choose your buyer, but, importantly, this room is going to a good home. We will let them make their own announcements so please don’t ask here:) It will not be Bows.
The choice to sell BXA Fraser has been very hard, as we have had excellent humans who have been here with us everyday and have worked for one another and towards what we wanted to be for the neighborhood. That many have been able to move into new, better, opportunities is very satisfying. But, I won’t lie, this is hard and it hurts, too. Love to everyone past and present. You’ve taught me so much.
This Sunday brunch will be our last service – then it’s a party. Please come through. …
@bowsxarrowscoffee is still a thing. We roast and source coffees. We champion people over bullshit. We have facilitated many important things this year that have made the decision to sell somewhat easier in that we know what we do very well already – and if we commit to this then we are better for it. .
I’m gonna stay closer to home with my family and raise my son. Victoria might get a new joint, soon enough. Come visit.
– love, drew.”
So you’ve got just a few more days to check out Bows x Arrows in Vancouver as we know it, and we’ll share as soon as we can what the next venture is in their Fraser Street space.
Bows x Arrows is located at 4194 Fraser St. in Vancouver.
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