Iconic Vancouver cafe damaged in suspected arson, could be closed for months – BC | 24CA News
An iconic Vancouver cafe, which doubles as a well-liked location for filming motion pictures and TV reveals, is the newest sufferer of property crime within the Downtown Eastside.
The Ovaltine Cafe has been quickly shut down after somebody intentionally set fireplace behind the constructing.
Grace Chen, who has owned the cafe for about 10 years, mentioned one among her kitchen employees arrived at work, noticed the hearth, and referred to as her.
“It started at the back window,” Chen advised Global News, including that the hearth division advised her somebody had purposely set the hearth.
She mentioned the extent of the injury isn’t but identified as a result of the insurance coverage firm and constructing inspectors have to research first.
“Inside there’s water damage and smoke,” Chen mentioned. “So we cannot go inside. I had to throw out the food, everything, away.”
She mentioned they could even be closed for 2 or three months, in keeping with officers.
The Ovaltine Cafe, with its signature neon signal, has been a staple within the neighbourhood because it opened in 1942.
Movies comparable to I, Robot and TV reveals together with Lucifer, Charmed and the X-Files have all filmed scenes there.
Chen mentioned six individuals work on the cafe and he or she’s apprehensive about how it’s going to survive.
“It’s making me cry,” she mentioned. “When they say the store is OK, that’s when I’ll know the store, we can save. But I have to shut down for three months, and I’m worried.”
Vancouver police have confirmed it’s investigating the case however there isn’t any official phrase but on how the hearth began.
Chen’s daughter Rachel advised Global News will probably be capable of save all of the furnishings, together with the 80-year-old sales space within the entrance.
But something that was uncovered to smoke needed to be thrown out and isn’t suitable for eating.
“She cares so much,” Rachel mentioned. “Every time she’s in the shop, she’s either cleaning something, mopping up something. She wants to try and save as much as she can.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
