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It used to be one of Metro Vancouver’s top seaside destinations.

But now a walk along the seafront in White Rock reveals a business community in danger of becoming a “ghost town,” according to one of the area’s restaurateurs.

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“At least four or five restaurants have closed in the past three months. They didn’t survive the winter,” said Preet Grewal, managing partner at Charlie Don’t Surf, where a $12 plate of fish and chips has been the biggest seller since 1985.

“People say the closures will provide more customers for our business, but we’re getting a reputation for being a bit of a ghost town. I’m scared that the vacancies will hurt all of White Rock. We used to be a destination in the ’80s and ’90s but we fell off the radar a little bit,” he said.

In one central stretch of Marine Drive, near the city’s museum, three restaurants have closed for good, two storefronts are available for rent and four shops are not open for business.