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After more than a dozen years located near the gates of Chinatown, Wild Rice will be closing its Vancouver location (117 West Pender Street) following service on January 31. Restaurant owner Andrew Wong has decided to consolidate operations to New Westminster and will continue to run Wild Rice’s River Market location (810 Quayside Drive).

“This has not been an easy decision,” Wong stated in a news release today (January 9). “It’s time to spend more time with my family. I want to concentrate my efforts on the New Westminster location as I see the area as an emerging market. New Westminster has been tremendously welcoming and supportive of Wild Rice.

“When we first opened, we were the only restaurant for blocks. We were also the first to bring the concept of ‘modern Chinese cuisine’ to Vancouver. I am very proud of that,” Wong continued. “We are also the first Chinese restaurant to embrace the local, seasonal and sustainable movement – working with local suppliers, using organic ingredients, and being inaugural members of OceanWise.”

Wong launched Wild Rice in Vancouver in 2001 and opened a second location in 2011. Wong co-owns the New Westminster restaurant with executive chef Todd Bright.