Following Floata’s unexpected closure at the end of October, questions have been swirling in the community about the future of the 1000-seat dining room and vital gathering space.

Chinatown Today has been informed that several parties have begun looking at the space as potential successors to Floata, including some existing Chinese restaurants in the Lower Mainland. However, no new anchor tenant for Chinatown Plaza mall has been identified at this point.

Late last week, local artists Bagua Artist Association discovered that much of the restaurant’s equipment and property had been cleared out and discarded in the dumpster of the mall, with contractors stating that the restaurant space had been opened for members of the public to retrieve mementos of the shuttered restaurant some time in the week prior. Chinatown Today has not been able to verify that the restaurant space had been opened to the public and has not been able to find any announcement informing the community of this “opening”.

Items discarded from Floata after its closure. Photo Source: Bagua Artist Association.

Photos shared by Bagua Artist Association reveal a dumpster filled with usable equipment including tables, dishes, dishwashing racks, plastic totes, tablecloths and more. Also thrown out were dozens of pounds of tea, and the iconic red and white plates used to serve cold appetizers at banquets.

Items retrieved by Bagua Artist Association from Floata after closure. Photo Credit: Bagua Artist Association.

Bagua Artist Association were able to retrieve some small goods from the dumpster, but many of the physical artifacts holding the community’s memories of Floata were discarded earlier in the week or otherwise unrecoverable. After Floata’s 30 years of loyal service to the Chinatown community, one wonders whether the city could have afforded the restaurant a more dignified sendoff.

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