A year after it opened, Festal Café has suddenly closed at 38334 Buckley Ave.
The eatery was known for its vegan, paleo and keto options.
opened in the Jumar building in late January 2024.
Owner Jason Gnanaprakasam told The Squamish Chief shortly after it opened that customers were responding well to the offerings prepared by executive chef James Wong.
“They’re really happy,” he said at the time of his first customers. “And I’m actually happy because it’s a bit reassuring.”
In December of 2024, the eatery posted on social media that it would close for the holidays, from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2; then, on Jan. 7, a follow-up post said they would be closed until the end of the month.
"We’ve decided to extend our holiday break and will remain closed until Jan. 29," the post said.
On Jan. 24, they announced the closure.
Soon after, the restaurant was cleared of its inside branding and furniture. The signs on the front doors repeated what was posted, saying closing was a "difficult decision" they made with a "heavy heart."
No reason for the closure was given.
Previously, the first location, called at 433 Granville St. in Vancouver, closed in April of 2023.
"With a heavy heart, we are permanently closing Festal Paleo Café at our Granville location," the restaurant owners wrote on at the time.
"We hope to reopen at a new location if we find a space that is feasible within the next few months," the owners added.
That next location was Squamish.
The Squamish Chief reached out to Festal through its available email and phone number, which is now out of service, but did not hear back by press deadline.
~With from Andrew Hughes/The Squamish Chief and Brendan Kergin/Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».