A longtime Caribbean bistro owner in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is considering closing up shop after 15 years, fed up with what he calls a "war zone" of rampant illegal activity. The area’s unchecked problems—from open drug use to property crime—have made it nearly impossible to run a business safely, and he’s now questioning whether staying is worth the toll.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another "business closes" story—it’s a snapshot of how unchecked social issues can hollow out neighborhoods. If even the most determined small-business owners are throwing in the towel, it signals deeper systemic failures. For Vancouver, it raises tough questions about how to balance revitalization with the realities of an area in crisis.