It’s the end of an era for one of Metro Vancouver’s largest summer attractions.

After 26 years, the Richmond Night Market has announced that this season will be its last.

Poncho’s Birria was started by a group of friends in 2023, shortly after they had just graduated from high school.

“We really gained traction in the second year, probably one of our better years, just seeing the number of orders grow, how many people were lining up for us,” said co-owner Matthew Berda.

Their creative menu and social media presence quickly made them stand out.

“All the positive reviews we got, people coming back to tell us that they were the greatest tacos they’ve ever had, greatest grilled cheese,” said Kenito Garrido, another co-owner.

This is just one of thousands of small businesses that have found success at the Night Market, which, over the years, has grown from its humble beginnings to a major destination that attracts more than a million visitors every year.

“Through different iterations and different locations and now having landed where they are right now for several years, it has been a critical part to the tourism and economy here in Richmond,” said Tourism Richmond CEO Nancy Small.

Organizers say the decision was made as the market’s lease at this location comes to an end, and the future remains unclear.

“We understand business evolves, and things happen, and we’re very sad to see it evolve away from Richmond,” Small said.

“Without it, I don’t know, hopefully they move it. If not, we’ll just have this big hole here with not much going on.”

Poncho’s Birria will still have a presence at other street festivals, but co-owner Mikito May says the loss of the Night Market is going to be a blow to the city as a whole.

“This is a place where people like to go every year and hang out and check out the new food and vendors,” May said.

The last day to visit the Richmond Night Market will be on Sept. 20.