The food market can be a tough one to crack for many eateries and food-related businesses that are starting up and many don't even last a year. In this roundup, we've got some places that have recently closed down, but there's also a grocery store that has changed ownership and an ice cream shop searching for a new location.

Hubbub goes quiet

While several restaurants are opening or are about to open up near Cambie and Broadway, such as Hokkaido Ramen Santouka and Honolulu Coffee, Hubbub has gone quiet at 2325 Cambie Street.

Based on the build-your-own-meal model, their menu offers a variety of baguette sandwiches and salad bowls. 

The good news is that Hubbub still operates two other locations, both in the downtown Vancouver core: one at 420 Robson Street and the other at 859 Hornby Street.

The 50's run out of time

Similarly, amid all the new openings of new Denman Street eateries such as Peaked Pies, Cacao 70, and Pasture to Plate, a short-lived burger joint has already had its time.

Burnaby-based 50's Burgers took over Vera's Burgers at 1181 Denman Street in December but has halted operations for the time being.

The closure follows the failure of the nearby New Brunswick–based Relish Gourmet Burgers at 1708 Davie Street, which closed on December 30, after just over a year in operations.

Close by, the long-running original Milestones at English Bay also shut down in December at 1210 Denman Street.

Natural market changes hands

Nearby, after Victoria-based Pomme Natural Market operated at 1722 Davie Street for two years, it has changed hands, becoming Earth Market in January. It specializes in organic groceries and produce, vitamins, household products, in-house made food, and more.

Pomme still operates locations in Port Coquitlam (9–2755 Lougheed Highway, Port Coquitlam) and Nanaimo (6560 Metral Drive).

Pomme opened on Davie Street in January 2015, itself replacing a natural food store that lasted only a mere two weeks before its owner went bankrupt and shut down.

Hold the ice cream

Soft-serve ice cream parlour UYU IceCream temporarily closed its location at 433 Abbott Street in Gastown on January 30.

They're currently searching for a larger space.

Using organic milk (their name means milk in Korean), they served flavours ranging from favourites like strawberry, mint chocolate, Earl Grey, or pumpkin spice to Asian flavours such as Thai iced tea, red bean, matcha, kinako (roasted soy bean), or black sesame, along with toppings and drizzle sauce.