Here are two places that have closed down in downtown Vancouver. Also of note in the downtown core, Luxury Row's Italian Kitchen is planning to relocate. 

Burger bust

Over the past few years, a number of burger joints entered the downtown market, including Five Guys, Harvey's, Fatburger, and Caliburger, with Johnny Rockets on the way.

While rent increases have been a factor in the closure of many businesses in Vancouver, the rapid increase in the number of hamburger-related restaurants may have outweighed demand as a number of spots have recently closed, including Relish Gourmet Burgers and Vera's Burgers on Denman which became the brief '50s Burgers.

One of the most recent casualties of the hamburger competition has been StackHouse Burger Bar, which opened in 2011 but closed down at 1224 Granville Street on March 27.

With hip décor and DJs, the casual spot served a range of burgers included tuna with avocado, Dungeness crab, Kobe beef, lamb, and even triple-stacked patties.

Beyond burgers, they also served seared tenderloin medallions, fried chicken, and chicken and waffles with pancetta, in addition to sides like salads, onion rings, poutine, and deep-fried pickles.

Passing another milestone

Not far away, Milestones Yaletown shut down at 1109 Hamilton Street (at Helmcken Street) in February.

However, there are still two downtown Vancouver locations for the company: 1145 Robson Street and 2425 Cambie Street. They also have locations in West Vancouver, Richmond, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, and Tsawwassen.

Milestones English Bay closed down at 1210 Denman Street late last year. It was the chain's first location, which had opened in 1989. They have since expanded to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland.

At the same time, a number of locally based chains with similar formats and menus have also rapidly grown and expanded such as Earls, Cactus Club, Joey, Browns Socialhouse, Moxie's Grill and Bar, and Hub, thereby increasing competition.

Most recently, Hub Restaurant Denman (at 1037 Denman Street) closed down and is relocating from the West End to a yet-to-be-announced location in North Vancouver (to open this autumn).