While numerous spots have been opening up in the West End, there's been a wave of new closures in the area.

A few blocks away from English Bay, Hub Restaurant Denman (1037 Denman Street) has shut down and will be reopen in North Vancouver.

The local chainlet is still operating two other locations, one in Yaletown (1165 Mainland Street) and New Westminster (344–800 Carnarvon Street).

Their menu covers small plates, ranging from fire-roasted flatbread to chicken karaage; salads; sandwiches, wraps, and burgers; entrées, such as Cajun fettuccini or pan-seared wild salmon; and brunch items, like banana bread French toast or huevos rancheros.

Update (May 16): Hub restaurant's operations director was unable to respond by the time this article was posted but was later able to provide the Georgia Straight with further details about the new location. See this blog post for more information. 

Hub's closure follows Dover Arms Pub closing its doors permanently on April 23 after operating for about 40 years in business at 961 Denman Street.

Further down the street, the short-lived The Noodle Factory has closed at 1120 Denman Street.

This Chinese restaurant opened in October last year and was primarily open during lunch hours during weekdays, which made it unavailable to West Enders outside of regular weekday working hours.

Its menu consisted of Chinese noodle soup, noodles, or rice with meat or vegetarian options.

Meanwhile over in the Davie Village, Upper Deck Kitchen and Taphouse at 1239 Davie Street (the former location of Speakeasy on Davie) was shut down on March 27 for a failure to pay $213,122.49 to the landlord.

The restaurant served Neapolitan-style pizza, burgers and sandwiches, pastas, and weekend brunch.

Across the street from that spot, Maple Leaf Bakery at 1216 Davie Street will be closing its doors for good in about one or two months. Owner Lisa Tam told the Georgia Straight that her family has run the business for about 28 years.

With its selection of bread and baked goods such as croissants, cookies, doughnuts, cakes, and loaves, the low-key bakery has been a longtime Davie Village fixture, sitting near the rainbow crosswalks.

While Tam said that the high rent was one reason for closing the business, she added that she felt that the family has been in the business "long enough".

Another nearby family-operated business, West Valley Market grocery store run by the Lo family, closed in April after 42 years in business at 1209 Bute Street, just off Davie Street.

Other West End closures over the past few months have included Lolita's South of the Border Cantina, Milestones English Bay, Relish Gourmet Burgers, and Vera's Burgers on Denman (which was briefly replaced by the short-lived '50s Burgers, which in turn will be replaced by the forthcoming Donair Spot).

On the other hand, recent openings have included Mexican churros café La Churreria, L'Éclair de Génie, Forkhill Irish Bistro, organic meat grill Pasture to Plate, and Burgoo Bistro (on the edge of the West End).

Some places that have opened up over the past few months that have proved to be instant hits with West Enders have been the chocolate bistro Cacao 70, Lousiana-style seafood spot Holy Crab, and Australian pie shop Peaked Pies.