Posted: Jul 15, 2021 1:43 PM PT | Last Updated: July 15
Punjabi Market celebrated its 51st anniversary in 2021. (Kiran Singh)
If you had visited the three-block strip of Vancouver s Main Street between East 48th and East 51st avenues a couple of decades ago, your senses would have been overwhelmed with the aroma of sandalwood, the bright colours of Punjabi suits hanging from storefronts, the sounds of Indian and Pakistani music blasting on radios, and sidewalks full of people.
But once the South Asian community started moving south of the Fraser River, many businesses followed, diluting the vibrancy of Vancouver s Punjabi Market.
Today only a handful South Asian stores remain but efforts to rejuvenate this once bustling business hub are underway.