Richmond Night Market
The merchandise sold at the night market is primarily imported from Asia and considered by some to be of a lower price point than traditional retail stores.
It was then relocated to a waterfront property on Vulcan Way behind The Home Depot, where it caused major lineups and thereafter gained a huge success.
After the success incident, the landlord of Vulcan Way sought a massive increase to the annual lease, which Cheung declined and resulted in the market being almost cancelled.
The Richmond Night Market has been appreciated by locals and tourists for getting people together, offering ethnic food, and providing entertainment.
In that short period time, many people came to the weekend market, that tenants at Continental Centre complained to the landlord about the impact it was having on their businesses as well as on parking availability and traffic in the surrounding roadways.
In 2002, the Richmond Night Market returned for a second year at Lansdowne Park Shopping Centre, where its reputation continued to grow.
[7] In May 2012, the Richmond Night Market made a comeback from May 18 to October 8, with a new location next to SkyTrain Canada Lines' Bridgeport Station and River Rock Casino, where there is free parking and a small admission fee.
[8] After a hearing at Richmond City Hall on 20 May 2008, the Summer Night Market was granted a permit for two-years operation at the Vulcan Way location.
In early May 2008, the site was subject to suspicious vandalism which caused Lions Communication Inc. to power the night market with emergency generators while electrical repairs estimated at $100,000 were made.
[8] This company has also stated that they will reduce parking costs compared to previous years and improve access to the night market site.
It was expected the night market would draw around 10,000 visitors per week and two million over the course of the year, said Darren Harding, executive general manager of the casino.
However, before the night market can be permitted to open, approval from New Westminster City Council was needed, which is also requesting a traffic impact study be completed.
[13] A joint press release from Raymond Cheung of Target Events Production Ltd. and Starlight Casino followed announcing the cancellation to select media by email on April 19.
Starlight Casino general manager Tim Barnett explained that it was due to the scaling down of vendors from 300 to 225, increasing operating costs from policing, providing traffic management plans, and ensuring additional parking for vendors, had made operating the night market adjacent to the casino "no longer sustainable".
Paul Cheung, while okay with the name change, does not believe the floor plan (which details where vendor booths and the stage are to be set up), can be considered "intellectual property" and subject to copyright.
[20] Despite the name change, Raymond Cheung also threatened to sue media outlets that used the words "Richmond Summer Night Market" in news stories or advertisements.
