Buddha's — the Vancouver venue formerly known as the historic Smilin' Buddha Cabaret, the long-running '60s rock mecca where Jimi Hendrix once took the stage, which is the namesake of that 54•40 album — has been the target of suspected arson.
Located at 109 East Hastings Street, the building was reportedly set on fire from the outside on Sunday (August 20) night. Both the quick action on behalf of the Vancouver Fire Department and the venue's open design allowed the fire to be put out successfully. Still, the space incurred damages that are a "huge setback" and "will require the property to change ownership and be extensively restored/redeveloped," according to the description of a GoFundMe campaign launched by James Andrew.
Buddha's has been undergoing renovations for the past six months and was expected to re-open later this year, Andrew told Daily Hive. The fundraiser has set a goal of $20,000 to "help secure the building from further damage" and "take immediate action" in planning for the future of the space.
It's a space with a truly storied past, having been a local landmark for over a century. It operated as Lige Scurry's Social Club, the Broadway Cafe and Smilin Buddha Dine and Dance in 1952, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret from the '60s through the '80s, Sports Cafe in the '90s, and SBC Restaurant from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, it closed as a restaurant and re-opened as Buddha's, housing concerts, art shows, food outreach programs and private events.
Check out the crowdfunding campaign below.
Located at 109 East Hastings Street, the building was reportedly set on fire from the outside on Sunday (August 20) night. Both the quick action on behalf of the Vancouver Fire Department and the venue's open design allowed the fire to be put out successfully. Still, the space incurred damages that are a "huge setback" and "will require the property to change ownership and be extensively restored/redeveloped," according to the description of a GoFundMe campaign launched by James Andrew.
Buddha's has been undergoing renovations for the past six months and was expected to re-open later this year, Andrew told Daily Hive. The fundraiser has set a goal of $20,000 to "help secure the building from further damage" and "take immediate action" in planning for the future of the space.
It's a space with a truly storied past, having been a local landmark for over a century. It operated as Lige Scurry's Social Club, the Broadway Cafe and Smilin Buddha Dine and Dance in 1952, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret from the '60s through the '80s, Sports Cafe in the '90s, and SBC Restaurant from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, it closed as a restaurant and re-opened as Buddha's, housing concerts, art shows, food outreach programs and private events.
Check out the crowdfunding campaign below.