The dwindling list of tenants at the River Market at Westminster Quay will get smaller as of this Saturday.

Laguna Blu Restaurant, which specializes in Italian food and dancing on the weekends, will close up shop on June 13.

"I have to move out because they're starting renovations," said owner Daniel Morosan. "I'm in the process of looking at two or three locations in Burnaby and Vancouver, and I hope to have some papers signed soon."

Morosan said the renovations at the market meant he had only been open on weekends, from Thursday to Sunday.

"It's been a tough couple of months," he admitted, "We just didn't have the traffic here, with the renovations, with the recession, with most of the market closed."

Morosan didn't close the door on returning to the market after renovations are completed, but several key things will need to change for that to happen.

"I'm always looking to make a good deal," he said. "But we just didn't have the traffic, we just didn't have the tourists. ... I hope, for the future, there's a lot more foot traffic."

According to the market's website at www.rivermarket.ca, the only other businesses still operating at the Quay currently are the Paddlewheeler Pub and Liquor Store, Top Gun Sushi and the Vancouver Circus School.

"We're about halfway through the interior renovations," said Mark Shieh, who's part of the ownership group for the River Market. "And we're very excited to start the exterior work this summer."

Shieh confirmed that he is still in discussions with Morosan to return once the renovations are complete.

"Daniel is a fantastic restaurateur and someone we'd love to have back here," he said.

Shieh agreed that increasing foot traffic for the remaining tenants is important and with the advent of summer, it's easier to book events on the waterfront that will draw people to the pub, liquor store and sushi restaurant.

"We've got a big celebration for Filipino Independence Day on June 14, and we've got the Royal City Concert Band playing on the evenings of July 2, 9 and 16," he said. "We're also expecting great things from FraserFest."

Shieh said the ownership group has been working hard to keep its current clients happy. And trying to get new tenants for the market, that he hopes to have reopened by 2010, has not been easy.

"Because of the economic downturn, businesses are very cautious on expanding," he said. "Sure it makes our job as landlord-developer more difficult , but we're working as hard as we can to serve our tenants."

James Crosty, president of the Quayside community board, said Shieh has been a good community partner.

"They've committed to sponsoring many of the events down here, and they provide electricity and bottled water for the festivals we have down here," said Crosty.

Crosty said that when the new Hyack Square opens, that will lead to increased foot traffic and hopefully, more customers.

"We all want to see this community grow, and we hope that a vibrant market will be a part of that growth."

alau@royalcityrecord.com