For BC boaters, pre-season rituals are non-negotiable. Whether prepping a commercial gillnetter for a salmon opening or readying a recreational cruiser for Desolation Sound, having the right part at the right time is essential. For decades, Steveston Marine & Hardware made it possible: walk in, find what you need, get back on the water.
That’s why so many boaters in Metro Vancouver, Langley, and the Fraser Valley have been caught off guard. Once-reliable storefronts have closed. Shelves that were once stocked are now empty. The reality of Steveston Marine and Hardware scaling back its physical presence is forcing the region’s boating community to adapt.
Steveston Marine & Hardware has closed its Steveston, Richmond, and Langley locations, leaving only its Vancouver store in operation. For many boaters in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, this means key chandleries are no longer accessible where they are needed most. If you relied on Steveston Marine, the main local alternative now is Poco Marine in Port Coquitlam, which continues to offer a wide inventory, in-person service, and repair expertise.
A Brief History of Steveston Marine and Hardware
The First Roots: Pre-1941
The story begins before the business even had its current name. In 1928, Matsu Tanaka, a prominent Japanese-Canadian fisherman and fish broker, built a hardware store and commercial property on Moncton Street in Steveston, at the time the undisputed “Salmon Capital of the World.” His business supplied the massive commercial fleet operating at the mouth of the Fraser River.
That era ended abruptly in 1942, when the Canadian federal government mandated the forced internment of Japanese-Canadians along the BC coast. Tanaka was interned in Grand Forks and later exiled to Japan. His business and assets were sold at forced prices, effectively erasing a foundational part of Steveston’s maritime history.
1941: Steveston Hardware Is Founded
In the vacuum left by the internment, the business was formally re-established in 1941 as Steveston Hardware, originally operated by two brothers who capitalized on the post-war boom in BC’s commercial fishing sector. As the customer base shifted almost entirely toward the marine industry, the business was renamed in 1974 to reflect its new identity as a full marine supply store.
1984 to 1988: Expansion Under Iqbal Ladha
The modern chapter of Steveston Marine Canada began in 1984, when entrepreneur Iqbal Ladha acquired the business. Recognizing the explosive growth of recreational boating in the Pacific Northwest, Ladha transformed a single village storefront into a dominant regional chain:
- 1986 – Vancouver location opened on West 5th Avenue, targeting boaters from False Creek, English Bay, and the North Shore
- 1988 – Steveston Marine Langley opened on the Langley Bypass, serving inland trailer-boaters, freshwater anglers, and Fraser Valley residents
- Later, a large Richmond location on River Road was added to serve as a central commercial hub.
At its peak, Steveston Marine and Hardware operated four locations across the Lower Mainland, stocking over 50,000 items, from marine diesel stoves and winches to electronics and antifouling paints. For decades, it was BC’s go-to name in marine retail.
Why Are There Store Closures? What Happened?
The retreat of Steveston Marine was not one sudden decision. It happened in phases, caused by a combination of industry decline, rising rents, and shifting consumer habits.
Original Steveston Location (Moncton Street): Closed 2018
The flagship Moncton Street store closed in late summer 2018, the most symbolic loss of all.
Two forces converged. First, the Steveston village had gentrified dramatically, transforming from an industrial fishing hub into a tourist destination. Property values rose sharply, making the land far more valuable for mixed-use condo development than for retail. The building was sold to a developer for exactly that purpose.
Second, the core customer base had nearly vanished. Co-owner Iqbal Ladha noted publicly that when he purchased the business, approximately 1,450 commercial boats were operating locally. By the time of the closure, that number had fallen to around 300. With the commercial fleet shrinking and parking restrictions making it difficult for boaters to load heavy gear, the traditional chandlery model was no longer viable in the village.
Richmond Location (River Road): Closed ~2024 to 2025
The Richmond store, which took in Steveston’s inventory, closed between 2024 and 2025. Soaring rents in Metro Vancouver’s industrial zones were the main factor. Construction from the Steveston Interchange Project, causing overnight closures and traffic detours, also cut off walk-in access for commercial operators.
When the Richmond location closed, its remaining inventory was consolidated into the Vancouver store.
Steveston Marine Langley BC: Late 2025 – Summer 2026
For Fraser Valley boaters, Steveston Marine in Langley, BC, at #201–19700 Langley Bypass, was historically the most accessible location in the region. As of early 2026, it is now permanently closed, as confirmed by its Google Maps listing. This closure occurred quietly in late 2025 or early 2026, leaving customers without advance public notice.
No press release or public announcement documented the closure, and many directories still show it as active, a common delay on business listing platforms. Community records confirm the Langley store operated as late as June 2025, so closure was likely in late 2025 or early 2026. It was quietly shut down as part of the same broader consolidation as the Richmond and original Steveston locations.
With Langley gone, the Vancouver store at 1667 West 5th Avenue is now the only remaining physical Steveston Marine location in BC.
Why It All Happened: Four Key Factors
The larger collapse of Steveston Marine’s retail network reflects four intersecting pressures:
Decline of BC’s commercial fishing industry
Decades of declining Pacific salmon stocks, shifting federal regulations, and rising costs decimated the commercial fleet, the very customer base that built the chandlery business.
Rising commercial rents
Waterfront and industrial zoning across Metro Vancouver has been reshaped by gentrification, making large-footprint hardware warehouses economically unsustainable.
Online competition
E-commerce platforms routinely undercut local store pricing on marine parts. Many customers now use physical stores only to inspect an item before buying it online, making it extremely difficult to justify the cost of maintaining a 50,000-item inventory.
Inventory and service erosion
As financial pressure mounted, maintaining a deep, well-organized stock and keeping experienced staff became harder. Over time, differences in both areas eroded the customer loyalty the brand had built over decades.
What This Means for BC Boaters
The loss of accessible Steveston Marine hardware locations has created real logistical gaps for the boating community.
For immediate needs, a blown raw-water impeller, a failed bilge pump, waiting three days for online delivery is not always an option. Walk-in availability of specialized parts isn’t a luxury; for some mariners, it’s a safety issue.
Beyond the practical, there’s an emotional dimension worth acknowledging. Classic chandleries are community spaces, not just retail stores. They’re where boaters exchange knowledge about local currents, engine diagnostics, and seasonal conditions. Losing that informal hub is a loss that algorithms can’t replace.
Poco Marine: A Trusted Local Alternative
For boaters in the Tri-Cities, Fraser Valley, and east of Vancouver, Poco Marine (pocomarine.com) has stepped into the gap left by Steveston Marine’s closures.
Who Are We
Located at 1650 Kingsway Ave. Unit 110, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada, V3C 3Y9, Poco Marine operates a full-service marine retail and repair facility designed to meet the needs of both recreational and commercial boaters across Greater Vancouver.
- Phone: +1 (604) 464-8773
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Website: https://www.pocomarine.com/
What We Stock
Poco Marine is built as a genuine one-stop shop for marine needs:
- Engine parts and maintenance – lubricants, fuel filters, raw water impellers, sacrificial anodes, fibreglass resins, antifouling paints, and marine sealants
- Marine electronics – GPS systems, chartplotters, acoustic sounders, and VHF radios from Garmin and Raymarine, plus all associated wiring and hardware
- Safety gear – Mustang Survival PFDs, EPIRBs, and fire suppression equipment
- Fishing equipment – crab traps, prawn traps, Scotty downriggers, and trap pullers designed for BC’s deep-water inlets
- Watersports – wakeboards, stand-up paddleboards, and towables for lake boating on Pitt and Alouette Lakes
What Sets Us Apart
This is where Poco Marine goes beyond what any e-commerce platform can offer. Our in-house capabilities include:
- Precision propeller repair and pitch analysis
- In-House Service and Maintenance
- Specialized Sourcing and Parts
- Complex boat rigging and electrical installation services
These services require expertise and hands-on access, exactly what has been lost with Steveston Marine’s retreat.
Why Poco Marine Makes Sense
Poco Marine is locally owned and operated, so your spending supports BC’s marine infrastructure. Their inventory rivals Steveston Marine’s at its peak, featuring key brands such as Yanmar, Volvo Penta, Mercury, Yamaha, Garelick, Scotty, Raymarine, and Mustang Survival.
They also carry specialty products not easy to find elsewhere, such as Johnson cutless bearings, Racor filtration systems, Seastar hydraulic steering kits, Espar and Webasto marine heaters, and marine-specific electrical components, such as Blue Sea Systems panels. The Port Coquitlam location serves boaters from Langley, the Tri-Cities, and eastern Metro Vancouver, helping them avoid Vancouver’s congestion.
Our staff also bring genuine local knowledge, advice on BC tidal shifts, regional prawning setups, and DIY mechanical guidance that’s specific to local conditions.
Useful Advice for BC Boaters Going Forward
- Bookmark pocomarine.com for quick online orders between trips to the store. Most in-stock items ordered online by 2 PM are ready for same-day in-store pickup, and local shipping within Metro Vancouver typically arrives in 1 to 2 business days. This lets you plan urgent repairs with confidence, knowing your parts will be on hand when you need them.
- With the right information and resources, BC boaters can remain prepared and connected, even as longstanding stores close. By turning to trusted local alternatives and remaining adaptable, the community can ensure strong support and availability of vital marine services for years to come.
- Plan your supply runs early; don’t assume parts will be available on a summer Friday. Run a pre-season mechanical audit and restock before peak boating months.
- Support local marine stores. The economic pressures that forced Steveston Marine’s closures haven’t gone away. Choosing local stores keeps essential marine expertise alive in BC communities.
The consolidation of Steveston Marine denotes a genuine shift in BC’s marine retail market. The closures of the first Steveston, Richmond, and potentially Steveston Marine Langley locations reflect pressures that have been building for years, including declines in commercial fishing, soaring rents, and the rise of online retail. Losing an 80-year-old institution is hard, and the boating community is right to feel it.
But the coast is resilient. Boaters who knew Steveston Marine and Hardware know what good local service looks like, and that standard still exists. Poco Marine in Port Coquitlam carries the inventory, expertise, and in-person service model that make a real difference when you need a part today, not next week.
Before your next season starts, visit pocomarine.com or stop by their Port Coquitlam store. Keep your vessel ready, your safety gear current, and your next voyage fully provisioned.
Information current as of May 2026.
FAQs
What is Steveston Marine Langley known for?
Steveston Marine & Hardware in Langley, BC, is known for being one of British Columbia’s most established marine supply stores, offering over 50,000 in-stock items, including marine electronics, fishing gear, safety equipment, and boat hardware, serving recreational and commercial boaters since 1941.
Is Steveston Marine family owned?
Yes. Steveston Marine is a family-owned business. It has been under Ladha family management for over 35 years and has served BC’s boating community since it was established in 1941.
What kind of boats does Steveston Marine sell?
Steveston Marine Langley specializes in marine parts, supplies, and hardware rather than full boat sales. Their inventory includes inflatable boats, marine electronics, fishing gear, safety equipment, and hardware from brands like Garmin, Raymarine, Lowrance, and Mustang.
What is the history of Steveston Marine?
Steveston Marine & Hardware was founded in 1941 and has been a trusted marine retailer in British Columbia for over 80 years. Originally rooted in the fishing village of Steveston, the business grew into multiple locations and is today operated by the Ladha family, with stores in Vancouver and Langley.
How did Steveston get its name?
Steveston is named after Manoah Steves, whose family were among the first settlers in the area in 1878. His son William developed a townsite called “Steves” in 1880, which by 1890 had grown into Steveston, a thriving fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser River.
Is Steveston Marine closing?
No. Steveston Marine Langley is open and operating. While the original Steveston, Richmond and Langley locations have closed over the years, the Vancouver store is the only one that remains open.