With no opposition from city council last Tuesday night, the new owner, Paul Cheung of Lions Communications Inc. received a temporary permit for the Vulcan Way site for a night market to operate Friday to Sunday nights, as well as on statutory holidays, from May 30 to October 5.

The market’s founder, Raymond Cheung, (no relation to Paul Cheung) of Target Events Group was forced off the property earlier this year when the landlord "significantly" increased the rent. Lack of funds prevented Target Events Group from embarking on the market’s ninth consecutive year.

Amid concerns of trademark violations, Lions Communications will keep the name "Richmond Night Market," unless they find a sponsor.

"If we can find a sponsor before the opening, then we might change our name accordingly," said Amy Wong, spokesperson for Lions Communications. "We have been negotiating with several companies, like car dealerships and airlines, but we don’t have much time. That’s the problem."

Wong says even if they keep the Richmond Night Market name, it shouldn’t be a problem because "anything that is in the public interest cannot be trademarked."

With the May 30 date approaching quickly, Lions Communications is scrambling to put all the finishing touches on their new endeavour.

"Even though we risk losing more money starting so soon, we still want to go for it because this is not only a business venture, it’s attached to a lot of social responsibilities as well," she said. "For a lot of vendors, this is the only source of income for their whole family so we wanted to get this started as quickly as possible."

So far, the market has between 150 and 200 vendors signed up. Wong says the public this year can expect a bigger market and a crackdown on counterfeit goods. Lions Communications has agreed to pay about $35,000 for extra policing on the site to watch for fake merchandise.

"We have already turned down quite a lot of vendors who told us they are going to sell counterfeit products," said Wong.

The market has become a Metro Vancouver attraction, drawing over 30,000 visitors nightly who come in search of bargains, tasty treats and the warm, summer night air.