An unsanctioned gathering of car enthusiasts has been prohibited from meeting at a Burnaby strip mall following complaints of rowdiness and violence.

The meet has happened every week for four years at Burnaby’s Market Crossing Mall. Car enthusiast Chase Nicholson said the gathering steadily grew in popularity over the three years he’s participated.

“It started with five people meeting up there Thursday nights to grab coffee and hang out, talk about cars,” he said “And it’s grown up to the four, five, 600 cars we get weekly now.”

Nicholson sold his 1985 Ford Mustang in high school then found it last year and bought it back. The car has years of history and sentimental value for him and his family.

“Originally my grandfather brought it brand-new for my grandmother. It was my first high school car,” Nicholson said. “I've put a fair amount of money and work into it, it’s my baby I'll never sell it.”

Dustin Clowers drives a 1997 Subaru Legacy wagon imported from Japan. He has been going to the meets for three years and said the gathering attracts car owners with vehicles of all makes and models.

“You bring everything from a beat down rusted-out Civic, to Ferraris and Lamborghinis that have had hundreds of thousands of dollars put into them,” he said.

Two weeks ago barriers were put up at the entrance to the Market Crossing mall.

“All of a sudden they blocked off the gates turned every car away. Anyone who looked like they were a car enthusiasts, turned them away,” Nicholson said.

Market Crossing spokesperson Jill Killeen said the car meets are problematic since there have been complaints of aggressive driving and bad behavior. One fight at a car gathering at the mall was captured on video in 2015.

“These rowdy and sometimes violent gatherings are intimidating customers and hurting businesses. And it really needs to stop,” she said. “These individuals don't simply have the entitlement to gather on private property for their own purposes.”

According to Nicholson the fight was a one-time incident and gatherings like the popular car meets are needed in Metro Vancouver.

“There's a huge demand for it. It gets people from street racing stuff like that. We're actually meeting, talking, parking our cars, making friends,” Nicholson said.

Anyone coming to Market Crossing for the car meet will be met by security.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson