Vancouver's Sunrise Market Faces Uncertain Future as Community Rallies to Save Beloved Grocer
Residents in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Chinatown neighborhoods are urgently exploring strategies to rescue a cherished local grocery store that has been listed for sale. The community fears that if Sunrise Market is acquired by a new owner, the business could undergo drastic transformations, potentially stripping away access to affordable groceries and fresh produce that many depend on.
Community Mobilization and Emotional Ties
This past weekend, approximately 100 individuals from diverse backgrounds gathered for an afternoon town hall event to brainstorm potential solutions for preserving the market. The meeting was organized by Our Homes Can't Wait, a coalition of community groups, and facilitated by Kabir Madan of the Carnegie Housing Project. Attendees included Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking seniors from the area, university students, tenants' groups, and people of all ages from various parts of the city, including Mount Pleasant, east Vancouver, and the West End.
Kathy Shimizu, community engagement manager for the Powell Street Festival, emphasized the significance of the gathering. "They care about food sovereignty and are willing to do the work to find a community-led solution. This is crucial for everyone — from Indigenous people, to Chinese seniors, to people with disabilities, and to all the people who need affordable groceries across the city," she stated.
Madan highlighted the deep emotional connection residents have with Sunrise Market. "There was a lot of conversation about the emotional attachment people have and how they have relied on Sunrise Market for years, and how can we, as a community, make demands on the city or on non-profit organizations that might have the power to purchase it and to think of keeping it," he explained.
Historical Context and Business Details
Sunrise Market has been a fixture on the corner of the 300-block of Powell Street since the early 1960s. It was founded by the Joe family, who purchased the property and opened a grocery store while continuing to produce tofu in the back of the building. Over time, their Sunrise Soya business expanded to become Canada's largest tofu producer as tofu and other soy products gained popularity.
Now, family members operating the grocery business wish to retire. However, the family intends to sell only the business, not the property, which is assessed at just under $4 million. The listing on the Multiple Listing Services was adjusted to clarify that solely the business is for sale, with the initial asking price of $4.5 million recently reduced to $3.8 million.
Challenges and Potential Solutions
Andy Yan, an associate professor and planner in urban studies at Simon Fraser University, participated in the meeting and noted discussions about what type of organization could assume control of the business. One explored idea was member-owned grocery cooperatives, though Yan pointed out that many long-running co-ops in Vancouver have had to close after decades of operation.
Yan also warned of broader implications if businesses like Sunrise Market vanish. "He added that when businesses like Sunrise Market and cheap diners or cafes disappear, lineups for food banks will grow," underscoring the critical role such establishments play in food security.
The community's efforts reflect a growing concern over food accessibility and affordability in urban areas, with residents determined to find a sustainable, community-led solution to preserve this vital resource.
