2020 - Vancouver - Chinatown - Sunrise Market - 2 of 2
A mural with Leslie Joe painted on a roll up door at the Cordova Street entrance.
Joe, in his late 80's, still goes to the wholesaler to purchase produce and works at the market, doing both daily.
Sunrise Market has been a staple in Chinatown for decades. Today it is one of the few produce markets left. Twenty five years ago there were 20 now only 4 as the drug trade chased away customers, gentrification demolished many of the buildings and old age owners closing their business has changed the community.
From Sunrise website:
Leslie and Susan Joe immigrated to Canada in 1956, where they recognized a demand for tofu in Vancouver’s Chinese community.
Leslie and Susan began making small batches of fresh tofu in the back of their grocery store, Sunrise Market. It did not take long for Sunrise Market to develop loyal customers in the community.
As the demand for tofu grew throughout the 60’s and 70’s, so did the business. In 1983, factory space was purchased nearby to transition the small operation into a large scale manufacturing plant.
Over 60 years later, Sunrise Market still operates and Sunrise Soya Foods is Canada'a largest manufacturer of tofu.
This 2007 painted mural by Cristina Peori depicts the Powell street shopping experience and was commissioned by the Jo family.
On the door is a depiction of Japanese ornamental cherry blossoms against a background of the metal fence that was originally fabricated by Mr. Jo.
2020 - Vancouver - Chinatown - Sunrise Market - 2 of 2
A mural with Leslie Joe painted on a roll up door at the Cordova Street entrance.
Joe, in his late 80's, still goes to the wholesaler to purchase produce and works at the market, doing both daily.
Sunrise Market has been a staple in Chinatown for decades. Today it is one of the few produce markets left. Twenty five years ago there were 20 now only 4 as the drug trade chased away customers, gentrification demolished many of the buildings and old age owners closing their business has changed the community.
From Sunrise website:
Leslie and Susan Joe immigrated to Canada in 1956, where they recognized a demand for tofu in Vancouver’s Chinese community.
Leslie and Susan began making small batches of fresh tofu in the back of their grocery store, Sunrise Market. It did not take long for Sunrise Market to develop loyal customers in the community.
As the demand for tofu grew throughout the 60’s and 70’s, so did the business. In 1983, factory space was purchased nearby to transition the small operation into a large scale manufacturing plant.
Over 60 years later, Sunrise Market still operates and Sunrise Soya Foods is Canada'a largest manufacturer of tofu.
This 2007 painted mural by Cristina Peori depicts the Powell street shopping experience and was commissioned by the Jo family.
On the door is a depiction of Japanese ornamental cherry blossoms against a background of the metal fence that was originally fabricated by Mr. Jo.