Sunrise Market on Powell Street

At 300 Powell Street, you will find more than just a market – a community cornerstone where history and hardship have intertwined for decades. Sunrise Market, now a local landmark, began humbly in 1956 when Leslie and Susan Joe took ownership. Immigrants from China, the Joes saw a growing demand for tofu among Vancouver’s Asian communities and started producing small batches right in the back of the shop. Fast forward to today, and Sunrise Soya has grown into Canada’s top tofu producer, with a massive manufacturing plant and a workforce of around 200. Yet, despite its growth, Sunrise Market remains rooted in its community origins, attracting shoppers from all walks of life who are eager to explore its diverse offerings.

But before Sunrise took over, the address had already seen its share of history. In the 1920s, it was home to Suzuki Fruit & Liquor, later becoming Yamamoto Fruits in the 1930s, and eventually housing Kawasaki Confectioner, famous for its Japanese treats. And next door at 314 Powell Street, the Fuji Chop Suey Building played its part in the area’s multicultural essence from 1931 to 1942, serving up Japanese-style Chinese cuisine and providing one of the few spaces where Japanese-Canadian women and children could dine out. During World War II, the building took on a darker role, as the federal government used its banquet hall to organize the displacement of Japanese Canadians.

Sunrise Market, layered with these complex histories, stands as a living testament to the neighborhood’s evolution. From its early days of tofu-making to its role in preserving cultural heritage, the market continues to build on a legacy that spans generations, proving that while times may change, the importance of community never does.