Sunrise Market goes up for sale amidst zoning changes

Fresh fruit and fantastic deals are the calling cards of Sunrise Market.

But there could soon be an expiry date for the community icon, with the business having gone up for sale in the midst of Vancouver City Council’s recent decision to overhaul zoning in the Downtown Eastside (DTES).

“It will be a huge loss for the many low-income seniors and residents in Chinatown and the DTES who rely so much on it for fresh and affordable groceries,” said

Michael Tan, Director of the Chau Luen Society, a non-profit organization active in Chinatown.

Tan is an advocate for seniors in the area, and he says the December motion to allow for high rises of up to 32 stories in parts of the DTES in Chinatown is going to push out long-time businesses and long-time residents.

“With the up zoning, what I’m most worried about is that there won’t be transitional housing for many of these seniors. So, the buildings will be sold, they’ll be given eviction notices, and that’s it. They’ll be facing 30 days. You’ll be out on the streets,” Tan said.

At the corner of Powell and Gore, Sunrise Market has been an oasis of affordability since the 1960s, but some in the local business community believe that redevelopment could actually improve the cost of living in the area.

“We should have more affordable housing around that area. I mean Powell Street, because the land is cheaper,” said Syrus Lee, charter president of the Chinatown Business Improvement Association.

“When you can build more in there than in the business district in Chinatown.”
However, Tan disagrees.

He is citing rumours he has heard that since the up zoning passed, the value of the property Sunrise is situated in has skyrocketed from its 2025 assessed value of about $4 million, and he expects more property owners to cash in.

“When we’re looking at motions like this that will remove many of the existing residents, you’re eradicating what makes the neighbourhood so special, which is the people living there,” Tan told The Leader Spirit.

Currently, Sunrise Market is listed for sale as a business, so there is hope another affordable grocer could move in.

But Tan says the expectation is that it will relist to include the property sometime soon, something he says he can’t fault the owners for.

“So many of us in the neighbourhood are so appreciative and thankful for the Joe family for building this icon, and it’s just going to be a real loss if it disappears,” Tan said.