A new Japanese convenience store is coming to Steveston’s Bayview Street, but it’s no stranger to Richmond.
Daruma Japanese Market will be taking over Ryoshi Market’s spot near Third Avenue this Saturday and will continue to offer Japanese treats and groceries.
The convenience store opened its first location in Richmond’s Capstan neighbourhood last year, and soon expanded to Parq Vancouver.
Daruma’s offerings include classic Japanese snacks as well as caviar and wagyu. It will also be serving sashimi bento in its Steveston location to collect customer feedback on the item.
The convenience store originally intended to offer authentic bentos in its first Richmond location, but the plan was “postponed due to economic downturn,” a spokesperson for Daruma told the Richmond News.
According to a statement from Daruma, the new location was chosen to honour the legacy of Japanese immigrants in Steveston.
“(Japanese immigrants) were the backbone of the local workforce, tirelessly engaged in fishing, fish processing, and various aspects of the fishing industry,” reads the statement.
“Their unwavering resilience in the face of challenges, including language barriers and social isolation, is an inspiration.”
Complimentary Japanese coffee and tea will be available between 8 and 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 21, during Daruma’s grand opening.
A mascot will be handing out balloons and snacks between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., followed by the official grand opening at 1:10 p.m. when complimentary drinks and snacks will be available.
Customers will also get to enjoy special promotion prices and have a chance to win mystery gifts for the best posts on social media.
Daruma Japanese Market’s shop hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be open year-round.
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