A bright, airy corner of Vancouver's Chinatown neighbourhood has a new tenant that is carrying on - and growing - the tradition of providing the neighbourhood with fresh produce at affordable prices.
Tasty Market & Café has been open since about mid-September at 291 E Georgia St. The address was previously - and briefly - home to the Vancouver outpost of North Vancouver-based Larry's Market, a vegetarian boutique grocer that closed the location down this summer. (V.I.A. reached out to Larry's Market for comment regarding the closure but did not receive a response.)
The new market/cafe is situated in a historic building that dates back over a century and for a long time in more recent memory served as a Chinese grocer, though, according to Canada's Historic Places, it's also been a tailor and barber in its century-plus history.
Tasty's team has made great use of the existing marketplace/cafe infrastructure and layout to pick up operations and expand its offerings.
While the previous business in the space was all about meat-free foods, Tasty is offering a menu featuring a wider range of eats, including vegan, gluten-free, and omnivore options. The food is all made in-house by a pair of chefs who are creating approachable cafe fare like muffins and cookies, cakes and brownies, and soup, salads, sandwiches and wraps, easily enjoyed in-house in the cozy, bright laid-back space (with massive garage-style doors that face Georgia Street and let in lots of light and air) or taken as grab-and-go.
Also on the cafe side is a full range of hot and cold beverages; Tasty is using Vancouver's Milano for coffee beans.
On the market side is an expanded selection of organic produce sourced from Discovery Organics. Basic pantry items, specialty groceries, and refrigerated market items are available, with competitive pricing. The goal, according to a Tasty staffer, is to offer the neighbourhood fresh, high-quality food and products at a great price point and for any dietary need.
Although Tasty Market & Café's website isn't quite up and running, the business has an Instagram account (@tastymarketandcafe). The shop and cafe are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
