Rise Up!

Rise Up
Neighbourhood Café & Marketplace
Strathcona

Before the holidays, I stopped by Rise Up in Strathcona to meet one of its owners, Roger Collins (also behind Calabash, his Gastown Caribbean bistro). What once was a longstanding grocer, 704 Vernon has recently turned into a community market with an aim to bring people together to feel good and live good. With the help of Roger and the team behind Rise Up, it’s a culturally diverse destination that’s part marketplace, part café serving up coffees, fresh baked breads, sandwiches, cookies and delicious home-made Jamaican patties.

The great thing about this spot is that Rise Up is making community and culture convenient. It’s noticeable as soon as you walk into the doors. The shelves are stocked with amazing, local goods - many of them made by Vancouver’s BIPOC creators. Tunes are playing - anything from reggae to Beyoncé - and the vibes are strong. A majority of the customers are neighbourhood residents stopping by to say hi while they grab a drink and go. Kids crowd in the corner to take their turn on the old PacMan arcade game. And, others come and sit for a while to enjoy the positive atmosphere that inherently permeates the space.

Roger and I chatted for a while and I told him that Rise Up reminds me of a corner bodega you see in Brooklyn or in the suburbs of Toronto streets. What started as an impromptu idea, there’s a strong intention behind this new Vancouver marketplace that you understand when you’re in it and soaking up the sounds, the people and the food. Continue on to learn more….

Rise Up Marketplace, 704 Vernon Drive in Strathcona

Rise Up is located in the heart of Strathcona. Why did you choose this up-and-coming neighbourhood?

We didn’t actually choose this location. A friend’s company purchased the house next door and the store was part of the property. He called me and asked if I knew anyone “who might be interested”. I visited the area and took a look at the store. Right then I knew it needed some good love and the vision started there.

What's the inspiration behind Rise Up?

To create a space where people can come together and feel good again! It’s about food, music, culture and good vibes enjoyed in an atmosphere where the intention is to lift each other’s spirits. Also, we bake bread, cookies, and other items in house so there is the rising of our goods too.

What are some of your favourite products you sell in the market?

1) Strawberry preserve jam from our friends over at Cadeaux bakery. 2) Kula Foods Pili Pili Sauce. A must have!! 3) Our selection of Jamaican Patties! 4) In house baked Cherry Vanilla cookie. 5) Ting, Orangina and Ginger Beer drinks to refresh the palette. 6) Rise Up Cocoa Tea (hot chocolate).

Ok, I need to stop.

A favourite food you carry?

Rise Up Grilled Cheese! 3 cheeses with a little touch of tomato. Feel good food and delicious!!

Describe the community that surrounds you.

We are so happy to be a part of this lovely neighbourhood. We get daily visits from the staff and students from the school across the street. People who work in the surrounding area have found us for lunch and we now have them in as regulars. Last but definitely not least, our neighbours who live nearby our store are so supportive and are the absolute best!!

There's a team behind Rise Up. What's one thing you all have in common that makes Rise Up unique?

Our team consists of passionate people who want to see this space become so much more than a place to eat and shop. We are unique as our intention is to create a lifestyle which supports, highlights and elevates the community with a strong connection to all of our diverse cultures.

Your ambiance gives me the feels of Toronto and New York. What do you think Vancouver has that no other city has?

We want to blend the vibes of NY, the roots and sounds of the Caribbean and the feel and diversity of Toronto. I think Vancouver brings the beauty of nature with a touch of a small city in a “growth spurt” kind of feel.

Top three songs and artists on the shop’s playlist.

It’s so hard to pick only 3 but here it goes…

I like it - Debarge

Cranes in the sky - Solange

Uptown top Ranking - Althea and Donna

What brings your clients coming back for more?

I think it’s a combination of delicious food, solid local products and positive vibes!

You also own Calabash in Gastown. Any similarities between your two spots?

Both Calabash and Rise Up have a Caribbean warmth to them and seem to attract down-to-earth and friendly people.

Name some other great places in Strathcona that help define this area?

The famous ice cream shop, Landyachtz, Strange Fellows, Militant Mothers of Raymur overpass and so much more!

What's in store for Rise Up in 2022?

For 2022 it’s all about growth. We’ll continue to connect with our community while bringing in new guests, new artists and more products so that we can share more of what this beautiful city has to offer. There’s also talk of creating a patio on the side for some good, spring and summertime hangs.

We truly want us all to Rise Up together!!

704 Vernon Drive
@riseupmarketplace