Strawberries
In the early spring of 1923, shoppers in Vancouver had been buying strawberries from Washington State. However, on Monday 28th May 1923:
“The first British Columbia straws were put on sale Monday by a Chinese vegetable dealer at 1409 Commercial Drive, two crates being received from his Woodward’s Landing ranch … The inspector declared the Marshall strawberries to be of excellent quality, and they retailed for 25cents per box.”
The Chinese vegetable dealer was Hop Lee and his brother Joseph who had run their grocery store since 1919. They stayed in business until 1956 when they sold out to a son and moved to Calgary. The store was re-named Joes Market.
Sources: Vancouver Daily World 1923 May 23, p.15; Sun 1923 May 23, p.5
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