SUKOSHI MART’s Early Days

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we want to reflect on SUKOSHI MART’s journey—a story close to us as a proud Asian and women-owned business. Believe it or not, SUKOSHI MART began as a sidelined passion project in 2018 for co-founders Linda Dang and Nancy Young, alongside their existing sake bar, Koi Koi, and North Poké store just down the street.

Taking inspiration from konbini (Japanese convenience stores), SUKOSHI MART was originally a modest 355-square-foot convenience store in Kensington Market. The name “SUKOSHI,” meaning “a little” in Japanese, perfectly captured the essence of this space. True to our motto, the founders sought to create a one-stop shop offering “a little bit of everything,” ensuring a variety of unique Asian finds in every nook and cranny.

Inside, the shop’s adorable interior was brimming with imported Asian must-haves, such as beloved K-beauty brands and quirky stationery featuring nostalgic mascots like Hello Kitty©, Kumamon©, and Gudetama©, beckoning you to explore.

And how could we forget the grab-and-go snacks? With in-house Asian desserts, ready-made bentos, and even fresh mini taiyakis, we really served and took it literally.

Whether browsing Korean face masks, munching on tasty treats, or geeking out on Studio Ghibli© figurines, there was something for everyone.

Reflections from the Heart of SUKOSHI MART

Beyond expectations, SUKOSHI MART quickly took on a life of its own. More than just a teeny-tiny shop in one of Toronto’s liveliest neighbourhoods, it became a vibrant space for the community to bask in their love for Asian culture.

Recognizing the store’s surging hype and sensation, Linda and Nancy knew it was time for a big move. And just a year later, SUKOSHI MART marked its first official store within one of the top 3 malls.

Take a trip down memory lane with us as we uncover SUKOSHI MART's origin story with our founders and original members!

Linda, CEO

What inspired the creation of SUKOSHI MART?

SUKOSHI MART was inspired by Haruki Murakami's concept of "a small but certain happiness." Our goal from day one has been to create a retail environment that instantly fills you with happiness and joy the moment you step through our doors. Everything at SUKOSHI MART reflects our personal interests and passions, thoughtfully curated to ensure a memorable experience for each and every visitor.

How was the first store location chosen?

Funny enough, the first store location was chosen quite spontaneously. One day, as Nancy and I were on our way to work, we randomly stumbled upon a vacant store in Kensington. I turned to her and joked about how great it would be to use that space to test a new concept. With the unit being just 355 square feet, we felt the name "SUKOSHI" was fitting. To our surprise, the reception when we first opened was overwhelming, and we quickly realized we were outgrowing the space. It was a serendipitous beginning that set the stage for SUKOSHI MART's journey of growth and expansion.

Reflecting on SUKOSHI MART’s early journey, what do you find most rewarding?

What I find most rewarding is not only the avenue to be creative and drive the brand's evolution but also to witness the growth of a team where female leadership thrives. It's been incredibly fulfilling to see our team members seize opportunities, advance, and put their ideas into action. Being part of an environment where everyone's contributions are valued and individuals are empowered to take initiative has truly been a highlight of our journey so far.

Nancy, VP of Operations

How did SUKOSHI MART transform from a concept to a real business?

Launching SUKOSHI MART has to have been the most spontaneous decision I’ve ever made in my life. Linda and I quickly decided on a concept, and from there, everything began to take shape. Originally conceived as a convenience store concept, hence the "MART" in our name, it has since evolved into a full-fledged retail destination.

Over time, we’ve expanded our offerings and refined our approach to better serve our customers’ diverse needs and desires. This evolution has been driven by our unwavering commitment to providing a space where customers can experience convenience, genuine happiness, and satisfaction in every interaction.

What challenges did you encounter in bringing SUKOSHI MART to life?

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of our most significant hurdles. Like many other businesses, we suffered from closures and an unforeseen future. However, we learned to adapt and shifted our perspective, seizing the opportunity to create an online store.

Establishing our website was a journey in itself. It demanded a lot of time and learning from our entire team. Witnessing the culmination of our efforts, from the initial setup to going live, was very rewarding.

Cheryl, Marketing Project Manager

How would you describe SUKOSHI MART’s atmosphere and culture during its early days?

At Kensington, our team was very small but tight-knit, and it was always fun when working together in pairs. Many of our products were not commonly found downtown, so receiving new shipments was always exciting.

Back then, Kensington was a really busy area, especially on the weekends. Being in the downtown core surrounded by lots of fun activities, we’d often go out for karaoke or drinks after work. SUKOSHI MART was truly a hidden gem where we had great conversations with the people in the city and our regular customers.

What initially drew you to work with SUKOSHI MART?

Honestly, it was because I thought it was so cute! I loved all the products we sold and I would always browse our latest products while shelving and doing inventory. It’s great that SUKOSHI MART brings like-minded people together, and creates a space where your hobbies can flourish, no matter your age.

What motivates you to continue working with them today?

My wonderful coworkers are what motivates me. We have such amazing teams, both online and in-store, and we like to keep things fun. Whether it’s planning picnics or sending memes to the work group chats, we always have a great time together. Plus, we host cool events like our Artist Markets or Blind Box Trading Events. It's exciting to see how much more we can grow!

SUKOSHI MART Today: Six Years Later

Looking back on our humble beginnings, it's incredible to see how far we've come. Fast forward to today, SUKOSHI MART has grown into a thriving community and retail destination, rapidly transcending the Greater Toronto Area and province.

Throughout our remarkable growth, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to sharing our passion for Asian pop culture, lifestyle, and beauty, while providing completely authentic and high-quality events and experiences.

With an online store shipping worldwide, and multiple brick-and-mortar stores established across Ontario (and many more to come!), we’re dedicated to offering an ever-expanding range of products to ensure your essentials are always within reach. No matter where you are, we want to bring SUKOSHI MART closer to you!

For now, to all SUKOSHI MART newcomers and long-time supporters, thank you for being a part of our story and driving our community forward. We hope you’ll join us in continuing to champion Asian culture.

Here's to celebrating our roots and embarking on new adventures! 🌸✨ Stay connected on our socials to catch all the exciting drops and Asian happenings ahead.