Q&A WITH SIFAT, OWNER OF THE MARKET AT SUGAR HOUSE ISLAND
We recently sat down with Sifat, owner of The Market at Sugar House Island (our beloved Island supermarket), to learn more about his journey as the Island’s first retail business, his commitment to community-led retail and how the business has grown alongside the neighbourhood.
Please can you introduce The Market and share a bit of background about the business and your journey to Sugar House Island?
I began working in retail in 2008, supporting my family’s convenience store on Devon’s Road. In 2018, we became aware of Sugar House Island as it was taking shape and saw an opportunity to bring our experience to a new and growing neighbourhood. After approaching Vastint, we opened The Market’s first unit on 5 January 2021, becoming the very first business to open on the Island.
Vastint had visited our Devon’s Road store and was impressed by our approach to customer service and community retailing. I’m proud to say that The Market has been part of Sugar House Island since day one. I also live locally in East London, so it’s been especially meaningful to build the business here.
What makes Sugar House Island, and Stratford more broadly, an ideal location for your business?
My background is in community-based retail rather than high street retail. I understand the importance of delivering a reliable, personal service within a residential setting. Sugar House Island stood out to me as a new kind of neighbourhood, one that would prioritise community and create a local hub. That vision aligned perfectly with how we operate.
Why did you decide to expand the business, and how was the process of doing so?
When we first opened, the aim was to meet the essential needs of residents through a smaller store. But as the Island developed and more people began to live, work, and study here, there was a clear demand for a larger space. This led to the launch of our expanded store in April 2025.
Vastint has been incredibly supportive throughout this journey. From the outset, they’ve championed independent businesses over larger chains, and their team worked closely with us to deliver the new store. Their step-by-step guidance helped ensure a successful transition and opening.
How has The Market engaged with the local community and built your own presence on the Island?
Community engagement has always been central to what we do. The move to the larger unit allowed us to deepen our relationships with local customers. Many residents have supported us from the very beginning and now know our team on a first-name basis, which is something we’re very proud of.
We also actively partner with local schools, particularly School 360, contributing to events and donating refreshments. In addition, we’re involved with Making a Difference Locally, a charitable initiative that allocates a portion of each sale to community causes. Over the years, our journey has been featured in press stories, often highlighting our success as an Asian-owned independent business.
What are some of your favourite things to do in the local area?
One of the things I most enjoy is walking around Sugar House Island and taking in the canal-side views, particularly at Chimney Walk, which is a peaceful spot for lunch. We also enjoy visiting nearby Westfield Stratford for shopping and dining.