A hidden gem 💎 The other day I was driving down Nanaimo street when I passed a small Italian grocery store. Sitting out front was an older gentleman eating a (very tasty looking) sandwich. I was starving, so I parked and went in for a bite to eat. This was my first time visiting Renzullo Food Market, and I knew nothing about the store beforehand. As soon as I walked in, everyone greeted me with a smile. It felt like every person shopping there was a regular—chatting with the staff, asking about their kids, sharing stories. The whole place had a sense of community, which can sometimes be hard to find in Vancouver. Gabriella was just as friendly as everyone else. You could tell she cared deeply about her work and loved being part of the team. Despite being busy, she graciously said yes for a quick photoshoot (as long as it didn’t interfere with her work, or other customers). She crushed it btw - such a natural. 👏👏 This store has been open since 1964, and over the years, the owners have become like family to her—helping her find housing, bringing her dinner when she’s sick, and always looking out for her. She also said that I should come back and chat with the owners of the store, because they have a lot of stories to share from over the years. I would absolutely love that (if they’re open to it!). This impromptu photoshoot was a reminder of how much places like Renzullo’s still matter. It’s more than just a market—it’s a local hub that’s kept its heart and soul for 60 years. P.S. For those wondering… the sandwich & coffee were phenomenal. 🤤 — ⚙️ Technical Notes: I used the Sony A7CII paired with a Samyang 45mm 1.8 lens for these photos. I can’t get over how good this lens is for the price! I could do this entire project with JUST this lens. I’m so happy that great quality lenses are becoming more affordable, because the barrier to entry for photography keeps getting lower and lower. — 📍 Renzullo Food Market, Vancouver BC — #streetportraits #strangerportraits #strangerproject #strangerphotoshoot #streetphotography #streetphotographer #vancouverbc - @justinveenema