HOYA HOME LIVING

Nestled among many of Steveston’s popular First Avenue businesses you will find Hoya Home Living. This treasure trove of a kitchen shop is stocked with everyday utensils, pots, bakeware, serving dishes, coffee machines, and so much more. Hoya Home Living is owned by Leo Chang who opened the business in 2016. Originally from Taiwan, Leo has lived in Richmond for 20 years. He and his wife Dorothy Chan decided to venture into retailing cookware after Leo chose to move on from his career in wholesaling home décor. He says, “I love to cook. I met a lot of contacts when I was in wholesale. There were many cookware vendors at the gift shows I attended and meeting them helped me make my decision to open a store.” There are few places to purchase cookware in Richmond and Leo’s store is one of a kind in Steveston. The village is close to his Richmond home, and he knew it would be the perfect location for Hoya Home Living.

Leo Chang

Hoya Home Living carries products for beginners to gourmet chefs.

The crème de la crème of cookware is Le Creuset’s iconic enameled cast iron pots, which continue to be manufactured in la belle France. The almost 100-year-old company originally introduced the classic flame-coloured cocotte (Dutch oven), but now offers a rainbow of beautiful colours and styles that will become workhorses in your kitchen.

Staub cast iron and ceramic cookware also originate from France. The company is known for its versatile cocottes that come in different shapes, sizes, and colours that are ideal for cooking stews, searing, slow-cooked dishes, and even for baking bread. Staub fuses traditional Asian cuisine with French design in their range of cast iron woks.

Hoya Home Living has experienced an increase in business since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Remember the sourdough bread trend in 2020? Baking became a way to nourish ourselves and a therapeutic way to while away the hours during those early days when we were instructed to stay at home. Cooking at home also increased when restaurants were forced to close, and this trend has continued.

Leo says, “Customers began replacing their old cookware and upgraded to prepare meals at home. We have also seen an increase in coffee machine sales since more people began working at home and were looking for quality appliances.” As well, basic utensils from can openers to wooden spoons, knives and spatulas became necessities for new cooks when they started to equip their kitchens.

It's no secret that Steveston is a coffee-loving community, and Leo has targeted these aficionados with specialty coffee machines. Jura is a renowned Swiss brand that is brimming with the latest technology and produces an exquisite cup of java. Leo mentions that customers come to Hoya Home Living specifically for this product.

Hoya Home Living is known for its unique brands and reasonable prices.

Another exclusive line is Italian-made Alessi accessories and pots. The designs are as aesthetically pleasing as the products are functional; the 100-year-old company aims to make the ordinary extraordinary. Leo reports, “Alessi is not found in many shops. It’s a unique designer brand.”

‘Made in Canada’ always has a nice ring to it. Canadian company Meyer produces heavy-duty stainless-steel cookware in its Prince Edward Island factory, with affiliate factories in Canada, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Italy, and the United States. Meyer is an industry leader and is found in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the country, including influential and celebrity chefs, as well as the Prime Minister’s residence.

Leo has cleverly cross marketed his store by working with chefs that run cooking classes. He provides cookware that is used and promoted during demonstrations and yields sales for his shop.

The holiday season is upon us, and Hoya Home Living is a perfect spot to shop for gifts. Stocking stuffers abound; if you are unable to decide, gift cards are always a great option. During December, Hoya Home Living will offer tax-free Fridays. This is a perfect time to purchase gifts and maybe get a little (or big) something for yourself!

It is a huge compliment when customers recommend the shop to their friends.

Presently, Leo is having a website designed, which will be a valuable tool for shoppers. Until now, the store has relied on word of mouth, loyal customers, and passersby.

With a smile, Leo says, “The greatest reward of operating my business is that many customers have become our friends. They drop in the store to say hello.” This customer loyalty is likely due to Hoya Home Living’s friendly and attentive service. Both Leo and Dorothy take turns working in the shop, and Leo gives plenty of credit to staff member Santi Lin who has a wealth of product information. Leo says, “Santi loves to cook. Our customers really like her.”

If you love to cook, Hoya Home Living is a wonderful little shop to explore with all its temptations. Warning: it is very unlikely you will leave empty-handed.

Hoya Home Living 102-12071 First Avenue Richmond, BC V7E 3M1 Telephone 604-274-3787