In 1986, Ruth and Amando Rama opened the doors of Sugarland Food Mart at 8006 Detroit Avenue — a small Filipino and Asian specialty grocery store born from a dream to bring the authentic flavors of the Philippines to Cleveland’s growing Filipino community. Their mission was simple: to stock a little taste of home for homesick expats and families in Parma, Cleveland, and all of Northeast Ohio.
Overcoming Obstacles
The early days weren’t easy. As immigrants starting a new business, Ruth and Amando faced unexpected bureaucratic hurdles. When they applied for a food stamp vendor’s license, they were told by a county official that because they were immigrants, they would have to wait a year and take special classes — regulations that, as it turned out, didn’t even exist. With the help of the local Plain Press newspaper, which contacted the Department of Agriculture on their behalf, the Ramas finally received their license. It was an early lesson in perseverance that would define everything Sugarland became.
Your Local Asian Market & Filipino Grocery
The early days were humble — a small space packed with the essential Filipino groceries that homesick expats craved. From bags of premium jasmine rice and bottles of Datu Puti vinegar to the unmistakable aroma of freshly baked pandesal and savory longanisa sausages, the shelves were stocked with a taste of home. Word spread quickly through the community, and Sugarland became more than just an Asian market — it became a gathering place.
Authentic Ingredients and Services
Over the decades, as Cleveland’s Filipino community grew, so did Sugarland Foodmart. Today, our aisles are filled with a wide variety of Filipino products. We carry everything from freshly baked goods-such as pandesal from Valerio’s Bakery and Umaga Bakehouse-to frozen Filipino delicacies and hard-to-find ingredients that make any house feel like home. Beyond groceries, we are proud to offer trusted balikbayan box shipping services and money remittances, helping our customers send care packages-and love-back home to their families.
More Than Just Groceries
But Sugarland has always been about more than just selling ingredients for Filipino foods. It’s where lolas swap recipes in the aisles, where newcomers find familiar faces and flavors, and where the next generation discovers the traditional tastes their parents grew up with. We’ve supported local Filipino organizations and always kept our doors open with a smile and a warm “Kumusta!”
Looking Forward
Nearly four decades later, the same family values that Ruth and Amando built into our original Detroit Avenue store continue to guide us at our current home on Ridge Road in Parma, Ohio. We remain committed to quality, authenticity, and community — serving not just Filipino families, but anyone in Greater Cleveland who appreciates good food, Asian cuisine, and genuine hospitality. Whether you’re picking up ingredients for a family fiesta, searching for your favorite Asian snacks, or shipping a Balikbayan box, Sugarland Food Mart is here for you.
