Everyone loves a comeback story, especially when it involves a much-loved member of the community who encounters misfortune, only to rise again bigger and better than before.
This is what happened with half-century-old fine grocer, Pusateri’s, on Avenue Road.
On August 15, 2015, fire tore through the flagship building of Pusateri’s neighbourhood grocery retailers, causing extensive damage. This store had stood on the same spot, providing quality gourmet ingredients to countless customers for three decades. This substantial blaze took the resources of 15 fire trucks to extinguish.
This family business began as a produce market in the early 60s, gathering notoriety throughout the city for exceptional service and even better food. Their commitment to quality did not wane throughout generations, starting with Sicilian immigrant and founder Cosimo Pusateri. They were pioneers in a sense, credited with introducing some notable delicacies to the city, like Godiva Chocolate and Wagu Beef. When you consider the depth and length the roots of this business, the idea that the building that housed the evolution of this dream was gone is devastating.
But the dream continued to evolve, despite the events of that August night in 2015. The Pusateri family took this devastating circumstance as a chance to re-invent themselves – both their focus and their space. After 15 months of major renovations (and upgrades!), Pusateri’s grandly re-opened its doors this past November, as a gathering of friends, family, and loyal customers looked on.
This new store boasts 15,000 square feet of jam-packed gourmet space. They’ve also expanded their brand offerings and increased their fresh service departments, including an impressive array of local and international cheeses and deli meats, a bread counter that would rival any French boulangerie, a hand-rolled sushi counter and a vast selection of take-and-go meals.
They also have a great little cafe, where you can take a break from your shopping and sip on in-house artisanal coffee blends and nosh on yummy baked goods.
For the first-time ever, Pusateri’s is featuring a sit-down restaurant; they also now have a cold pressed juice shop. Foodies take note: this new store features their first offering in the rosticeria concept: a live cooking area complemented with a rotisserie and carving station.
Pusateri’s takes great pride in setting the standard for what it means to “live and eat well” in Toronto and their new space reflects that motto beautifully. It’s about incorporating the finer things into your daily routine in order to elevate it, not just as a “once-in-awhile” reward. As any foodie or amateur cook knows, dining is a multi-sensory, multi-tiered experience that ideally should begin with the procurement of your ingredients and end when you feast on your meal. How nice to be able to gather your goods in an environment with such selection and quality. The stylish surroundings help too.
For their various locations or to find a Pusateri’s near you, check out the store locations at: Pusateri’s Fine Foods.
Grocery shopping should be a lot like window shopping, with visual appeal, rather than with your list guiding your cart. Can you imagine having this as your neighbourhood grocer? This is the new reality for the lucky buyer of Magnificent on Mona Drive Near Avenue And Lawrence, which was a delight to sell! Amenities near your home are all about enhancing your lifestyle, and having this experience-based grocer nearby to run your errands certainly does that!
~ Steven and the Urbaneer Team
Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage • (416) 322-8000
http://www.urbaneer.com • info@urbaneer.com
– earn your trust, then your business –
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**Thanks to Pusateri’s, CP24, and Retail Insider for the use of their photographs.**
City Living
