Fortinos
Canadian supermarket chain, a subsidiary of the Loblaw Companies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fortinos is a Canadian supermarket chain that was founded in Hamilton, Ontario. It operates 24 stores across the western Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.[1] It is owned by Loblaw Companies Limited.
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 A Fortinos location in Vaughan, Ontario | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 1961, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Founder | John Fortino |
| Headquarters | , Canada |
Number of locations | 24 (2024) |
Area served | Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area |
| Products | Bakery, dairy, delicatessen, frozen foods, general grocery, meat and poultry, produce, seafood, snacks, pharmacy, flowers |
| Brands | |
| Parent | Loblaw Companies |
| Website | fortinos.ca |
History
In 1961, Giovanni (John) Fortino, a steelworker and immigrant from Cosenza, Calabria, Italy,[2] opened his first Fortinos store in lower Hamilton, Ontario, at King St. E. and Glendale Ave.[3] In 1972, John took on seven partners and opened a second store on Hamilton Mountain. Owing to their growing success, subsequent stores were opened in Hamilton, Burlington and Brampton.
Fortinos provides a European-style "townsquare" shopping concept in which the store is arranged like a European street with a Bakeshoppe, cheese shoppe, Butcher, Flower Shoppe, etc. The stores also feature cafes serving hot coffee, baked goods, and fresh- made-to-order wraps and soups. Fortino's slogan is "Your Supermarket with a Heart".
Fortinos became a part of Loblaw Companies Limited in 1988, but did not carry the parent company's No Name brand products. During the 1990s, Fortinos focused on the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, opening stores in Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Rexdale, Woodbridge, and Markham.
John Fortino died of cancer on May 18, 2011 at the age of 76.[4] In 2012, a memorial to the founder was erected at the Mall Road store in Hamilton.[citation needed]
