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Mary Brown’s Chicken opens Toronto flagship with José Bautista at Sankofa Square

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Mary Brown's Chicken (CNW Group/Mary Brown's Chicken)

Mary Brown’s Chicken has opened a new flagship restaurant in downtown Toronto in partnership with former Blue Jays player José Bautista, marking a high-profile expansion at one of the country’s busiest intersections.

The Canadian-owned quick-service restaurant chain said the location at 10 Dundas St. E., in Sankofa Square, represents a strategic move to strengthen its brand presence in a prominent urban market as it continues its national growth.

The restaurant officially opened to the public on June 23, placing Mary Brown’s Chicken in the centre of a heavily trafficked area in Toronto. The company said the flagship site is intended to attract a broad mix of customers, including residents, office workers, students and tourists.

Mary Brown’s Chicken (CNW Group/Mary Brown’s Chicken)

The opening builds on a relationship between the company and Bautista that has developed over the past two years through marketing campaigns and other initiatives.

“Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to get to know the Mary Brown’s team and see firsthand how passionate they are about quality and community. Being part of this flagship opening at such an iconic Toronto location is exciting for me, and I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone into the store to experience the great food and atmosphere,” said Bautista.

Karen Tam
Karen Tam

Company president Karen Tam said the new location reflects both the partnership with Bautista and the company’s broader ambitions.

“This opening marks a special moment for Mary Brown’s, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating it with José Bautista. What started as a partnership has grown into a genuine relationship built on shared values and a mutual love for the brand. This restaurant places Mary Brown’s at the centre of one of Canada’s most dynamic destinations and allows us to introduce even more guests to the quality, freshness and hospitality that have made us a Canadian favourite for more than 55 years,” said Tam.

The company said the flagship opening follows the recent launch of its 300th restaurant in New Brunswick, part of what it describes as ongoing expansion into key markets across the country. The Toronto site is positioned as a high-visibility location intended to reinforce brand recognition while supporting continued growth.

Gregory Roberts
Gregory Roberts

Chief executive Gregory Roberts said the new restaurant underscores the company’s trajectory from its origins to its current scale.

“From our beginnings in Newfoundland more than five decades ago to opening a flagship restaurant at one of the busiest and most recognizable intersections in Canada, this is a proud moment for our brand. This location reflects how far Mary Brown’s has come while staying true to the quality, hospitality and Canadian roots that have defined us from the start,” said Roberts.

The chain, founded in St. John’s in 1969, now operates more than 300 locations across Canada and has begun expanding internationally, with sites in markets including Mexico, the United Kingdom, India and Pakistan.

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‘Buy Canadian’ movement gains momentum as shoppers prioritize local brands: Healthy Planet

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Photo- Healthy Planet
Photo- Healthy Planet

Ahead of Canada Day, Canadians are looking for ways to support homegrown businesses. That mindset is increasingly influencing what ends up in their shopping carts. 

Healthy Planet, a Canadian-owned retailer with 44 stores across Ontario and nationwide e-commerce shipping, is seeing continued demand for Canadian-owned products across the health food, natural grocery, clean beauty and vitamin/supplement categories. 

Muhammad Mohamedy, Healthy Planet
Muhammad Mohamedy, Healthy Planet

“Canadians are becoming more intentional about the brands they support,” said Muhammad Mohamedy, General Manager of Healthy Planet.  “Since our inception, Healthy Planet has been a strong supporter of Canadian brands and businesses-to the point where today, one out of every two brands we carry are Canadian. 

“This hyper-local focus aligns perfectly with a broader shift in consumer behavior, as we’re seeing shoppers ask more questions about where products come from and make purchasing decisions based on values, transparency and a desire to support Canadian businesses.”  

One year after launching its #HealthyCanadianSwap initiative, Healthy Planet said the interest in buying Canadian has evolved from a short-term reaction into a longer-term shopping habit, with consumers actively seeking out local alternatives and paying closer attention to where products are made. 

Healthy Planet said it continues to support Canadian brands through targeted initiatives which includes dedicated online shopping filters, a Canadian products section on its website and in-store maple leaf shelf tags that help customers quickly identify Canadian-owned businesses or made-in-Canada products. 

The product categories seeing the strongest demand for Canadian-owned brands is most pronounced in supplements, said Mohamedy.

“In several aisles Canadian-owned brands are nearly the entire shelf – roughly 98% of our magnesium sales and 97% of our vitamin sales are Canadian-owned, with joint care, omega and protein not far behind. Sports nutrition is the fastest-growing of all, with Canadian-made protein and pre/post-workout products outpacing their categories,” he said.

“A striking way to see it: Canadian-owned brands are only about a quarter of the roughly 2,200 brands we carry, but they drive about two-thirds of our sales – they punch well above their weight. And it’s broadening into natural and specialty food, where dairy, frozen and snacks now run majority-Canadian too.”

“Where a strong Canadian-made option exists, our shoppers are choosing it, and the supplement aisle is where that’s most complete,” added Ashish Khera, Head of Marketing, Healthy Planet.

Over the past year, Canadian-owned brands have taken a larger and notably broader share of the basket – the preference that used to live mostly in supplements has been spreading into food,” said Mohamedy.

Healthy Planet Photo
Healthy Planet Photo

“It reads less like a one-time patriotic moment and more like our shoppers steadily building Canadian-made into their regular routine, consistent with the wider ‘buy Canadian’ sentiment retailers across the country have reported.”

In health and wellness, origin and ownership map directly onto what shoppers already care about – ingredient transparency, trust, and supporting local makers, explained Mohamedy.

“Often the Canadian-owned brand is also the one being most open about how a product is made, so ‘buy Canadian’ and ‘buy the product I trust’ increasingly point to the same item on the shelf. We can’t quantify motivation from sales data, but the behaviour is consistent with people weighing where a product comes from and who’s behind it.

“This is where a retailer earns its keep. We carry close to 600 Canadian-owned brands, many of them small and emerging, and our job is to make them findable – curating shelf space, tagging Canadian-owned products clearly, and training staff to point shoppers to a strong local option. Our data also shows where the work isn’t done: Canadian-owned brands are still only about 4% of our cosmetics sales and 9% of baby, simply because credible local options are thinner there. That’s exactly where retailers and Canadian makers can partner to give shoppers a real choice.”

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Secondhand shopping growth outpacing retail overall: Mastercard

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Mastercard photo
Mastercard photo

Mastercard’s report, “The next era of conscious consumption,” indicates that consumers around the world — especially younger generations — are increasingly choosing resale, rental, repair and reuse models that deliver both value and stack up to their values. 

Ellen Jackowski
Ellen Jackowski

Drawing on insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute, Mastercard’s Global Financial Sentiment Study and leading sustainability research from GlobeScan, the report showcases how these shifts are being driven by a powerful combination of cost consciousness, quality expectations, and a growing appetite for more environmentally conscious options.

“Sustainable living may have taken root among the environmentally conscious, but today it’s gaining momentum by delivering tangible value everyone can feel, from saving money to accessing better, more durable goods and supporting personal health and well-being,” said Ellen Jackowski, chief sustainability officer at Mastercard. “Circular purchasing behaviors are becoming more mainstream for everyday consumers because the tools and infrastructure to inspire, inform and enable them are finally emerging.”

Mastercard said the research shows that while affordability, longevity and brand trust remain primary drivers of purchasing decisions, consumers are still seeking options that align with their personal values.

  • When asked what specific factors consumers consider most important when making purchasing decisions, cost (63%), longevity (52%) and brand trust (45%) lead. These factors are trailed by what a product is made of (31%), the purchase’s environmental impact (25%), and its resale or reuse potential (16%).
  • But when asked to choose between cost and values, 54% of consumers say they still choose brands or products that align with their values, even if they cost more. 
  • Among younger consumers, that commitment is even stronger: Over 60% of both Gen Z and Millennials express an increased willingness to pay a premium for more sustainable products.
  • Among consumers under 30, 61% say they prefer to spend their money on environmentally-friendly products rather than reducing the number of products they buy, indicating an expanding growth opportunity for businesses that can meet these demands.

Mastercard said circularity delivers value and values, creating a growth opportunity for businesses. Consumers are turning to circular models because they can offer affordability, durability and access without asking consumers to sacrifice.     

Mastercard photo
Mastercard photo
  • Out of all of the healthy and sustainable behaviours tracked by GlobeScan, “buying used,” is the one that is increasing over time. Nearly eight in 10 (78%) consumers say that this choice is price-motivated. 
  • Spending behaviour from the Mastercard Economics Institute confirms that secondhand shopping growth is outpacing retail overall by a wide margin: in the top 20 circular shopping economies, secondhand clothing sales increased 28% year over year in 2025 compared to 8% growth in clothing stores.
  • Rentals are also rising among younger generations around the world, as Gen Z and millennials are more than four times more likely than boomers to say they rent products instead of buying new ones, 30% compared to 7%. In the U.S., these generations are 15 times more likely to rent than boomers. According to the Mastercard Economics Institute, U.S. clothing rental spending grew 17.6% year-over-year in 2025.
  • When it comes to the repair economy, 71% of consumers say they would prefer to repair products they already own rather than buying new products to replace them.

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Chick-fil-A announces new restaurant in Orleans to open June 25

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Chick-fil-A Restaurant Exterior
Chick-fil-A Restaurant Exterior

A new Chick-fil-A restaurant is opening in the Orleans community in the Ottawa area on Thursday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m.

The brand selected Natasha Vaux as the local Owner-Operator of the new location at 4280 Innes Rd.

Vaux first experienced the brand on trips to Florida with her husband Pete, where she was impressed by a level of hospitality she never expected from a quick-service restaurant. Enjoying a Deluxe Chicken Sandwich with Freshly Brewed Sweetened Iced Tea became a tradition on every trip to the U.S.

Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator Natasha Vaux
Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator Natasha Vaux

When the company’s first Ottawa-area location opened in 2024, she recalled: “We made sure to join the lineup bright and early to be part of the energy and celebration on opening day. We were all craving that unmistakable Chick-fil-A flavour, and that first bite didn’t disappoint. The Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich is perfectly seasoned and truly in a league of its own.”

Vaux’s vision as a local Owner-Operator is to create a restaurant that stands out for its exceptional hospitality and positive community impact.

“I believe in leading by example, and coaching and guiding Team Members to deliver Chick-fil-A’s signature ‘Second-Mile Service’,” said Vaux, who brings years of Ottawa-based leadership experience from the automotive industry.

“My ambition is to authentically weave Chick-fil-A Orleans Innes Rd into the fabric of our community,” she said. “We want to ensure that the restaurant is not just a place to eat but a partner in local growth and well-being.”

Chick-fil-A Moove-In Party
Chick-fil-A Moove-In Party

A Moove-In Party is scheduled for opening day. Anyone who visits the restaurant on Thursday, June 25 dressed in cow spots can redeem one complimentary entrée or kid’s meal inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru. Whether it’s a full cow suit or a simple cow-spotted accessory, guests of all ages are invited to join the fun.

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New Value Village thrift store opens in North Vancouver

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Value Village North Vancouver
Value Village North Vancouver

Secondhand retailer Value Village has expanded its presence in British Columbia with the opening of its 11th store in the Greater Vancouver Area.

The new store, located at 1420 Fell Ave., the brand’s first in North Vancouver, will offer thousands of one-of-a-kind, pre-loved items from clothing and accessories to housewares, books and more, giving shoppers even more ways to shop sustainably and affordably, said the company.

Spanning more than 16,000 square feet, the store features a bright, organized layout with thousands of items added to the sales floor daily. Located just off Marine Drive on the North Shore of the Burrard Inlet, the store is well-positioned to serve not only North Vancouver residents, but also shoppers from surrounding communities who frequent the North Shore, added the retailer.

“We’re excited to open our new Value Village in North Vancouver and become part of a vibrant community that values sustainability and individuality,” said Kait Michieli, store manager of the new North Vancouver Value Village location. “Our mission is to champion reuse and inspire a future where secondhand is second nature. We look forward to welcoming shoppers from across the North Shore and creating a positive impact together.”

Value Village said the store will provide North Vancouver residents with a convenient place to donate used clothing and housewares to Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver (BBGV). Value Village pays the BBGV for those donations, giving once-loved items a second chance at life in its thrift stores while helping fund vital social services.

Valerie Lambert
Valerie Lambert

“The opening of Value Village’s new North Vancouver store is a moment of impact for our community,” said Valerie Lambert, Executive Director, BBGV. “Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver has operated a clothing donation service in our region for three decades, and our partnership with Value Village has been the cornerstone to funding youth mentorship programs for tens of thousands of children in that time.”

In honour of the grand opening, the Value Village Canada Giving Fund, held within the Private Giving Foundation administered through TD, provided a $5,000 donation to BBGV.  

“Every bag of clothing and household items donated at this location will help continue funding mentoring relationships for youth on the North Shore and beyond. We’re proud to work alongside Value Village and grateful to the North Vancouver community for their continued generosity,” said Lambert.

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Daily Synopsis: Jun 23, 2026

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Retail Insider
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Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 11 articles we published covering key developments in Canadian retail.

RH is set to open a luxury home furnishings store in the former Club Monaco flagship on Toronto’s Bloor Street. The grocery sector is evolving with consumers favoring curated assortments and ethnic supermarkets as shown in shifts in Canadian grocery retail. The Competition Bureau continues its multi-year push against Sobeys’ property controls, examining clauses that may limit competition.

Retail Insider also shared the story of Fran Deck, who passed away at 89, remembered for his stewardship of Fran’s Restaurant in Toronto. Additional coverage includes rising Amazon Prime Day participation in Canada, the federal government’s investment to expand supports for women entrepreneurs, SELLIT9’s funding to grow its recommerce platform, and Rexall’s launch of a weight management program blending virtual care with medication delivery.

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web

VIDEO: Indoor farming push seen as key to Canada’s food security: GoodLeaf CEO

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Andy O'Brien
Andy O'Brien

Strengthening domestic food production is critical to Canada’s long-term food security, particularly as climate challenges and geopolitical pressures disrupt traditional supply chains, according to the head of one of the country’s largest indoor farming companies.

Andy O’Brien, President and CEO of GoodLeaf Farms, says food security in Canada hinges on ensuring consistent, year-round access to fresh produce despite the country’s extreme seasonal swings. He notes that Canada has historically relied heavily on imports from the United States and Mexico due to limited growing conditions during colder months.

O’Brien says recent global and political developments have underscored the need for Canada to take greater control of its food supply by investing in domestic production systems that can operate year-round.

GoodLeaf Farms photo
GoodLeaf Farms photo

Indoor vertical farming is one such solution, but O’Brien acknowledges the high cost of entry remains a major barrier. GoodLeaf has invested roughly $200 million to build large-scale facilities in Guelph, Calgary and Montreal, with ongoing operating costs similar to other manufacturing businesses. He says government support is essential to encourage more players into the sector, pointing to recent federal commitments aimed at accelerating agricultural innovation.

Consumer demand is also shifting. O’Brien says interest in Canadian-grown food has surged, with demand currently exceeding GoodLeaf’s production capacity. He adds that shoppers are increasingly focused on freshness, nutrition and value, not just domestic origin.

The company, which generates about $50 million in annual sales and is growing rapidly, plans to invest more than $25 million to expand output at existing sites, with additional large-scale expansion expected in the coming years.

O’Brien says indoor farming allows for significantly faster crop cycles and more efficient production, helping position the sector as a key part of Canada’s future food system.

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Most small businesses worry higher fuel costs could cool summer tourism season: CFIB

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper Park Lodge

A majority (84%) of small businesses are concerned that higher fuel costs could negatively affect the summer tourism season, according to new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Ryan Mallough
Ryan Mallough

“Fuel costs have been squeezing small businesses from all sides: at the pump, across their supply chains and in their customers’ wallets. The last thing any of them need is a quiet summer,” said Ryan Mallough, CFIB’s vice-president of legislative affairs.

“That’s exactly why we’re encouraging Canadians to get out and explore their communities this summer. Fuel prices may put a dampener on bigger travel plans, but local tourism is a great opportunity for small businesses and their communities.”

To help support local businesses and encourage local shopping this summer, CFIB, which is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region, is bringing back its #SmallBusinessEveryDay Big Thank You Contest from June 29 to July 13.

The contest invites Canadians to thank their favourite small businesses for the role they play in their communities. The Big Thank You Contest is presented by CFIB in partnership with Chase Payment Solutions, with Interac as prize sponsor. Small business supporters can enter two weekly draws by visiting SmallBusinessEveryDay.ca and leaving a thank you message to their favourite small Canadian business.

Each week, one supporter and the business they thanked will be drawn as winners. The supporter will receive a $1,500 cash prize to spend locally. The business will receive $4,000 and a free one-year CFIB membership. A $4,000 bonus prize will go to the business with the most nominations at the end of the contest, courtesy of Interac, explained the CFIB.

“Sixty-six cents of every dollar spent local, stays local,” said Mallough. “If you have a favourite spot, now is a great time to show them some love and say thank you for all they do; it’s not just the business that benefits, it’s the whole community.”

To help businesses participate, CFIB has created free digital toolkits, including printable posters and customizable social images, to promote the contest and shopping local.

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RioCan announces new grocery, fitness, and apparel tenants for HBC space at Georgian Mall in Barrie

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Georgian Mall in Barrie. Photo: RioCan

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust says it will redevelop the former Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) space at Georgian Mall with the addition of three new tenants: Longo’s, GYMVMT by GoodLife Fitness, and Mark’s.

The introduction of a national grocer, leading fitness operator, and trusted Canadian apparel and workwear brand will provide shoppers with greater convenience and choice while further enhancing Georgian Mall’s role as a community focused destination anchored in everyday needs, said RioCan.

Moshe Batalion
Moshe Batalion

“As Barrie continues to grow, we are committed to ensuring that Georgian Mall reflects the needs of the community. The additions of Longo’s, GYMVMT Fitness Club, and Mark’s represents an important evolution of the property,” said Moshe Batalion, Vice President, National Leasing, RioCan.

“Together, these brands will bring sought-after services and everyday essentials to local residents, making Georgian Mall an even more convenient destination for shopping, wellness, and daily life.”

The new tenants are expected to open in 2027, with a temporary Mark’s location opening in advance of the permanent store, said RioCan.

Georgian Mall is the largest enclosed shopping centre in Barrie and the greater Simcoe County area. The shopping centre is conveniently located at Bayfield St and Livingstone St, just minutes from Highway 400 and easily accessible by Barrie Transit with two bus stops located on-site.

RioCan described Longo’s as apremium grocery retailer known for high-quality fresh food, prepared meals, and exceptional customer service. It said GYMVMT Fitness Club is one of Canada’s leading fitness operators, GoodLife Fitness, bringing expanded health and wellness offerings to Georgian Mall. And Mark’s is an iconic Canadian retailer offering casual apparel, footwear, and workwear.

As at March 31, RioCan’s portfolio comprised of 167 properties with an aggregate net leasable area of approximately 32 million square feet (at RioCan’s interest).

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VIDEO: Amazon Prime Day 2026 expected to draw Canadian shoppers despite affordability pressures: Bruce Winder

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Kindel Media photo
Kindel Media photo

Canadians are expected to turn out in large numbers for this year’s Amazon Prime Day event, even as household budgets remain under strain, says retail analyst Bruce Winder.

Winder points to industry estimates suggesting the four-day sales period could generate roughly $26 billion in the United States. Scaled to Canada, that could translate into several billion dollars in spending, driven by deep discounts across dozens of product categories.

He says the event arrives at a time when consumers are grappling with elevated living costs, including higher fuel prices and persistent food inflation. Despite those pressures, Winder expects strong participation, as shoppers seek out savings on both essential goods and discretionary items.

According to Winder, Canadian consumers have increasingly shifted spending habits in response to economic conditions, cutting back on non-essential purchases while relying more heavily on promotions and loyalty programs to stretch their budgets. Retailers have responded with more aggressive pricing strategies and expanded partnerships aimed at boosting customer engagement and repeat spending.

He notes that demand for discounts has also reshaped grocery shopping behaviour, with more consumers opting for private-label products, discount banners and frozen foods as a way to manage costs.

Prime Day’s continued growth reflects a broader trend toward value-driven shopping, Winder says, with the event offering significant markdowns, including steep reductions on Amazon-branded devices. He adds that the timing aligns with seasonal spending needs, such as back-to-school purchases, further supporting demand.

Beyond pricing, Winder attributes Amazon’s enduring appeal to convenience, including fast delivery and simplified purchasing tools, which have broadened its reach across age groups and income levels.

He says the combination of value and ease of use continues to reshape how Canadians shop, particularly during major promotional events.

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