Calgary chain Lina’s is building a unique grocery store and dining establishment in the Inglewood neighbourhood based on the concept of an Italian public square or marketplace.
The concept, which is opening soon, is the fourth location for Lina’s Italian Market in Calgary.
Lina’s Italian Piazza will open in 15,000 square feet of space previously occupied by Bite Grocer in the Atlantic Avenue Art Block Building in the trendy and vibrant inner-city community.
Image: Lina’s Italian Piazza 
Image: Lina’s Italian Piazza
Matthew Rai, General Manager of Lina’s said the new Lina’s concept is designed to be the new community spot for locals to gather and eat or grab and go for all things Italia.
He said the new Inglewood location will include a LavAzza Organic Tierra Cafe, a pizzeria and a dining area, a salumeria, a bakery, gelato, a prosciutto tasting area, Italian brunch, catering services and of course specialty Italian groceries.
The location also includes underground parking.
“As we’re growing we’re going to be able to make food more affordable for the Calgary market. So you’re actually going to see better pricing and more food choices from the Eurozone but also encourage our local producers to start with us and we can be a launch pad for local and Canadian products,” said Rai.
“We want to create a cultural hub . . . We want to introduce the Italian culture starting with the bread, starting with cheese, starting with prosciutto. Our goal is just to incorporate Italian culture back into Inglewood.”
Each of Lina’s locations in Calgary reflect the communities where they are located with product selection catered to that particular area.
Each of Lina’s current three locations in Calgary reflects the communities where they are located with product selection catered to that particular area – Lina’s Italian Market, 2202 Centre St. NE; Lina’s Italian Supermercato, #100, 4916 130th Ave SE; Lina’s Italian Mercato, 5108 Elbow Drive SW.
The brand prides itself on being a local business that supports the community.
“A community is like a big family, and Lina’s Italian Market is proud to be a part of that family. We believe in supporting our community and helping it thrive, whether that means providing delicious, high-quality food, or simply being a friendly and welcoming place for people to gather,” said Rai. “As an Italian market, we take great pride in offering a wide variety of authentic Italian products, from fresh pasta and olive oil to cured meats and cheeses. We believe that these traditional foods are an important part of our cultural heritage and are delighted to share them with our community.
“But Lina’s Italian Market is more than just a place to shop for groceries. It’s a place where people can come together to share a meal, talk about their day, or catch up on the latest news. We believe that a strong community is built on connections like these, and we’re honored to be a part of it. Our team is committed to giving back to the community by supporting local organizations and charities that make a positive impact in the life of our community. At Lina’s Italian Market, we’re not just in the business of selling food, we’re in the business of building connections and making our community a better place to live.
“Overall, Lina’s Italian Market is deeply committed to the well-being and growth of our community and we will always strive to be a valuable resource and hub of connection.”
Image: Lina’s Italian Piazza 
Image: Lina’s Italian Piazza
The new Inglewood location will offer catering services for all occasions. It will include a traditional bakery with a wide variety of products and feature gelato products from Mario’s Gelati.
One of the pillars of the Calgary-based Lina’s business is importing fine food and products from Italy.
But the grocery store chain also is committed to supporting and promoting local vendors and providing them with a place where they can sell their products.
“Our grocery will have all our specialty items but as we’re growing we’re going to be able to make food more affordable for the Calgary market. So you’re actually going to see better pricing and more food choices from the Eurozone but also we’re going to encourage our local producers to start with us as we can be a launch pad for local and Canadian products,” said Rai.
“I don’t think a lot of people know this about us but we’ve incubated a lot of local products that have gone national or received traction. A few of them would be North Water, Secret Foods.”
North Water is a water beverage that uses alkaline water sourced from Rocky Mountain springs and contained in recyclable aluminum bottles.
Secret Foods tahini sauce was created with the aim of bringing to life a clean, all-natural, plant-based alternative to traditional condiments.
The new location will also have a prosciutto bar.
