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.
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.