Fortinos

Fortinos is a Canadian supermarket chain that was founded in Hamilton, Ontario. It operates 24 stores across the western Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. It is owned by Loblaw Companies Limited.

History
In 1961, Giovanni (John) Fortino, a steelworker and immigrant from Cosenza, Calabria, Italy, opened his first Fortinos store in lower Hamilton, Ontario, at King St. E. and Glendale Ave. 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 is a European-style 'townsquare' shopping concept (which is experienced in new-store layout (i.e. Rexdale and Vaughan)) in which the store is set like a European Street with Bakeshoppe, cheese shoppe, Butchers, Flower Shoppe, etc.; and in some locations allowing the customer to pay in each of those departments. The stores also feature Fortinos Bistro Cafes serving hot Italiano Coffee, baked goods, and fresh- made-to-order wraps and soups. Fortinos slogan is "Your Supermarket with a Heart".

Fortinos became a part of Loblaw Companies Limited in 1988, but still without the No Name Brand (yellow packages) 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. In 2012 a memorial to the founder was erected at the Mall Road store in Hamilton.

Locations
24 locations: