Chef Mark McEwan’s newest store redefines urban grocer

The McEwan Group is about to change how the downtown crowd does their grocery shopping.

Owner celebrity chef Mark McEwan, the store called McEwan  opened this second store on July 15 under the TD Tower along the P.A.T.H.–Toronto’s underground walkway linking 30km of shopping, services and entertainment.

The grocer will serve up 6,000 square feet of fresh, grab & go gourmet plus groceries for every meal of the day. The fast-growing home meal replacement segment is an estimated  $2.4-billion market in Canada.

“We’re bringing high-quality, chef-driven prepared food to the downtown core. Our restaurant-style approach is fresh, spontaneous and has nothing to do with traditional retail,” said Mark McEwan. McEwan is one of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocer’s newest members.

Open Monday to Friday, McEwan will welcome morning commuters with authentic Italian coffee and espresso, and upscale items like fresh European pastries, quiches, waffles and yogurt parfaits plus gourmet breakfast sandwiches (even a breakfast pizza).

Lunch-goers can choose from six freshly made soup features, a customizable Panini station, a 15-foot salad bar, and an impressive 32-foot chef’s hot table.

Fitting for downtown, McEwan’s new location will also feature a food-truck-inspired pop-up menu, with exciting daily features like gourmet tacos, poutine, and banh mi. “We want to serve the best of everything in one place. We’re coming in with guns blazing.” Executive Chef Shen Ousmand, McEwan.

As well, downtown shoppers can choose from a sprawling selection of freshly prepared meats like braised short ribs, pulled pork, whole chicken, lamb shank, rabbit, and a range of fresh seafood; paired with an equally large selection of gourmet sides and fresh vegetables.

The new location will also feature hundreds of pantry items including homemade sauces, relishes and chutneys, as well as McEwan’s own marinades, oils and pasta sauces. McEwan is so much more than a gourmet grocery store. From traditional chicken tikka masala to lobster ravioli to Thai shrimp curry, Executive Chef Ousmand and his team are offering an unmatched selection of authentically prepared cuisine from around the world.

Along with retail, McEwan offers catering services.

Check out the photo gallery above; photography by Jeffrey Chan