TnT Supermarket

T&T Supermarket...or is it TnT?

This supermarket is touted as the best Asian supermarket chain in the GTA and especially Toronto. The chain was started in 1993 in Burnaby British Columbia where the first T&T store was open. The chain of stores can be seen all over Canada in major centers’. There is even a store at the West Edmonton Mall, one of the largest malls in North America. The Chain experienced rapid expansion and now boasts 8 stores in both the Metro Vancouver Area and the Greater Toronto Area. The store has become a constant in Asian grocery shopping but as also expanded to include items used also my people in the Caribbean.  The store has a somewhat typical grocery store layout with noticeable exceptions. 

The store location I frequent is the location on Steeles Ave; this location is called the Milliken store. This store as a unique location in that it is located at the boarder of Scarborough (Toronto) and Markham, the location I think is perfect planning and not by accident that the store is located in an area that is largely population by Asians.  I do not have a particular time to visit this store.  Today I am here visiting the store to complete this project but I am also here to purchase items I need for by household shopping. Today I am here in the evening just after 6 pm. Items are being re-stocked and in the fresh produce section store employees are putting fresh vegetables out. What is interesting about this is that unlike regular grocery stores that I visit I can see the items being prepared for display in that they are not just taken out of the boxes and packaging they arrived in they are being inspected to remove parts that might be considered no longer good.

Display & Packaging

Items are displayed very similarly to regular grocery stores in pre-packaged format and self-serve pick and bag displays. The store carries fresh produce from local area when in season but also imported items.

The produce section I consider just one aspect of the great reasons I go to this store. The isles in this supermarket are packed with items from the other side of the world and often that is exactly why customers are in the store. They are there because they know they can find the ingredients they need for their individual cultural or traditional cuisine.  Globalization in action one of the topics mentioned in the Boudreau, Keil and Young book: Changing Toronto, Governing Urban Neoliberalism. 

Meats, Fish and Poultry

One of the attractions of this Chain of stores is that just like traditional grocery stores you can find meats, fish and poultry already pre-packaged, however you can also get items at the meat counter specifically to your liking. There are also live fish and seafood being sold in Tanks where you make your own selections. 

The Hot & Cold Delhi

The store gets tons of reviews and visitors not just for being an Asian grocery store but also for its offering of traditionally prepared Chinese dishes available hot or cold daily.

the pictures above show some of the items available daily which range from dim sum , steamed buns, and congee to name a few.

The international presence of products the store carries is a testament to the clients it services. This is a true reflection of “The city of difference where ethnic diversity into a marketable commodity in the interurban competition” is present.