BusinessNEWS

Second Big Carrot opens to warm community welcome

I LOVE CARROTS: A fan gives the store’s mascot a hug during the grand opening on June 21.

The long wait for Toronto’s second Big Carrot to open obviously did not discourage potential patrons as crowds showed up for the store’s launch in the Upper Beaches on June 21.

They’d been waiting for this day for almost a year, as the Big Carrot Beach Community Market was announced in 2016 as opening in 2017.

The new worker-owned natural food market is on the ground level of The Southwood condominium development recently built at the southeast corner of Kingston Road and Southwood Drive (called Main Street north of Kingston).

It opened with a ribbon-cutting, live music, giveaways and presentation of a $10,000 cheque from big Carrot for the Neighbourhood Group to help develop the local community.

The original Big Carrot is still thriving as part of the Carrot Common, a collection of alternative stores and refreshment shops on Danforth Avenue, near Coxwell subway station.

It’s been in business since 1983, offering fresh produce, groceries, personal care products and holistic medicines, as well as takeout food and beverages from its juice bars and kitchen.

The new location on Southwood offers similar products and services, although the theme colours have changed from the traditional orange to purple to reflect new beginnings, the company said in a press release.

The store is 6,000 square feet and 19 free parking space are available underground for customers for up to 45 minutes.

Big Carrot inside
TRAFFIC JAM IN AISLE FOUR: Visitors flocked into the new store after it was opened at 10 a.m.