One of Ontario’s most recognizable family-owned grocery brands is marking a major milestone this weekend as Longo’s celebrates 70 years in business with province-wide festivities, new store openings, and ambitious plans for future growth across southern Ontario.
What began in 1956 as a modest neighbourhood fruit market in Toronto has grown into one of Ontario’s most respected grocery chains, operating 43 locations across the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario while maintaining the family-oriented values that helped build the brand over seven decades.
To commemorate the anniversary, all Longo’s locations across Ontario will host special celebrations on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 10 a.m., including community-specific festivities, customer appreciation events, special promotions, and ceremonial cake-cutting celebrations scheduled for 11 a.m.
Longo’s President Deb Craven said the anniversary represents more than just a business achievement — it reflects decades of trust, service, and community relationships built with Ontario families.
Founded by brothers Tommy, Joe, and Gus Longo as Toronto’s Broadway Fruit Market, the company quickly earned a reputation for fresh products, personalized service, and strong community connections. Over the years, Longo’s expanded steadily across Ontario while adapting to changing shopping habits and consumer expectations.
Today, the chain operates stores throughout Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Woodbridge, Kitchener, Guelph, Ancaster, Oshawa and several other Ontario communities, with two additional locations now set to further expand its footprint.
On June 24, Longo’s will officially open its first-ever Niagara Region location in Welland at 968 Niagara Street. Another new store is scheduled to open this fall in King City at 1700 King Road, bringing the company’s total number of Ontario stores to 45.
Both new locations are expected to feature Longo’s signature premium grocery experience along with Loft Cooking Schools and in-store Starbucks cafés.
Craven described the expansion into Niagara Region as an exciting opportunity for the company to introduce the Longo’s experience to new communities.
“That’s an area that we’re really excited about,” she said, noting that customer response in Niagara has already been overwhelmingly positive.
The grocery chain has built its reputation not only on fresh food and customer service but also on its long-standing commitment to supporting local farmers, Ontario suppliers, and community partnerships.
Longo’s leadership says maintaining strong relationships with customers has remained central to the company’s philosophy despite decades of growth and modernization.
Executive Chair Anthony Longo said the company’s success continues to be driven by the same principles established by the Longo family generations ago.
“Seventy years is an incredible milestone to achieve and I feel very proud,” Longo said in a company release.
“While we continue to grow and evolve, we remain grounded in the values that have defined us from the very beginning: a commitment to quality, a dedication to community and a genuine care for the families we serve.”
The anniversary celebration also comes during a period of strong industry recognition for the grocery chain.
Longo’s was recently ranked the No. 1 grocery retailer in Ontario in the 2026 WOW Study conducted by Leger in partnership with the Retail Council of Canada. The large-scale consumer study surveyed more than 13,000 Ontario residents regarding their in-store shopping experiences across 153 retailers.
Longo’s edged out several major competitors, including Fortinos, to capture the top spot.
Industry observers say the company’s success has been fueled by its ability to balance modern retail innovation with a strong community-focused identity.
Longo’s was also considered an early innovator in grocery delivery services, introducing home delivery shortly after opening its original store in the 1950s. Years later, the company strengthened its digital presence further through the acquisition of Grocery Gateway in 2004, long before online grocery shopping became mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic.