"Certainly no one is more disappointed than us to see years of work come to an end," said Ira Pusateri in an Instagram post from the high-end grocery store that shares her namesake. The statement came a week after Pusateri's Fine Foods — a beloved Toronto grocery store chain — filed assignments in bankruptcy for its Bayview Village, Little Italy, and Kitchen locations.
According to file documents submitted last Tuesday, among the locations being closed are a planned location set for Little Italy and the "Kitchen location," located in North York, which supplied the various Pusateri’s locations with in-house branded products. The appointed licensed insolvency trustee for the Pusateri's locations isAlbert Gelman Inc.
The store, which opened its first location in 1963, is known for its top quality groceries, pre-made foods, and freshly baked bread and pastries. Back in March, the store also closed its swanky, marble-floored Yorkville location after 20 years of operation.
Photo via Instagram/@pusaterisfoods
In good news for fans of the boutique chain, the flagship grocery store on Avenue Road will remain open, along with the Eaton Centre Saks Food Hall location. "We are still here, and it’s business as usual at Avenue Road," said Pusateri on Instagram.
Of the enterprise's consolidation to its flagship location, Pusateri said, "we know it to be a necessary step to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of our brand so we keep all our attention and focus on serving you, our customers, with the best products and service around."
"We understand this change is disappointing news," said Pusateri in her statement. "Yet through it all, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring support from our team, customers, vendors, and the community at large through these changes."
