Growing up just north, Bayview Village was our weekend go-to. Once an outdoor mall with a Kmart, the now tony mall is undergoing yet another massive makeover. The sprawling northern parking lots are wisely being revamped for housing, soaring condos of all sizes. With new immediate neighbours readying themselves for a move-in, the interior of the mall is also adding some upgrades, including a brand-new McEwan Fine Foods.
Step Inside the Future of Fancy Food – McEwan Fine Foods Unveils Plans for New Location at Bayview Village
A premium grocer with seriously good prepared food makes one thing clear: at BV, luxury isn’t saved for special occasions. Pusateri’s Fine Foods abruptly shuttered its Bayview Village location in August 2024, leaving shoppers surprised, staff unemployed, and a pretty big hole in the centre’s food scene. The store had reportedly been one of Pusateri’s strongest locations by sales, making the closure all the more unexpected. Days later came reports of bankruptcy proceedings involving parts of the business, as the grocer faced a broader wave of closures.
That left the south-east corner prime for redevelopment. With the LCBO directly across from McEwan Fine Foods, this section of the mall is like an express tunnel to gourmet ingredients and bon vivant accents. Gravitating back to this culinary corner will no doubt function as an alternative to St Lawrence Market treks.
Fresh, ready-to-eat options will be woven throughout the store, with chef-prepared food made throughout the day. The new sandwich and salad counter will offer made-to-order meals using premium ingredients, while the expanded international hot table brings flavours from around the world. Seasonal features will add variety for regular shoppers, and a dedicated Omakase-to-Go counter will further expand the Japanese selection.
McEwan Fine Foods is helmed by Canadian Chef and TV personality Mark McEwan. Known for decades for his elegant restaurants and cookbooks, Mark is tapped routinely for television appearances and is one of Canada’s best-known chefs.
Bye Bye Bloor Street, Hello Bayview Avenue
This is not Mr McEwan’s first rodeo. Opening his first grocery emporium in the early 2010’s, I first met him on my way down to George Brown College for my food photography course. He was buzzing around his ballroom, inspecting every case and ensuring the place was gleaming. He’s a seasoned pro, which was why the closure of his location at Yonge and Bloor came as such a surprise.
But that was the end of 2021. You can’t place too much stock in anything from this murky period. Bayview Village, with its established neighbourhoods and countless private schools, is an infinity loop of fortune. The chicest Santas. The fanciest mall bathrooms. Marble, gold, it’s all in the fold. Adding McEwan Fine Foods seems like a natural extension of the mall.
The 9,000+ square feet space is mixing with reputable restaurants like Il Fornello, Tabule and Parcheggio; don’t overlook this haute pocket on your next food binge.
Look for McEwan Fine Foods to open in early 2027.
All images by Libby Roach.