Longo's
Longo's, formally Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc., is a prominent Canadian supermarket chain and grocery delivery service operating primarily in Southern Ontario. Founded in 1956 by Italian immigrant brothers Joe, Tommy, and Gus Longo, the company has grown from a single fruit market into a regional institution known for its focus on fresh food and family values. Controlled by Empire Company, the parent of Sobeys, in partnership with the founding family, Longo's operates dozens of stores, mainly in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The chain is a significant employer and a familiar destination for shoppers seeking quality produce, prepared foods, and a curated grocery experience.
Founding and early expansion
The Longo's story began with the immigration of the Longo brothers from Termini Imerese, Sicily, to Canada in 1951. Five years later, in 1956, Joe, Tommy, and Gus Longo established their first store at the intersection of Yonge Street and Castlefield Avenue in Toronto. This original location, named Broadway Fruit Market, was a modest 139 square metre operation staffed by eight family members. Following the death of their father in 1961, the family moved the business to a location in East York. The brothers later opened a second store in the Malton area, at the corner of Airport and Derry Roads. This location demonstrated the family's resilience when, after a massive gas explosion devastated many neighbouring businesses in 1969, the Longo's cleaned up and reopened within days.
Growth and evolution
In 1971, the family sold their original Toronto store to concentrate on expanding their Malton operations, marking a strategic shift in their business focus. A significant generational transition occurred in 1998 when Anthony Longo, Tommy's son, became president of the company. The chain expanded its footprint and format variety, opening several smaller-format stores under the name The Market by Longo's in downtown and midtown Toronto. A major milestone was the opening of a 4,500 square metre flagship store at Maple Leaf Square in downtown Toronto. The company also ventured into digital commerce early, acquiring the online grocery retailer Grocery Gateway in 2004.
Corporate structure and ownership
For decades, Longo's operated as a privately held, family-run business. This changed significantly in March 2021 when Empire Company, the parent corporation of national grocer Sobeys, announced it would purchase a 51 percent stake in Longo's and its Grocery Gateway business for 357 million dollars. The deal, which closed in May 2021, included provisions for Empire's share to potentially increase in future years. A key condition of the sale was that the Longo's stores and Grocery Gateway would continue to be led by CEO Anthony Longo, ensuring family leadership remained in place. The transaction was subject to review by Canada's Competition Bureau before finalization.
Store network and operations
As of 2026, Longo's operates 43 locations. Its store network is concentrated in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, with its southwesternmost location in Ancaster, which opened in September 2016, representing its first foray into Hamilton. The chain employs more than 5,000 people across its operations. Longo's has received recognition for its management, appearing on the Financial Post's list of Canada's Top 50 privately managed companies for nine consecutive years from 2000 to 2008, where it achieved platinum status. The company publishes a free seasonal publication called Experience Magazine, which offers recipes and food inspiration to customers.
E-commerce and delivery services
Longo's entry into e-commerce began with its 2004 acquisition of Grocery Gateway, an established online grocery retailer. Following Empire Company's investment in 2021, the delivery service was initially folded under the Longo's banner, operating for a time as Longo's delivered by Grocery Gateway. At the time of the sale, the company indicated the delivery operation would remain a standalone business but might collaborate with Sobeys' Voilà delivery brand. This integration progressed, and in July 2023, Empire announced it was sunsetting the Longo's and Grocery Gateway delivery service. Customers were gradually redirected to the Voilà platform, with additional Longo's private label products becoming available through that service.
Recent developments and 70th anniversary
The company is marking a significant milestone in 2026, celebrating seventy years in business since its founding in 1956. Promotional materials highlight seventy years of freshness and family standards. The anniversary has been accompanied by a 25,000 dollar contest for customers as part of the celebrations. The company continues to operate its core retail supermarket business across Southern Ontario under the majority ownership of Empire Company and the day-to-day leadership of the Longo family.
Founding family
The Longo brothers, who built the business from a single fruit market, have all passed away. Joe Longo Sr. died on September 15, 2008, at the age of 70. Tommy Longo, father of current CEO Anthony Longo, died on January 30, 2011, at the age of 76. Their legacy continues through the family's ongoing involvement in the company's leadership and the sustained focus on the values of quality and service they established.
Questions about Longo's
When was Longo's founded and by whom?
Longo's was founded in 1956 by Italian immigrant brothers Joe, Tommy and Gus Longo. They immigrated to Canada in 1951 from Termini Imerese, Sicily. Their first store was established at the intersection of Yonge Street and Castlefield Avenue in Toronto. It was originally named Broadway Fruit Market.
How many stores does Longo's operate?
Longo's owns and operates 36 stores, mostly in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. This includes several smaller format The Market by Longo's stores in downtown and midtown Toronto. The company also opened a flagship store at Maple Leaf Square in downtown Toronto. There are 43 locations in total.
What is Grocery Gateway and how is it related to Longo's?
Grocery Gateway is an online grocery retailer that Longo's acquired in 2004. In March 2021, Empire Company purchased a 51 percent stake in Longo's and its Grocery Gateway business. The delivery service was later folded under the Longo's banner. In July 2023, Empire announced it was sunsetting the Longo's and Grocery Gateway delivery service in favour of Voilà.
Who owns Longo's?
Longo's is controlled by Sobeys parent Empire Company in partnership with the founding Longo family. In May 2021, Empire bought a 51 percent stake in Longo's and its Grocery Gateway business for 357 million dollars. The deal included a clause allowing Sobeys' share to increase in future years. The stores continue to be led by CEO Anthony Longo.
How many people does Longo's employ?
Longo's employs more than 5,000 people. For nine consecutive years from 2000 to 2008, it was named one of Canada's Top 50 privately managed companies by the Financial Post newspaper. During that period it achieved platinum status. The company is a significant employer in the Southern Ontario area.
Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.
