Toronto neighbourhood getting much-needed grocery store after years of vacancy

One Toronto neighbourhood that’s been classified as a “food desert” by some locals is getting a new grocery store — however, not everyone seems to be happy with the brand that’s taking over. 

The term — which has been applied to Scarborough’s Cliffcrest community by some — describes an area where residents’ access to affordable and healthy options is restricted or nonexistent due to the lack of grocery stores within a convenient travelling distance.  

After years of vacancy, the shopping centre at the heart of the community, Cliffcrest Plaza, is gearing up to welcome a small format No Frills location. The 72,000-square-foot plaza, located on the southeast corner of Kingston Road and McCowan Road, has served the Scarborough community for over 50 years. 

The shopping centre previously included a Dominion grocery store when it first opened up in the 1960s, and eventually, a Foodland supermarket, which shuttered its doors in 2008. 

At the time, former Ward 36 (Scarborough Southwest) Councillor Brian Ashton said the Foodland closure had left the community “stunned and abandoned,” adding that many 1950s and 1960s “planned communities have retail plazas at their heart.” 

The plaza is now home to a Shoppers Drug Mart, CIBC and Scotiabank branches, Dollarama, LCBO, a Toronto Public Library branch, a dental office, Circle K, Global Pet Foods, as well as a Canada Post office. 

Since then, community members have long been anticipating a supermarket return to Cliffcrest Plaza, and that day is (almost) around the corner.

Rumours of a No Frills opening swirled on local Facebook pages this month, where many rejoiced at the news of a supermarket finally popping up within walking distance for many. 

“Everyone has been crying out for another grocery store in this location. One for convenience, easy to walk to for seniors or those who don’t drive. Finally getting one and people are complaining about the brand…No Frills. I guess you can’t please everyone. It could be worse, no grocery store at all. Just saying,” one resident wrote. 

“At last it’s no longer a food desert. Good for the neighbourhood,” another local said. 

“It will be good for that plaza. That also is a good indicator that the plaza won’t go anywhere anytime soon (to condos) grocery stores tend to take on long leases,” one comment reads. 

Back in 2016, Canadian real estate developer First Capital purchased the 6.9 acres of land on which the plaza is nestled for a staggering $31 million. blogTO reached out to First Capital for more information regarding the future of the plaza, however, the developer did not have any comment to share at this time. 

Despite a new option for food shopping in the neighbourhood, others pointed out that there is another existing No Frills location just over two kilometres away at 2471 Kingston Rd.

“It would have been great if it was an independent company instead! Something different for the neighbourhood,” one resident wrote. 

“I say no to No Frills. I feel like this chain is monopolizing the area. Would live a Farm Boy or even a Sobey’s,” another person said. 

Loblaw Companies Ltd. confirmed to blogTO that the No Frills location will be “opening in 2025,” although they did not share any further details.