This FreshCo used to be a Sobeys -- Markham's only Sobeys. Well over a decade ago, I used to shop at this Sobeys often. I loved it. The store was open 24 hours a day and had everything that I wanted.
It shut down. I was sad. I sought other places to get groceries.
The hours were the best. I remember shopping here after the company Christmas party at around 1 am. I was the fanciest person wearing a chiffon skirt, shiny blouse, and a long coat in the store. I also pumped gas in that outfit afterwards. Ah, memories.
Anyway, I don't shop at FreshCo often. There's one on my old route from the office in Etobicoke that I'd drop by once in a blue moon. A few weeks ago, just before Easter, I decided to check this FreshCo location out. I'm glad that I did.
I am so used to getting a cart without requiring a coin deposit that I was shocked to see that you needed a quarter to unlock it. I don't carry change with me during this pandemic. Luckily, there was a nice man with a plastic green tool that simulated a coin. He inserted it into the coin slot of my cart and it was unlocked from the one ahead of mine. Yay! Such an angel. I thanked him and carried on.
The produce is in pretty decent shape here. The celery and melons looked fresh and pristine. I got a bag of avocados that were perfect. I also got carrots, mushrooms, and onions. I was happy.
The bread section is also great. Cinnabon and Sun-Maid breads were there. I liked the brioche baguettes that looked fancy.
My main reason for dropping by this store was for a couple of items to make my Easter meal: stuffing and a turkey. The best prices were at FreshCo and both were in stock.
I love Stove Top stuffing. It's a great supermarket shortcut. I aad finely chopped mushrooms, onions, and celery to it. I love it so much that it disappears fast.
At the beginning of this pandemic, only huge turkeys were available, and I'm not talking about some of my colleagues. I'm glad that 5 to 7 kg turkeys are available these days. It's plenty for me and my parents to devour. I got a Butterball and was happy.
After getting my main list of items done, it was time to check out the rest of the supermarket. The frozen foods are impressive. I have never seen so many variations of Jamaican patties, including vegan ones. I bought a box of baked beef ones and they were yummy.
The other highlight was the assortment of paratha and naan available. I stood in front of this fridge section for the longest time trying to decide which flavour I wanted. I settled for the onion paratha. As an aside, they pan-fry nicely and quickly. They are flaky and so good.
I came back recently and got a box of empanadas. They were excellent, too.
Both times, I had no difficulties at the checkout. Both women helping me out were nice. I tapped with my debit card and my groceries were all mine.
You do need to either bring your own bags or get a free box from the pile before you exit the store. I had bags during my first visit. I had a handful of items during my second visit, so I carried them to my car and put them in a reusable bag.
I like this FreshCo. It's clean. Prices are cheap. The quality is decent. The only weird thing is the quarter deposit to get a cart. I need to find one of those coin contraptions that the nice man had.
There was plenty of parking both times that I was there. I backed into my spots both times.
I'll be back. I'll likely try every paratha and patty flavour that this store offers.
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