Richard P. Peralta Business
T&T Supermarket Announces Three New Canadian Stores for 2026, Including Ontario’s Largest Location

Major Expansion to Bring New Flagship Store to North York

T&T Supermarket, Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, is preparing to make a significant expansion in 2026 with the opening of three new stores across the country—one in Burnaby, B.C., one in Mississauga, Ont., and a new flagship location in North York that will become the largest T&T in Ontario. The move reflects the company’s continued national growth and increasing demand for Asian food products and prepared meals.

The highly anticipated North York location, set to open in fall 2026, will occupy the former Loblaws space inside Empress Walk Shopping Mall at 5090 Yonge Street. The store will span 66,000 square feet, making it the chain’s most extensive footprint in Ontario and a major anchor for the busy Yonge-Sheppard corridor.

Why Loblaws Is Replacing One of Its Own Stores With T&T

Parent Company Opts for Strategic Rebrand

The new T&T location will take over a Loblaws grocery store that closed its doors on October 26. In a statement provided to this publication, Loblaw Companies Limited—T&T’s parent company since acquiring the brand in 2009—explained the decision as part of its ongoing strategy to align store offerings with shifting community demographics and customer demand.

“We regularly review our business to ensure we have the right stores to best serve our communities, and after careful consideration, we believe a T&T Supermarket will be a great fit for this neighbourhood,” Loblaw said. The company noted that North York’s diverse and growing population, along with rising customer interest in specialized Asian groceries and cuisine, made the transition a logical next step.

The Empress Walk mall, situated in one of Toronto’s busiest transit hubs, attracts a high volume of shoppers and residents, many of whom have long expressed a desire for expanded cultural food options in the area.

A Look Inside Ontario’s Biggest T&T Supermarket

Expanded Food Halls and New Culinary Offerings

The 66,000-square-foot North York store is expected to feature one of T&T’s most elaborate food halls to date. According to the company’s announcement, customers can expect an extensive self-serve hot food bar showcasing a rotating selection of authentic Asian dishes.

T&T Kitchen, the chain’s signature prepared-food counter, will offer many of its well-loved specialties, including:

  • Peking Duck carved fresh on-site

  • Papa Chicken, T&T’s popular Taiwanese-style fried chicken

  • Live barbecue stations for roasted pork belly, char siu, and other Cantonese BBQ favourites

  • Handcrafted sushi prepared daily

  • Street-food favourites such as Chinese crepes (jianbing) and Taiwanese sticky rice rolls

The expansion of these food offerings reflects T&T’s steady evolution from a traditional supermarket to a full culinary destination known for fresh meals, specialty imports, and bakery items unique to the chain.

A Modern Shopping Experience With Cultural Roots

Renderings released by T&T show a spacious, contemporary design for the new North York store, complete with modern décor, bright lighting, and an enhanced produce section featuring imported fruits and vegetables not typically found in mainstream grocery chains. The layout will also include expanded sections for seafood, frozen foods, snacks, pantry staples, and household essentials catering to a wide range of Asian cultures.

T&T has built a strong reputation for its seafood counters, particularly its tanks of live fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. The new location is expected to feature an upgraded seafood department with a larger selection of live and fresh offerings.

Additional Stores Planned for Mississauga and Burnaby

Mississauga Set for Another T&T Location

Mississauga, a longstanding stronghold for T&T with multiple high-traffic stores, will welcome another location in 2026. The company has not yet announced the exact address, but the confirmation aligns with the city’s booming population growth and increasing cultural diversity. Mississauga’s Central Parkway T&T—one of the brand’s most visited stores—has been a widespread success, underscoring the region’s demand for expanded Asian grocery options.

New Store Coming to Burnaby, B.C.

T&T will also open a new store in Burnaby, B.C., marking a continued reinforcement of its presence in Western Canada. Burnaby is home to several flagship Asian shopping districts and a large population with strong ties to East and Southeast Asian communities, making it a natural market for the company’s next phase of growth.

The new Burnaby store will complement T&T’s existing British Columbia locations, offering customers another convenient destination for specialty groceries and prepared foods.

T&T’s Growth Reflects Changing Canadian Food Culture

From One Store in Vancouver to a National Chain

Founded in 1993 in Vancouver, T&T Supermarket has grown from a single-store operation into a household name with more than 38 locations across Canada and one in the United States. The brand has become synonymous with Asian grocery retailing, offering everything from fresh durian to Japanese snacks, Korean beauty products, dim sum, barbecue meats, Vietnamese coffee, and Filipino pantry staples.

Under Loblaw Companies Limited, the chain has expanded aggressively, venturing into new provinces, developing a robust e-commerce presence, and attracting customers far beyond Asian communities.

Why T&T Continues to Thrive

Consumer interest in Asian cuisine has surged across Canada, driven by shifting demographics, increased cultural exchange, and the mainstream popularity of dishes such as ramen, sushi, bubble tea, hotpot, and Korean barbecue. T&T has become a go-to destination for both newcomers seeking familiar foods and lifelong Canadians discovering new flavours.

The brand’s stores often draw weekend crowds, with many shoppers viewing T&T as both a grocery destination and a cultural experience.

A Win for North York and Surrounding Communities

A Boost to Local Foot Traffic and Economic Activity

Local residents and businesses near Empress Walk are welcoming the upcoming T&T location, citing expectations of increased foot traffic and a revitalized shopping environment. The closure of the former Loblaws store left a major retail gap in the North York Centre neighbourhood, and the arrival of T&T is expected to restore the mall as a key grocery hub for nearby condos, offices, and commuters.

Commitment to Community Connections

T&T has emphasized its focus on community engagement, often hosting cultural events, cooking demonstrations, and seasonal food festivals at its stores. While details have not yet been released, the new North York location is expected to follow this model, offering residents a place not just to shop, but to connect over food and shared culinary traditions.

Opening Timeline and What’s Next

Fall 2026 Launch for the North York Flagship

Construction and renovations at the former Loblaws site are set to begin in 2025, with the official opening targeted for fall 2026. Launch dates for the Mississauga and Burnaby stores will be announced in the coming months as planning progresses.

With three new locations confirmed, continued nationwide demand, and visible momentum behind the brand, T&T Supermarket is positioning itself for another milestone year of growth.

Conclusion: A Major Step Forward for Canada’s Largest Asian Grocery Chain

The announcement of three new stores—including Ontario’s largest T&T—in 2026 marks a significant chapter for the company and reflects its deepening presence in some of Canada’s most diverse and rapidly expanding communities. From expanded food halls to culturally rich shopping experiences, the new T&T locations promise to meet the evolving tastes and expectations of Canadian consumers.

As North York, Mississauga, and Burnaby prepare to welcome their new stores, one thing is clear: T&T Supermarket shows no signs of slowing down its rise as one of the country’s most influential and beloved grocery brands.