A Family Business for over 100 Years

Pasquale Brothers was first established in 1917 by my great-grandfather, Edward Pasquale, to supply fellow Italian immigrants with familiar foods. The high quality of our offerings was quickly recognized by a broad range of ethnic groups. Pasquale Brothers became a food destination for the rapidly growing and diverse population of Toronto. That tradition continues to this day.

Edward Pasquale arrived in Canada in 1911 from Abruzzo, Italy. He met my great-grandmother, Donna, while rolling cigars in a Toronto factory. Edward and his brother, Panfilo founded the business in 1917 and set up shop around Chestnut and Elm Streets in Toronto. The area formerly known as The Ward. Panfilo returned with his family to Italy. Edward and Donna were married in 1919 and ran the business together while also raising a family in the space above the shop.

The business moved in 1926 to a larger location at 111 King Street East. This was also the year that my great-grandmother Georgina was born. After finishing with school, Georgina began working in the office and met her future husband, Henry Madott. They were married in 1947. The business expanded again in the late 1940’s to 135 King Street East. Henry became the heart and soul of the retail store and established one of the first cheese counters in the city. 

The second world war interrupted the supply of olive oil to North America. Pasquale Brothers began manufacturing sunflower oil here in Canada as substitute for olive oil. The retail store was moved again further east in 1956 to 145 King Street East and began manufacturing in separate location at 79 Wingold Ave. The manufacturing facility was moved again in 1968 to Keele Street.

In 1969, the Pasquale family decided to focus on the downtown store where a shared passion for food flourished. The manufacturing end was consolidated into Unico and sold to Imasco. Unico was purchased by Sun-Brite foods in 1997 and continues to operate at the Keele Street location.

The business was passed along to the 3rd generation in 1973 and run by Georgina & Henry’s daughter, Anna Marie and her husband John Kalcevich. The store moved again further east in 1981 to 217 King Street East, a historically designated building. It was located next to the St. Lawrence Market and was right in the heart of the old city of York (c. 1787). This is now the site of George Brown’s Chef’s House.

In 2003, we moved to our current Etobicoke location at 16 Goodrich Rd. The modern warehouse and proximity to the highway system allows us to stock more items and deliver them more efficiently. We also have lots of parking and space to receive shipments from Europe.

Anna Marie and John’s daughter, Christina Kalcevich and her husband Tony Burt took over the business in 2016. Pasquale Brothers continues to flourish as an importer, wholesaler and retailer of fine food products.

Through the years, we have remained true to the vision of our founder Edward Pasquale who wanted nothing more than to offer the finest food products served by a knowledgeable staff.

Online shopping is available on our website.

Yours in good taste,

Tony Burt and Christina Kalcevich (4th generation Pasquale)