Over twenty-five years ago, John and Rina Sheldon opened a retail food store on John Street in Thornhill. The company, Ambrosia Natural Foods, sold nuts, dried fruits, baking goods, snacks and other bulk food items at discount prices. During the late 1970s, the bulk food concept was new to Canada, and the public appetite for quality bulk food products at significant savings soon caught on.

"We were one of the first retailers in Canada to introduce the bulk food retail concept," says Rina Sheldon, President of Ambrosia Natural Foods. "As the trend towards health and nutrition began in the late 70's and then intensified, Ambrosia continuously evolved to serve that growing market with a diverse range of products at everyday discount prices."

From Ambrosia's original bulk food business, the company expanded into vitamins and minerals, natural foods, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, natural cosmetic products, frozen entrées, specialty foods and more.

After 15 years of business at the John Street location, Ambrosia Natural Foods embarked upon a major expansion in 1994. It moved from its 700 sq. ft. John Street location to a 7,000 sq. ft. retail warehouse on Doncaster Avenue in Thornhill. The move enabled Ambrosia to expand its product lines and to accommodate a larger volume of eager shoppers. Ideally located on the edge of Metropolitan Toronto and York Region, Ambrosia Natural Foods attracts thousands of local and out-of-town customers weekly.

"Our customers are the cornerstone of our business," Rina says. "We feel privileged to have so many loyal customers who regularly shop at Ambrosia. Some of our customers have been shopping here for more than 20 years. We pride ourselves on being their one-stop shop."

"The staff is really friendly and helpful..."

Additional expansion took place in the early 1980s, when Ambrosia opened a franchise store at the Quaker Hill Market Place in Newmarket. Arnold and Norma Appelton purchased the franchise from the original franchisees in 1998, and they moved the store to larger premises within the same plaza.

Huguette Lemieux is a Willowdale resident who has been a regular customer since Ambrosia's earliest days. "I remember when Ambrosia first opened on John Street," she says. "It became a ritual for me to shop there every week for bulk food items and, later on, for vitamin supplements, organic meats and dairy products, and herbal products. Ambrosia is first class in price, quality and friendliness. I love shopping there."

Since Ambrosia introduced fresh organic fruits and vegetables in 1999, the company has discovered a whole new market for organic foods. "Ambrosia is a one-stop retail food store that offers excellent prices, tremendous variety and great monthly specials," says Sam, a North York resident.

Collingwood resident Paulette Clement makes special trips to visit Ambrosia for health foods, vitamin supplements and specialty foods. "A friend introduced me to Ambrosia about six years ago," she says. "I've been shopping there ever since. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Ambrosia to others."

Ambrosia Natural Foods offers a unique shopping experience. Product selection is always changing to accommodate new additions and requests. Full time nutritionists and vitamin experts are on hand to offer friendly, knowledgeable advice on a wide variety of health-related topics. Ambrosia also carries a full range of fitness and sports nutrition, anti-aging and weight management products to meet the needs of customers who lead an active lifestyle.