If you live in parts of Markham or Saskatoon, there’s a good chance you’ve either heard of or popped into a First Choice Supermarket. It’s not some giant grocery chain with TV ads and loyalty apps. It’s something else — an everyday neighbourhood store that quietly feeds families, cuts them a deal on mangoes, and slips the weekly special into a folded paper flyer you pick up at the counter.
Lately, searches for “First Choice Supermarket” have exploded. Locals want to know when it opens, what’s on sale, who’s hiring, and, frankly, whether it’s worth a detour for the produce aisle alone. Here’s the full story, pieced together from local visits, phone calls, and chats with people who shop there every other day.
Where They’re Found
There’s no glossy corporate website listing all addresses. But a few spots keep showing up in conversations:
Markham, Ontario: Tucked just off Kennedy Road, squeezed between auto shops and a small strip plaza. Street parking’s tight on weekends but manageable midweek.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: A quiet spot on Louise Avenue. Locals mention it by word-of-mouth more than Google Maps. A handwritten Open sign sits crooked in the window.
Both share the same vibe: neat aisles, handwritten produce tags, and a staff that knows which family buys goat meat every Friday.
When to Go
Forget 24-hour mega-marts. These stores open on human time.
Most days you’ll see the shutters roll up between 9 and 10 AM, lights flick on one row at a time, and the butcher preps before lunch. Closing time hovers around 9 PM, though anyone who’s been there knows it’s flexible — if a customer’s still picking mangoes at 8:55, nobody’s rushing them out.
The Flyers: Old-School Bargains
This is the number one reason search traffic spiked. Flyers still matter here. They don’t do fancy PDFs or email signups. Instead:
A stack sits by the till.
Regulars grab one while chatting with the cashier.
Some phone the store and ask, “What’s cheap this week?”
What’s in it? Seasonal fruit, herbs, bulk rice, and a short list of everyday essentials at prices that usually undercut the big chains by a few cents — or more if you’re buying by the box.
The Halal Counter & Ethnic Staples
It’s more than a budget produce stop. Walk past the onions and you’ll find a modest meat counter. Certified halal, butchered daily. Lamb and goat are local favourites. Chicken trays go fast — many regulars say Friday is when the freshest cuts land.
Shelves nearby stock spice packets you won’t find at your average Loblaw’s: pouches of curry leaves, bulk lentils, sacks of basmati rice. Shoppers nod to each other in different languages and nobody bats an eye.
Jobs: Who Works There
Ask the cashier where they found their job, and they’ll smile: “I walked in, asked the boss, he asked what languages I speak — and that was that.”
These shops run on trust and local hiring. Teenagers pick up shifts after school. Aunties swap recipes while bagging fruit. The going wage hovers around $15–$19 per hour, cashiers on the lower end, meat counter staff slightly higher if they have experience. No online application portals — your best bet is to pop in with a polite hello and a short resume.
The Local Supply Chain Nobody Talks About
Behind those mango crates is a network.
Small farms an hour outside town drop off seasonal greens.
A family-run bakery two blocks over supplies flatbreads and samosas on weekends.
Spices and imported pantry goods arrive from Toronto wholesalers with long-standing handshake deals.
One local farmer said, “Big chains want volume and barcodes. Here, I can sell fresh peas the day they’re picked. They pay on time, too.”
What Shoppers Actually Say
This story wouldn’t be real without a few snippets straight from the aisle:
Sonia, regular shopper: “They know me. If they have sweet mangos, they’ll say, ‘Sonia, this crate is good today.’ Try getting that at Costco.”
Imran, local cab driver: “I work nights. At 8 AM, before I go home, I stop here for meat. It’s always fresh, and they cut the bones how my wife likes.”
Aisha, retired: “Sometimes the price is a bit lower than Walmart, sometimes not — but here I get the cuts I want and someone to carry my bag.”
Five Things To Remember
They’re open daily, but best to shop midweek for produce.
Flyers are physical, not online — pick one up at the store.
Fresh halal cuts are a house specialty.
Jobs are word-of-mouth — drop by, be respectful.
If you’re a supplier, introduce yourself. Owners prefer to deal directly, no middleman.
Why This Matters
For big cities that sometimes feel too big, First Choice Supermarket is a small anchor. It’s not a retail giant. It’s not fancy. But it’s stitched into the routines of thousands of families. And in a world where so many people order groceries by app, it’s a reminder that sometimes a handshake deal and a friendly nod at the register still work just fine.
FAQ
Where can I get the First Choice Supermarket flyer?
Flyers are usually available in-store at the checkout counter or pinned on a noticeboard.
What are the store hours?
Most locations open between 9 AM and 10 AM and close around 9 PM.
Is the meat halal?
Yes — fresh halal meat, including goat and lamb, is butchered daily in-store.
Do they hire locally?
Yes — they typically hire local part-time and casual staff. Bring your resume in person.
One Last Thing
Search traffic may come and go, but community trust is what keeps these stores alive. Next time you pass that handwritten sign that says Special on Lychee This Week, stop in. Ask what’s fresh. Chat with the butcher. It’s old-school, and it works.
Editor’s Note: This story is independent editorial coverage by Global Supermarket News. We are not affiliated with First Choice Supermarket management. Information was gathered from local shoppers, public sources, and in-store visits for community context only.
