Located on Erie Street, just east of Parent is La Stella Supermarket. One of a dying breed of local grocery stores.
Opened in 1969, it is one of Windsor’s best kept little secrets. Their selection for items like pasta and italian cheeses, are second to none, and their prices on par with the big chains.
A great history of the business can be found here, along with local blog post on the subject too.
Remember to support your local businesses, the grocery stores like La Stella and Giglio’s out by the University, and the small hardware stores like Potomiski’s and Canada Salvage are what makes this city tick.
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David, I disagree that it's the businesses responsibity to advertise.
I think its the responsibility of every citizen of Windsor who doesn't want to have Home Depot and WalMart as their only shopping options to get off the beaten path, and explore our city. Look at the small shops we have, park your cars, and walk into these places and see what they have to offer. I lived in my house for six years before I finally "got around" to going into La Stella. With the price of gas these days, I'm more than happy to hunt out the local shops.
Take some initiative of your own, don't rely on advertising to tell you what to do, or you'll miss out on some great gems.
Just to echo Rich's statement - I was by Potomski's this afternoon and the store does appear to be vacant.
Thanks for posting this. I just paid a visit today - and I know where I'm buying my Parmigiano-Reggiano from now on!
Amy - Good to hear. Yes some items are cheaper elsewhere, but the selection and knowledge of the staff can't be beat.
Isn't there/wasn't there a small supermarket just west of Parent north of Tecumseh? On Hannah maybe?
VP: Schincariol Market. Been shuttered for a few years now.
FYI - Potomski's is now closed......
We must change the conversation and develop a symbiotic relationship with these smaller, independant retailers if we are to take back control of our community. We all want the same thing, don't we? Earn a living wage while providing a service for our neighbours that they value enough to spend their hard-earned dollars for. And we the citizen consumer really need to have these service providers close by in our neighbourhoods for ease of access and to simplify our lives.
In other words, Andrew I agree with you.
ahhhhh schincariol market. i used to live kiddie corner from there for most of my life, my mom was a butcher there lol. was a great place, nice meat and prices to match.
I agree with Andrew also but (you knew there had to be one, didn't you?) the little market I visit damn well better have something I really need or can't find anywhere else. Otherwise, it just becomes another 7-11.
Small markets (and by "market" I don't mean the beer/soda pop/candy places) that survive around here do so because they cater to nitche markets. Out here in my little Pacific Northleft city, we have some really good Mexican markets, but also an Eastern European shop, and two or three "gormet" style deli's. They draw my business because they carry products that the local chain doesn't.
The problem I have with the "shop local" idea is unless I really need that gallon of milk, I'm not going to go to the corner grocery and pay his price. I WILL support locally owned businesses when the quality, selection and service are superior to the national chain. The little store gets my business when it either offers superior service (my local hardware store beats the box hands down on this one) or a product that the chain either can't or won't carry.
Let's use the resturant analogy. You're out looking for a good steak, you go to McDonalds? Of course not, you go to someplace that you know will cook you a good hunk of meat just the way you like it. And you're willing to pay for it. But when you're looking for a cheap burger to get you down the road, Mickey D's is the place.