Angelo Tosi's Italian Market

Angelo Tosi with Kathleen

At the far end of Chinatown in Vancouver B. C., I walked into an unassuming storefront to find a true treasure. Tosi & Co.an Italian market. A older man with gray sideburns wearing a black flat cap leaned over the counter "Angelo, hai ricevuto I mier pomodori? (Angelo, have you received my tomatoes)." Angelo raised a finger in the air proclaiming he had and started to walk toward the back of the market. The man followed "Avete qualche notiza, del pases vecchio? (Do ou have any news of the old country?).

By this time, both men were in the back and looking at the packed tomatoes from Naples. I could not hear Angelo's response to the question about the old country but the pleasant expression on both their faces seemed to indicate the news was good.

The man exited the store and I had a chance to introduce myself to Angelo Tosi, the 82 year old owner and operator. The store looked like a warehouse, light streaming into it at sharp angles from skylights above. Only one small old light hung from the ceiling of the 6,000 sq ft store.

Angelo noticed I was looking at the light. "Father did not believe in florescent light, he wanted things to look natural." He went on to tell me that the store was started by his father 111 years ago and that he had operated it since 1973.

"We only sell authentic and quality products here." Angelo said as he pointed to the Tiger Brand Olive Oil, the Tosi Brand Tomatoes from Naples and Organic Parmigiana Cheese.


Among the most curious thing was why the store was even here on the edge of Chinatown? I did some research unearthing an article written by Jack Mackie of the Vancouver Sun in 2011. I also reviewed Tosi & Co website at www.tosifoods.com. It turns out that the area was originally known as Little Italy because of the Italians who immigrated there in early 1900's. At that time, Chinatown was only one block long. Then in the 1930's there was a large influx of Chinese and other Asians. They bought all the homes and the Italians moved further East to the Commercial District in Vancouver.

Many of these old time residents still make the trek to Tosi & Co. for the food products they love and to say hello to Angelo. He also still maintains an active wholesale trade supplying local restaurants, driving a 1967 truck with a canvas top to make deliveries.

As you look around at Angelo's products and store, you can't help but notice a wonderful spark in his eyes, he still enjoys running the family business. You can find almost anything at the store. Jack Mackie reported he once fond a bottle of liquid named "Alphoma" with an Indian Chief label on it proclaiming, "Alphoma is real medicine, believe me paleface."

What you will not find is another person or experience quite as genuine as Angelo and his market. A must see when you are visiting Vancouver. It is hard to tell how long it will be there. Large condominiums have replaced old buildings across the street. Knowing Angelo though, I imagine he will find a way to carry on his business and keep that spark in his eyes.

David Young