Not your average dep, Montreal convenience stores offer healthy options
Forget about sugar-filled chocolate bars and over-salted bags of chips, a new Montreal convenience store offers more health-conscious options and is now open in multiple locations across the city.
The people behind Kalemart 24 hope to make healthy eating accessible by offering a selection of healthy options
"We've been working very hard to make sure that the concept is not just like any convenience store," said Kalemart 24 founder Oussama "Sam" Saoudi.
The first location opened in March at the Berri -UQAM metro station and the second one at Jarry Metro in March.
A third location will open soon near the Bell Centre in Montreal's downtown core.
"I think we need to see more of this type of concept because it's important to see more healthy options in the market," said customer Theirry Lorfils.
Saoudi hopes to redefine the concept of health options by keeping things local.
"We're from Montreal, [and] we wanted to support local companies, whether they're from Montreal or Quebec, so we took that into account," he said.
The stores stocks salads from Mandy's, Aux Vivres vegan bowls and other local products.
"It's convenient for me when I come, I'm already in the metro, [so] it's great," said customer Kevin McLean. "I love the idea of having these kinds of things available because you won't find these in IGAs or Loblaws, whatever, you might find one or two of them but to have a whole this kind of variety is quite good."
While the organic food costs can scare away some customers, Saoudi said the store's pricing points are competitive.
"KaleMart24 is going to be the next Couche-Tard," he said. "It's going to replace the classic convenience stores that you see around because the next generation - millennials, Gen Zs - are really looking for the products, for the type of products we carry."
Saoudi has plans to open more stores, including near McGill University and in Gatineau with plans to expand across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Is there a cost to convenience? Canada approves new cancer immunotherapy treatment
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Archeologists search for remnants of Halifax's 250-year-old wall that surrounded the city
Archeologist Jonathan Fowler is using ground-penetrating radar to search for historic evidence of the massive wall that surrounded Halifax more than 250 years ago.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
'Deeply unhappy' grocery shoppers plan to boycott Loblaw-owned stores in May
A boycott targeting Loblaw is gaining momentum online, with what could be thousands of shoppers taking their money elsewhere in May.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Anne Hathaway reveals she's now five years sober
Anne Hathaway first shared she lost interest in drinking after a bad hangover in 2018. She’s now five years sober.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.