Shopsy's facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founders | Harry and Jenny Shopsowitz |
| Headquarters | , |
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Key people
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Sam and Izzy Shopsowitz |
| Products | Assorted Deli Meats |
Shopsy's is a famous Jewish delicatessen (deli) restaurant chain. It is located in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. Shopsy's is also a brand name for popular meat products. These products are owned by Maple Leaf Foods.
Shopsy's started as a small deli on Spadina Avenue in Toronto in 1921. It was in a part of the city known for its Jewish community. From 1983, the main restaurant moved to busy areas like Yonge and Front Streets. In the late 1940s, Shopsy's began making deli meat products for stores and homes. Today, the main Shopsy's Deli is at Toronto's Sheraton Centre. Maple Leaf Foods still sells Shopsy's hot dogs and other meats.
Contents
The Story of Shopsy's
How Shopsy's Began
In 1921, a husband and wife, Harry and Jenny Shopsowitz, opened a small ice cream shop. It had only 18 seats and was located on Spadina Avenue in Toronto. Their shop soon became known as Shopsowitz Delicatessen. By the mid-1940s, they were selling products under the Shopsy's name.
Growing the Business
Harry Shopsowitz passed away in October 1945. His sons, Sam and Izzy Shopsowitz, took over the family business. They helped it grow into a well-known Toronto spot, renaming it Shopsy's.
A famous person named Harold Ballard, who later owned the Toronto Maple Leafs, encouraged Sam. He suggested Sam open a factory to process meat. By 1947, Sam was even called "the corned beef king" in advertisements.
Changes in Ownership
In 1969, Izzy sold his part of the business to Sam. Then, in 1971, a large company called Lever Brothers (part of Unilever) bought Shopsy's. Sam stayed on as the company's president until 1977.
Sam Shopsowitz passed away in Toronto in September 1984 at age 65. Izzy had rejoined the business after it was sold to Unilever. He passed away in April 1994 at age 71. He had a heart attack while greeting customers at the Shopsy's restaurant on Yonge Street.
Moving Locations
After 62 years on Spadina Avenue, the Shopsy's restaurant moved. It opened on Yonge Street at Front Street in March 1983. This location was a famous spot for over 25 years.
However, in 2008, the lease for the Yonge and Front location ended. Shopsy's had to close that restaurant. It then moved to the Sheraton Centre on Queen Street West. That is where the main Shopsy's restaurant is located today.
Other Shopsy's locations have included Markham, Ontario, Toronto Island, and a small Shopsy's Express kiosk at the Rogers Centre.
Who Owns Shopsy's Now?
In 1992, Unilever sold the part of Shopsy's that made meat products to Maple Leaf Foods. The restaurant business, called Shopsy's Hospitality Incorporated, was managed by A&W for a while in the 1990s.
In 1996, a group led by Lewis Allen bought the restaurant business. He was the CEO until 2003. By 2004, Dynamic Funds owned Shopsy's Hospitality. In 2006, the Irish Embassy Hospitality Group bought the Shopsy's restaurant. The Shopsy's Deli main offices are at 51 Yonge Street in Toronto.
Shopsy's Products
Shopsy's is well-known for its delicious meat products. Many people enjoy these items at home or in restaurants.
- Hot dogs
- Corned beef
- Salami
- Pastrami
- Pastrami Sticks / Jerky
- Smoked meat
Shopsy's Deli Locations
Over the years, Shopsy's has had many restaurant locations. Here are some of the places where you could find a Shopsy's Deli:
- Downtown Toronto, 96 Richmond West, Toronto (in the Sheraton Centre)
- Shopsy's York Lanes Mall, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto - This location was sold.
- Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street West (1921–1983) – This was the original general goods store.
- Yonge Street north of St. Clair Avenue (1998–2005) – This spot is now a pub.
- King Street West at John Street, Toronto (1994–2003) – This location was sold.
- Yonge Street at Front Street, Toronto (1983–2009) – The lease for this famous spot ended.
- Mississauga Road and Derry Road, Mississauga (2004–2010) – The lease for this location also ended.
- Shopsy's Express at the Rogers Centre
- Shopsy's Deli Woodbine and Steeles
- Shopsy's Centre Island – on the Toronto Islands
- Shopsy's Sports Bar on the Danforth
See also
- List of Ashkenazi Jewish restaurants
- List of delicatessens
