Finding great food at a reasonable cost can be a difficult task in small towns, but the newest grocery store in Manitouwadge fits the bill perfectly.
Open since late October, and located downtown in a space much larger than its storefront suggests, Market 614 offers up quality produce, meats, eggs and a variety of specialty foods at surprisingly low prices.
“The value’s in the quality of our produce,” says co-owner Eric Robert. “It’s fresh. It hasn’t been sitting in a warehouse down south for weeks. We get it straight from the distributor and it’s on our shelves within days, so it’s going to last longer; all at about the same price you’d pay in other grocery stores.”
Beyond the freshness and great prices, all the perishables are from sources close to home. Persians, fish and cheese from Thunder Bay, bison from Kakabeka Falls, eggs from Foleyet, produce and dry goods from Timmins. Even closer to home, you can get gourmet meals, soups and meal kits made right here in Manitouwadge.
“We’re renting a commercial kitchen space for the time being, but we’ll have a certified, inspected kitchen of our own in the new year. We love to experiment with new flavours and ingredients and we’re excited to be able to do that in our own space,” Natalie Clement, co-owner and Eric’s wife explains. “I’ve perfected my recipe for cretons (a delicious French-Canadian pork paté) and we’re selling out every batch. We both love cooking, so this gives us the opportunity to share our ready-to-eat gourmet meals with our customers.”
Fancy yourself a chef and want to create some epicurean delights of your own? From delicious soup stocks and seasonings to exotic nuts and seeds, you’ll find everything you need to whip up your own culinary delights. Special dietary needs? No problem! Market 614 offers up a great selection of low-carb, gluten free, lactose-free products, including a whole host of bread, pancake and pizza dough mixes. Pair those with some Northern Ontario sourced Italian sausage, add some fresh green peppers and juicy cherry tomatoes, sprinkle on some artisan cheese, and you’ve got a creation that’s safe and extraordinarily delicious.
What truly breathes life into this store is its owners. Eric and Natalie show a real heart for Northern Ontario. They are truly passionate about people, good business practices and serving their local community. This hunger for excellence can be found in every nook and cranny of the store; the staff are friendly and helpful, the ambiance is comforting and relaxed, and the care that’s taken to present their products is outstanding. They go out of their way to listen to their customers, and they make every effort to bring in the product the people of Manitouwadge want to see.
The takeaway? Market 614 is an exciting new grocery store experience with fresh, unique, locally sourced foods at a reasonable price that will be sure to make your next meal an extraordinary adventure!
