Bulk Barn

If the husband exclamates: «come’on hurry… I don’t want to spend the whole day in here…», it’s because there are a lot of interesting things to see in every aisle. It’s like a party place with piñatas included (make the force be with you)!!!
If you go to the 1^st aisle on the left from the entrance you’ll find vitamins, natural remedies, and in front lots of flours: brownie, banana pie, green powder supplement, potato, hemp, etc. Walking further I found a new seed to taste: Israeli cuscus.
The 2^nd aisle is sick. I spent like 15 min. reading all the spices they have. If you need paprika they have 3 options. Cardamon? No problem. If you are lazy or not interested in spending time mixing spices: they have taco, shawarma, ribs, greek, and some other cool seasonings for dressing and marination. They had rare stuff like leek flakes and dandelion tea, but they ran out of my beloved turtle black beans and anise stars.
Some of the good munchies acquisitions include 50% pure dark chocolate with almonds, roasted unsalted peanuts, pecans, cornnuts, and I finally found the butter-​salt powder cinemas put in the popcorn (not healthy but tasty).
If going with me was a problem for the male, careful if you go with kids… Try to avoid the candy section…

I am so excited we finally got a bulk barn in my neighbourhood, I love the wide variety, But I cannot give it a five star rating. I have been going to the store since it opened last december. I noticed that it lacks restocking of items. I have gone in for things like peanut butter and olive oil, to find the container empty. I have found this to be true of the spice section heading for things like dry garlic and black pepper corn and the bins are empty. having to Hike up to metro grocery store for these items. and why the long line ups at the cash? a line that stretches to half way to the back of the store, Three cash registers and only one cashier on duty ??? As much as I will continue to frequent the store to keep my cupboard filled with all the basics a girl needs for cooking and baking I suggest to the store manager perhaps better organization of staff.

What a great Bulk Barn location! So much more slick than the one at Yonge and Carlton. Dangerous, though. I decided that making my own granola would be a really great, economically sensible thing to start doing in my life. I’m unsure if I actually save any money by doing this considering that my average trip is like $ 20 of ingredients, but I guess I can justify it («quality ingredients»). Either way, not Bulk Barn’s fault. Also note that they sell loose leaf tea at remarkably good value.
It’s also super, super clean in here. Like, you walk in and there’s staff vacuuming excess barley from the edges of the bins. Nice job Bulk Barn!

The day this opened, I may have been heard exclaiming «This is the day of my life!» Two other girls in the next aisle nodded their heads vigorously and we bonded at the cash later, because if you’ve ever been in a Bulk Barn you will know the following: Generally, the other Bulk Barns have narrower aisles, the dated yellow and black signs, and you have to write down the bin number with one of those Ikea-​like/​mini-​golf pencils. A lotta work, right? So at this location you don’t have to. The amazing staff have to do all of the looking up, which means I can stroll down the aisles (just grab a cart, trust me) bagging and tossing cool things like Salad Toppers, HEALTHY snacks (for reals), Beanito chips and maybe one piece of chocolate when I’m pmsing. They have the most adorable packaging for little gifties — patterned boxes and bags, some with clear inserts so you can see the treats inside. Also, did you know that at this location (and others, as well) you can rent a cake pan for $ 1.99 per day (I believe there’s a deposit). So no need to actually buy the cake pan you’ll only ever use once! They also have gluten free flours, and every kind of baking supply you never know you needed. Spices, candy, cookies, chocolate, vitamins, etc etc. Every item in the bins has the ingredients clearly labelled (it’s the law, but we’ve all seen places where it’s hard to locate) so it makes it easy if you’re like me and trying to avoid certain ingredients. I know at other locations they have the ingredients on a little tear off note pad (sometimes w recipes/​suggestions) that you can take home with you. Total bonus. They’re really well organized here and I’ve never had to wait in line for very long (nor have there been long lines anytime I’ve gone, day or night). The staff have told me that because it’s a newer location, they carry some items that the older locations don’t. The only two things I’d changes: 1. I go through epsom salts like mad (I’m a huge bath person) and the only options for packaging are the clear bags or peanut butter containers. Oh, and speaking of which, they also have fill your own containers of honey and peanut butter etc. 2. I m looking forward to the day when we can use PC points cards there. I want to stroll down the aisles with my cart, singing out (similar to Maria in Sound of Music in the Hills Are Alive part) as I’m throwing stuff into my cart with wild abandon. Oh, and after you’re done? Stop in at David’s Tea across the street for a pick me up/​something to go with the treats you’ve just bought.

This location has been opened since early December 2014 and what a welcome addition to the Annex neighbourhood. I’ve ran by a few times during my run, but this morning was the first time I finally ventured into the store to take a peek. Plus I was in desperate need of some refreshments as I didn’t hydrate enough prior to running.
Upon entering the store, I was impressed by how spacious and clean the place was. In comparison to the location I usually shop at, this seems like a bigger store. Like every Bulk Barns, everything was clearly labelled and each container had their own scoops. Plus like all stores, they have an abundance of everything healthy and not so healthy snacks, coffee, teas, baking needs, pet food and other supplies that Bulk Barn usually stock their stores with.
Considering I was practically the only customer along with some employees in the store, it was a great shopping experience for me walking through the store in peace. Despite startling some of the employees with my camera flash, they were nice about it and I just carried on taking photos. Although, I wanted to take more photos because how often do I get a chance to be the only shopper at Bulk Barn? Everything was neatly organized and so clean I just wanted to take photos of everything.
I really had to control myself going through the aisle as I headed straight to the back of the store for the coconut water and I was also famished, I just wanted to scoop up so many snacks. I did end up getting some post run snacks, but had to be good since I already stockpiled on Saturday when I was at my usual Bulk Barn located at King & Spadina.
Am sure this location gets very busy in the late afternoon when school is out since there are a handful of schools in the area (and U of T campus not too far away with students living off campus), plus being located in a residential/​commercial area, there are many families and lots of businesses in the area. Definitely a popular location for sure and I can just imagine the crowds and lineups during peak lunch, afternoon and evening times.
The staff were friendly and checkout was an absolute breeze because there wasn’t a line-​up. The cashier completed my transaction very efficiently and provided service with a smile. Absolutely my kind of store, but I just hope I don’t make this location a regular spot post run because I may possibly go overboard with the various healthy and not so healthy snacks.
I’m loving Bulk Barn again and very happy I don’t have to venture to the Carlton/​Yonge location anymore since now I have two closer locations to choose from. I may have to impose a restraining order on myself from Bulk Barns because it can be a dangerous place post run.

I sent snapchats to everyone when they put up signs announcing their opening.
What a fancy smancy Bulk Barn! They’ve re-​branded everything and ye old hideous yellow and red schemes have been scooped into the future. It does feel oddly American Apparel in here but I’m not complaining — I don’t have to go to College to get my weight in candy anymore. Really good selection, staff are nice, not too crowded or busy, I’m really happy its here.

Randomly walked past this place after dinner, and have to say I was impressed. This is one of the larger Bulk Barns (or similar type store) I have been to. With its size, of course the store had a huge selection of snacks (e.g. chocolate, candy, chips etc.), baking products, spices, and the similar things. Was not too busy in the evening, and the staff was friendly/​helpful when asked a question.
This place just opened up 3 weeks ago, and I expect it to do pretty well with it’s good location and wide selection of snacks in bulk.