Stevens Groceries

Helen and Steven are educated, intelligent and kind. And, not surprisingly, it shows in their convenience store. Helen was a teacher in Korea and you can tell by the beautifully laid out signs throughout the store, the lost and found bin at the front, the photos of neighbourhood kids behind the front cash. Both she and Steven work hard to make this a fantastically comfortable and friendly place to shop. Classical music always playing (no wonder the plants are always thriving here), the place is always clean, even during slushy winter weather, there is always someone mopping up. They are so friendly and helpful and you can basically find anything in the world you may need in a pinch here. Last minute party supplies? Check. Cat litter? Check? Sudden craving for President’s choice lasagna in the freezer but too tired to trek to Loblaws? Check. Family friendly store? Check. Dog treats for your pup? Check. I think if there was an award for the Best Convenience Store in Toronto, they should get it.

Steven’s is the kind of place you feel good supporting, even if some items are a tad more expensive than you might find elsewhere. The staff are always nice and friendly, and they always have just what you went in to find. Great stop if you’re in the neighbourhood and need pretty much anything.

There isn’t anything I can say about Steven’s that hasn’t already been said: classical music played by the nicest owners in the entire world, a surprisingly wide supply of little odds and ends: sewing needles and threads, candles, a can opener. All the food and drink you’d expect at a corner store.
They have a wonderful supply of healthy plants and cut flowers in the warm months, and decent Christmas tress in the winter (and have twine inside to tie it to your car, as well.)

Today while Helen was telling me how young I look and discussing the precise colour balance of my raincoat, the song from Homeward Bound came on her radio. We chatted for ten more minutes, ending in my leaving before blurting «I wish you were my mom».
This convenience store is across the street from my truest weed buddy in Toronto, and while other merchants gaze impatiently at people walking back and forth 6 times between junior mints, crispers and wine gums, Helen and Steven just smile as their classical radio feathers around their healthy faces.
I once had a tab running with them — mom&pop as heck.

Helen and Steven are no rookies. They’ve mastered the art of convenience, keeping their shelves fully stocked with the essentials and more at all times. Granted, the prices are high, but when you’re in a pinch, you can guarantee whatever it is you’re looking for is here.
Steven is something of a green thumb, too, so be sure to consult him when you’re pulling together your garden in the spring. Plus, as you scour for plants, enjoy the classical tunes, which are always playing, rain or shine.
This family operation has done an incredible job of working its way into the hearts of the surrounding community. You’ll love the collage of neighbourhood kid and dog photos behind the counter.
Tip: Try the gummy eggs. They’re the freshest in the biz!

I have never seen a convenience store that has such a loyal group of customers. This following is certainly the result of having two owners, Stephen and Helen, who make you feel like you are the most important customer in the world each time you walk into the store. To understand how friendly these people are, at Christmas time, they gave me a plant as a gift for being a good customer. When they accidentally overcharged a customer for a sale item, they left a note on their register asking the person who was overcharged to please claim their money back.
Additionally, the store has just about everything you can imagine, crammed neatly into a relatively small space. It is incredible what you can fit into a store this size if you make use of every available inch (and yet the store does not feel like it is overstocked).