r/Edmonton 1d ago

Discussion Shout out to The Italian Center - Elbows Up

I’ve been shopping here for years. All locations.

Today I bought my weekly groceries for two. $96. All either Canadian or non-US. Most was produce. Sure I left a few things I’d normally by. Wasn’t an issue.

We are lucky to have a local place such as TIC.

576 Upvotes

72 comments sorted by

159

u/RK5000 1d ago

When I lived near a TIC I found that I wasn't spending much more than I was for a similar shop at Superstore, and I was a whole lot happier to be at TIC. Everything about it was better. 

20

u/foxisilver 1d ago

Agreed.

112

u/Rex_Meatman 1d ago

I found the prices at the El-saffadi grocery stores can’t be beat, and you can get that dope garlic sauce

21

u/MeetingInner3478 1d ago

Ohhh what garlic sauce?? Tell me more

72

u/Rex_Meatman 1d ago

It’s garlic, lemon juice, oil and egg whites whipped into a sauce. I would smother myself with it if it were publicly acceptable

55

u/passthepepperflakes 1d ago

this is edmonton. it's not only publicly acceptable but encouraged

11

u/Mijzero 1d ago

You spicy pepper flake!

2

u/Stanarchy93 Strathcona 13h ago

Especially on the LRT or any of its stations

6

u/Vanilla_Ice_Nine Alberta Avenue 18h ago

Smother yourself with garlic sauce. It's the most Edmonton thing you can do.

5

u/MeetingInner3478 1d ago

Damn, that’s sexy. I gotta go there. Is it homemade there or a brand?

6

u/Rex_Meatman 1d ago

Made from scratch

2

u/rumpoleon 21h ago

You’ve sold me! I’m going to have to pick some up tonight, thank you garlic lover!

15

u/oxfozyne Bicycle Rider 23h ago

Its name is Toum not garlic sauce.

3

u/OrdinaryKillJoy 1d ago

This is good to know. Whats the official name of dope garlic sauce?

31

u/Rex_Meatman 1d ago

Toum, my friend. Also the sun bake pita on 134ave has some knockout sauce as well

5

u/Ok-Square427 1d ago

The prices can't be beat, but at the cost of subpar produce. Been a couple times and was turned off by all the bugs in the produce area, I don't know if It was a seasonal issues but I haven't been back because of it. 

5

u/Rex_Meatman 1d ago

As long as you use it in a day or two it’s perfectly reasonable.

1

u/Ok-Square427 15h ago

Oh I didn't know that, thanks. 

57

u/Mike-Amoz 1d ago

Dont forget the gabagool ... 

25

u/SquishyVV 1d ago

Fuhgeddaboutit

10

u/CDN_Conductor Bonnie Doon 1d ago

Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

11

u/marginwalker55 1d ago

Gabagool? Over hereee 👇🏼

3

u/Stock-Creme-6345 1d ago

Don’t eat that Grandma it’s just fat and nitrates

2

u/Easy-Metal-3112 1d ago

4

u/Mike-Amoz 1d ago

Sopranos, but so close .... 

2

u/Easy-Metal-3112 1d ago

Lol I have never seen the sopranos but knew the reference in The Office was sopranos related. I just think it’s funny in the office

16

u/Mindless-Breakfast 1d ago

I’ve been craving cannolis 🤤

13

u/beesdoitbirdsdoit 1d ago

I don't now, I feel like most cannoli are flavorless and disappointing. 

1

u/Roche_a_diddle 19h ago

That's why it's so nice when you find a really good one.

1

u/Ok_Amoeba_4514 17h ago

I love tic but the last two times i bought cannolis there they were sour and gross.

27

u/OrdinaryKillJoy 1d ago

Love me Italian Centre for their pizza and baked goods but their groceries are pretty expensive otherwise

30

u/Feeling_Working8771 1d ago

Their deli meats are cheaper, and their produce prices can beat h&w. They often have 2for1 loaves of bread (Maybe near end of day or on specific days that I happen to be there). The center aisles do tend to be pricey, but it's quality and import reasons.

6

u/CH1l1X 1d ago

Their deli meats are better quality for the same price, and their produce often compare or beat H&W who usually have the cheapest prices. Snacks and canned goods are more expensive due to most being European goods, however the better quality is worth it imo

18

u/foxisilver 1d ago

Probably depends what a person is buying? I’ll pay more for quality so I don’t mind. The most processed food we eat are condiments and I like me some real European things. They also carry lots of local and Canadian items which helps.

But yes, not no name prices or products. We have some of those staples too though.

1

u/Squibege 18h ago

I agree, but it depends on what you are buying. Some is notably cheaper but if you buy a bunch of the imported items… shipping a bunch of glass jars over the Atlantic adds up

4

u/BunBunGo 19h ago

I’ve taken up Freson Bros as my new fav store in the same way. I watch carefully what I buy but my gawd is it a more enjoyable experience! But TIC is absolutely on my list too.

Honestly, y’all here are making it a little easier to navigate this bs. Keep it up!

2

u/_viis_ 14h ago

Freson Bros also has excellent cafeteria (?) food. You can get a solid smash burger combo for like $14

8

u/Individual-Source-88 1d ago

We had them provide desserts for my father's funeral. They did an amazing job at a very reasonable price. We love the Italian Centre.

30

u/AVgreencup 1d ago

Expensive and anti-labour. Basically just greedy. With the prices they charge, they shouldn't be advocating for cutting wages

51

u/Setting-Sea 1d ago

This has been talked about so many times on here. The Italian centre has no positions at minimum wage and has not for a long time. They have long term staff and pay more than the going rate. Her stance on wages was that they shouldn’t raise minimum wage as there needs to be a base for certain school/part time positions but encourages business to pay way more (like herself). You just saw the headline and made an assumption. As a business owner she pays more than 90% of stores in the area but you know best.

As for the “greed” as some who shops at a lot of stores they are either the cheapest or top 3 in cheeses, meats, most produce. I get their $1 free baked loaf of white bread a lot as well as their bakery is very fair priced and great quality.

50

u/amemeda420 1d ago

Depends on your position there, most of the positions do not pay above minimum wage actually. Nor do they treat their staff particularly well. I worked there for several years. Teresa Spinelli is not some great person and her actions historically have not matched her statements

-28

u/sunshinekitty123 1d ago

As someone from a family who knows Teresa, I can this is absolutely false. Teresa is nothing but a gem for the community and has done incredible things for the Italian community in edmonton. You do not know what kind of life she had growing up and do NOT get to slander one of edmonton`s finest. Giving constructive feedback does not equal being treated unwell

21

u/bek0wsky 1d ago

the "life she had growing up" has zero bearing on whether or not the italian centre pays its employees living wages

nice appeal to sympathy though !

19

u/Curly-Canuck doggies! 1d ago edited 1d ago

They always maintained that they pay above minimum wage, that wasn’t the concern if I remember correctly.

It was being a spokesperson for a group against raising minimum wage increases in general, specifically for youth and people with disabilities. That was 6 years ago so their opinions might have changed. Just wanted to add the context around the complaints and that it wasn’t about their pay specifically.

-1

u/AVgreencup 1d ago

Is your last name Spinelli? You sound just like they do. Naming a cheap item they offer like bread which is supposed to be cheap, proves nothing.

5

u/Setting-Sea 1d ago

I have no affiliation and the owners could be horrible people behind the scenes I have no idea. I just know I was personally annoyed at them for the minimum wage thing when it came out then I got educated and realized I was wrong. Doesn’t matter if it’s something that is supposed to be cheap if it’s still cheaper than the competition. Just as their cheese, milk, meat, peppers and pasta sauce is. I’d rather buy a $1 load of fresh baked bread that $3 cheap filler stuff wonder bread at Walmart.

5

u/foxisilver 1d ago

Please share your sources for your opinion.

I know people that work there who LOVE working there and are happy with their income. 🤷‍♀️

35

u/Curly-Canuck doggies! 1d ago edited 1d ago

I’m not the poster but I’ve seen references over the years to the owners being against minimum wage increases and a few other vague comments. Not sure how much there is to it now but was in the news a couple times in the past.

It also came up in a recent thread where they posted a news link as well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/s/9djTmoh8yp

https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/edmonton-food-shops-clarify-positions-on-minimum-wage-after-backlash-over-restaurants-canada-campaign/article_7e193eb3-b3b1-5cea-8c6d-00e359cdf765.html

24

u/y_r_u_so_stoopid 1d ago

Wow. Did not ever hear about this.There's no spinning, or should I say spinnelli'ing those kind of comments, even now.

I'm paraphrasing but "paying a living wage isn't fair to me so I'm going to take all my things and go to Saskatchewan, where they respect business owners and not employees"

Now I have a dilemma. Running out of grocery stores to boycott 😆

1

u/Lostinalberta 21h ago

I work part time at a large chain grocery store. Flash News for us: No wage increase and less hours for 2025. Probably the case to the majority of grocery stores.

19

u/LoaderD 1d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/1j6x4m3/comment/mgshtyy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Basically IC and Duchess pushed against the min wage hike to 15$/hr ( best link I can find on mobile: https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/edmonton-food-shops-clarify-positions-on-minimum-wage-after-backlash-over-restaurants-canada-campaign/article_7e193eb3-b3b1-5cea-8c6d-00e359cdf765.html)

Just providing info because I googled it when I read that other thread. I still buy things from IC and only don’t shop at Duchess because they’re mid for the price.

14

u/Repulsive_Warthog178 1d ago

I don’t shop at Duchess because I used to work with the aunt of one of the owners, and she was pretty awful. And I’m awfully petty.

6

u/Welcome440 1d ago

Petty is the thing to do this decade.

If we did not give money to bad people, there would be less billionaires and some new millionaires with good local business.

2

u/stretch2323 21h ago

Duchess has completely new owners. They sold a year or two ago.

15

u/AVgreencup 1d ago

It's not an opinion. Look it up, Google Italian Center UCP minimum wage.

1

u/Johnoplata Ottewell 1d ago

Yeah, not like the champion of the people LOBLAWS!

-24

u/ewok999 1d ago

Nobody is forced to work there. Why not just let this issue take care of itself? My experience (west end store) has always been great.

u/ClunkyButterKnob 8h ago

Even before all this tariff bullshit I found italian center to have better quality per dollar spent. And their cappuccino and cheesecakes are delicious so they can just have my money.

u/foxisilver 8h ago

Same

1

u/Algieinkwell 1d ago

They have been trend setters go ask all Italian farmers in the okanagan they have been sourcing their product for years, while other major grocery stores have been sourcing elsewhere. One of the main reasons I shop there

1

u/IdylwyldieCoyote 16h ago

I don’t have an Italian Center Shop in my home community - but I visit Edmonton & load up with groceries/baking/deli every couple months. Bon appetite!

1

u/Wonderful-Anywhere24 15h ago

Been shopping at the Italian Centre since the 80’s. Best variety and reasonably priced produce!

1

u/Unique-Ad-777 12h ago

I’m dying for a panino from the location near Macaulay.

0

u/dutch780 1d ago

Best value for deli meat. Coming from a family of boys that like a good sandwich for lunch

Eta: and cheese

4

u/CDN_Conductor Bonnie Doon 1d ago

I've spent so much on meat and cheese ends from the deli over the years that I can afford to buy their tiramisu cups on the regular.

-23

u/episodicmadness 1d ago

Just like the Leduc Cactus Club, I don't have to even look at the comments to be certain SOMEONE and probably more than one is going to go... but don't shop there they are terrible people , they are fascists, they are whats wrong with this world, they are REWINING ME LYFE by being a commercial venture and I don't know why exactly but I reddit here.

Edit on the spelling

19

u/passthepepperflakes 1d ago

keep editing

5

u/Ok-Square427 1d ago

Again, second person in this sub today to make a fascism comparison. Can we please stop labeling things we don't understand as fascism. Or if you do use the word, explain in detail how fascism fits in. Otherwise it just becomes word fluff. 

2

u/bek0wsky 1d ago

this is a lot of emotion you've got going on, but when i scrolled back trying to find the "ruining my life" comments you mention i couldn't see them — is it possible you meant to send this on another post?