Summerhill Market

Summerhill Market

Type	Private
Industry	Retail (Grocery)
Founded	1954 (1954)
Founder	Frank McMullen
Number of locations	6 (as of 2025)
Key people	Brad and Christy McMullen (Owners)
Products	Grocery, prepared meals, catering
Website	summerhillmarket.com

Summerhill Market is a Canadian family-owned, independent grocery chain headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Established in 1954 by Frank McMullen, the business has grown over the decades to become a recognized specialty food retailer, known for its in-house prepared meals, curated grocery offerings, and long-standing commitment to quality and customer service.

History

Summerhill Market was founded in 1954 by Frank McMullen in the Rosedale neighbourhood of Toronto. Initially launched as a small store next to the then-existing Rosedale Market, the business began as a partnership between Frank and his brother. After five years, Frank assumed full ownership and began to shape the store's operations around personalized service and curated product selections.

Frank McMullen’s early background included work in education, having served as a teacher and principal in Orono, Ontario. His experiences contributed to a strong focus on discipline, work ethic, and community values that were embedded into the business. Frank remained actively involved in operations until shortly before his 89th birthday.

The McMullen family has continued to operate the company across generations. Frank’s sons Bob, Wayne, and Barry all contributed full-time to the business. Bob McMullen, in particular, played a pivotal role from the mid-1970s until the early 2000s. Today, Bob’s children—Brad McMullen and Christy McMullen—manage the business full-time, with Bob still serving in an advisory capacity. Brad McMullen is President and CEO, while Christy McMullen acts as Treasurer and CFO.

Growth and Expansion

Summerhill Market's growth over the decades reflects a combination of strategic planning, generational leadership, and a consistent focus on quality and community engagement. After its founding in 1954 by Frank McMullen in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood, the business operated as a modest local grocery store. In 1982, responding to increased customer demand, the store was expanded into a larger location. A decade later, in 1992, the company undertook the construction of a new, purpose-built store on the same street to better accommodate its growing product range and customer base. The year 2001 marked another key milestone, as the Rosedale location was doubled in size to support expanded services and product offerings, particularly in the prepared food and specialty grocery categories.

In 2011, Summerhill Market expanded beyond its original footprint through the acquisition of Sherwood Market, a long-standing neighbourhood grocery store. This location was subsequently rebranded under the Summerhill Market name and integrated into the company’s operational model. In 2017, the company invested in the development of a dedicated commissary facility to streamline and scale its in-house food production. This move enabled the business to maintain control over quality and expand its line of prepared meals, which would become a signature offering across all locations.

With operational capacity in place, Summerhill Market entered a phase of rapid retail expansion. In 2019, it opened its third location in the Annex at 1014 Bathurst Street, bringing its unique offerings to a new Toronto neighbourhood. In 2021, the company launched its largest location to date at 484 Eglinton Avenue West in the Forest Hill area. This store, spanning 7,200 square feet across two floors, includes modern amenities such as an elevator and an on-site parking lot, designed to enhance the customer experience. In 2022, Summerhill Market extended its reach beyond the City of Toronto for the first time, with the opening of a location in Aurora at 32 Wellington Street West. This was followed by the 2023 opening of its Dundas Street West location at 3609 Dundas Street, further solidifying the brand’s presence in Toronto’s west end.

Each expansion phase has been marked by an emphasis on maintaining the brand’s core values: offering high-quality, curated grocery selections, supporting local and independent food producers, and providing a personalized shopping experience. Today, with six retail locations, a centralized commissary, and a growing team of over 500 employees, Summerhill Market continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the principles established by its founder more than seven decades ago.

Services and Products

Summerhill Market is known for its extensive prepared food program, which includes a range of chef-crafted items from comfort food to international cuisine. The prepared food team is led by culinary professionals, including chef Bart Desiron, who has worked to elevate the offerings to restaurant-quality standards.

Other product highlights include:

• Specialty and Health Foods: Catering to paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary preferences.
• Local and Independent Brands: The company supports emerging food brands and artisans.
• Bakery and Deli: Housemade baked goods, deli meats, and cheeses.
• Gourmet and International Products: Includes imported and specialty pantry staples.
• Kosher and Plant-Based Options: Select locations, such as the Forest Hill store, feature dedicated kosher sections.

Locations

As of 2025, Summerhill Market operates six retail stores across the Greater Toronto Area, including Rosedale, Sherwood, Annex, Eglinton, Aurora, and Dundas locations. Rosedale store is the chain’s largest at 9,500 square feet and includes customer-friendly features like an elevator and ample parking. Eglinton is second largest at 7200 but is under construction for a 3600sq ft expansion opening in early 2026 and it will then be largest.

The head office is located at 446 Summerhill Avenue, Toronto, which also houses the original store.

Company Structure and Leadership

The company is managed by third-generation family members and as of 2025, Summerhill Market employs over 500 staff across its operations.

• Brad McMullen – President and CEO
• Christy McMullen – Treasurer and CFO
• Bob McMullen – Chairman
• Bart Desiron – Director of Prepared Foods
• Matthew Rogge – Vice President of Operations
• Amanda Giglio – Director of Human Resources

Recognition and Awards

• In October 2022, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) recognized Summerhill Market with two national awards:
• David C. Parsons Award for Excellence in Specialty Store Retailing (Rosedale location)
• Small Surface Gold Award – Ontario Region (Forest Hill location)

Community Involvement

While not heavily publicized in media, Summerhill Market has participated in charitable activities supporting organizations such as Emily’s House and Motionball for Special Olympics.

Branding and Identity

Since its founding, the business has operated under the name Summerhill Market. The name is associated with the original store’s location in the Summerhill area of Toronto. The brand is often described as upscale, independent, and community-focused.

External links

• Company website
• Summerhill Market on Facebook
• Summerhill Market on Instagram