Zoup! Fresh Soup Company
Zoup (
www.zoup.com) is coming to Waterloo. The U.S.-based franchise will open it first Zoup! Fresh Soup Company restaurant in Waterloo, tentatively in May, under the ownership/operation of franchisee, Daryl Hunter. It will be located at Waterloo Town Square fronting on Willis Way.
Founded in 1998, Zoup! restaurants specialize in “award-winning” soups using “nothing but the finest and natural ingredients,” according to a press release.
The menu rotates with a dozen soup varieties offered on any given day. Hunter learned of the company when he began exploring franchise opportunities — given our cold climate, he said a soup franchise in southwestern Ontario would be a good fit. In the warmer months, cold soups will be available. Sandwiches and salads are also on the menu.
Hunter’s restaurant will be the first Zoup location in Canada. There are 30 in the U.S.
Currently living in Harrietsville, near London, Ont., Hunter said he will move to Waterloo Region with his family and focus his time on his new business. He previously worked for a software company.
Zoup seats 40.
100 Mile Market Inc.
Kitchener-based food distribution company 100 Mile Market Inc. (
www.100milemarket.com; 519-741-0885) is expanding to include online food sales to consumers. According to a press release, the company sources the “best available local products” and makes them available to consumers online through its Fresh@Home program with pickup at 235 Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.
The 100 Mile Market company got its start in 2007 (co-founders are Albert Knab, Paul Knechtel and Chris McKittrick), supplying restaurants, caterers and chefs with the freshest selection of local products. Schools, specialty retailers, hospitals and long-term care facilities also among its customers.
Lilies White
Lilies White (
www.lilieswhite.com) is on the move. With a tentative moving date of late April, the retail floral and home accessories store will reopen in Kitchener’s Belmont Village, 740 Belmont Ave. W., in the former Vincenzo’s location.
The premises is a bit bigger than the current store at Waterloo Town Square, where the business has been since 2006 and will give it “a larger work space for staff,” said store manager Deb Jasinski.
Borealis Grille and Bar
A Borealis Grille and Bar (
www.borealisgrille.ca; 519-219-9007) restaurant has opened in Kitchener at Sportsworld Crossing, 4336 King St. E. Owned by the Neighbourhood Group of Companies (NGC), it’s located in the old Pine Grove School House.
NGC operates the Borealis Grille in Guelph, which opened two years ago, and as well as Woolwich Arrow Pub in Guelph, which has been around for more than 21 years.
According to a press release, the philosophy of NGC restaurants is to serve food and beverages sourced in Ontario.
Did you know?
The Inception clothing store in downtown Kitchener, 26 King St. E., is closing March 27. It was co-owned by Erin Young and Andre Atkins. In an emailed note, they said “it is time now to move on to other endeavours.” The store opened in 2005.
