| Our history 1961 They meet in Montreal after arriving from their native Greece. And within a year, John Pitsikoulis, the founder of the firm, and Angeliki, the woman who became his wife, open a tiny greengrocery in downtown Montreal. Every morning at 6 (“the newer the day, the better the choice”) John, not yet a driver, arrives by bus at the Marché Central. At around 8 a.m., a friend with a station wagon picks him up, with his purchases, and drives him back downtown. During this time, Angeliki has opened the store. They sell only top-quality produce to their local clientele. A handwritten sign – “Look around” – prompts customers to enter and inspect the merchandise. This “wordless premium service” is handy and practical, since John and Angeliki speak very little English and even less French. The days are long and usually end, after tallying the books and cleaning the shop, well into the evening. This goes on for months. 
Before long John buys a second store. In order to keep them both stocked, he buys his first light truck. But increasing the retail space doesn’t decrease the degree of difficulty, he discovers. Soon they have to reduce expenses. There’s no question of selling a lesser quality of produce. Nor – even less – of “adjusting” the scales. John and Angeliki decide to leave their apartment and move into the back of their first store. 1962 Birth of the first son: Michael. As they can’t afford a babysitter, the happy parents keep the newborn close by – in the back of the shop, bundled up in a straw-filled wooden banana box. 1963 Birth of the second son: George. |
The mid and late 1960s John buys and sells a number of grocery stores, as opportunities arise and circumstances allow. Expo 67 is a sales catalyst in that it’s an impetus in the transformation of eating habits ¬– and consumer tastes broaden at the same rate that new products become available. 1971 Birth of the third son: Nick. An experienced team By now the founder of the firm has over 60 employees who share his love of work well done, his emphasis on client service, his insistence on buying the products his clients require and not strictly high-profit items. By this time, Michael and George are helping out, school permitting, on a regular basis. 1979 A warehouse at last It’s as a result of supplying produce to the Mont Carmel greengrocer’s chain – which John establishes as the years go by – that the notion of moving into distribution is born. Mont Carmel requires the distribution of a wide variety of fresh produce to meet the needs of each store’s area and client base. Thus not only do the stores offer ever more exotic fare – they do so according to the specific tastes of consumers in specific areas. And the philosophy of the future company begins to take form. 
By this time John finds himself in a position to buy a 15,000-square-foot warehouse in Saint-Laurent. This is big enough for awhile – more space for provisioning more produce under the best possible conditions is soon needed. |
1983 Michael is now 21, George 20. They know the business from the ground up and their involvement is as appreciated by the father/founder as it is by the firm’s clients. After several months of preparation, John Pitsikoulis decides to focus his energy on becoming a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. On the 23rd of December the name CANADAWIDE is chosen and soon made public. 
1989 Retail division is sold off and the focus is entirely on wholesale. 1991 Nick, the third son, now works alongside his two brothers. The family business is in full momentum. 2001 Canadawide establishes its premises at the Marché Central. They include vast storage areas, numerous distribution docks and highly efficient administrative offices. Today Canadawide is managed by Michael, George and Nick Pitsikoulis under the watchful eye of their father, John. Numerous associates, some of whose dealings with the family date back to the 1960s, continue to work alongside John and his sons. They uphold the Pitsikoulis quality-first philosophy, the credo that underlies the company’s reputation and cements client satisfaction. Canadawide is more than efficient service and multiple levels of quality products. Of equally pivotal importance are employee, supplier and client relationships ... and, of course, great respect for the produce itself. John Pitsikoulis continues to live by his original values – courtesy, respect, composure at all times – and today (and tomorrow and the day after) instils them in his 150-some employees. |
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After arriving from their native Greece, and within a year, John Pitsikoulis, the founder of the firm, and Angeliki, his wife, open a tiny greengrocery in downtown Montreal.
At Canadawide we encourage our buyers to source new produce from every corner of the world.
615 Marché Central street, suite 300
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4N 3J5.
Phone: 514.382.3232 / Fax: 514.382.3346
E-mail: info@canadawidefruits.com