Bridgeland Market is a Neighbourhood Staple in Calgary

by avenuecalgary

A man sits at an outdoor table with a cup in his hands. — Photo by Jared Sych.

Yousef Traya, owner of Bridgeland Market, has lived on the same block as the store for more than 40 years. “We were always the kids that lived above the grocery store,” he says.

Traya comes from a long line of grocery store entrepreneurs. Starting in 1981, his mother Fatme and late father, Nawaf, owned several businesses in Bridgeland, including a grocery store, an ice cream shop, and Tazza Deli & Grill, a popular Mediterranean restaurant that closed in the spring of 2020. “We’ve always had grocery stores in our family,” Traya says. “In Calgary alone, between my relatives, we’ve had over 15 different convenience stores throughout the years.”

The colourful interior of a market — Photo by Jared Sych.

But Traya’s approach to Bridgeland Market is very different from his relatives’ convenience-focused approach. He emphasizes quality products and service, making his store a community hub that welcomes everyone and anyone in the neighbourhood. “We have a cheese case with different varieties of cheese. We have a ready-made meal section. We have a bakery. We have a chef. We have five different kinds of tomatoes. We also have a florist. And you can come get your espressos and cappuccinos.”

A man holds a sandwich in his hand. — Photo by Jared Sych.

Produce inside a local grocery store — Photo by Jared Sych.

Traya aims to meet the changing needs of Bridgeland’s changing residents. “We have evolved with the neighbourhood and try to service the community, and make it not exclusive but inclusive.”

Traya’s parents built Bridgeland Market into a community cornerstone, and Traya intends to carry that on. “I’m most proud of what [my parents] accomplished, and the legacy they have given to me and my siblings.”

1104 1 Ave. N.E., 403-269-2381, bridgelandmarket.com

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