Toronto: Mangaloreans and Kannadigas in Canada now have a new reason to celebrate as ‘Bearys Supermarket’ opens its doors in Mississauga, Toronto, on February 1, 2025. This unique venture is the first of its kind in Canada, offering a one-stop destination for people from Dakshina Kannada and Karnataka to reconnect with their roots through food and culture.
In a country where traditional Indian groceries and regional delicacies can sometimes be hard to find, ‘Bearys Supermarket’ fills a much-needed gap by offering authentic ingredients, ready-to-eat meals, and fresh Mangalorean specialties. This supermarket is more than just a place to shop; it is a cultural hub designed to cater to the growing community of Kannadigas, particularly those from the coastal regions of Karnataka, who are yearning for a taste of home.
The founders of ‘Bearys Supermarket’, Hafeez Abdul Kader, Muneer Ahamad, and Hashim Ashraf, recognized the struggles faced by the Kannadiga diaspora, especially those missing the authentic flavors of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and other parts of Karnataka. With a deep passion for their roots, they decided to create a space where people could not only purchase essential cooking ingredients but also enjoy freshly prepared traditional Mangalorean meals. The store is an embodiment of their shared commitment to preserve and promote the rich culinary heritage of Karnataka in Canada.
The supermarket promises to offer a wide variety of Mangalorean dishes that have become staples in the kitchens of families in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Customers can find everything from the ingredients to cook their favorite Mangalore-style curries, sukka, pulimunchi, and kori roti, to freshly prepared meals that bring the comfort of home-cooked food without the hassle. These iconic dishes, often difficult to find outside India, will now be available for those craving the familiar, bold, and flavorful taste of Mangalorean cuisine.
‘Bearys Supermarket’ is also set to serve a wide range of Mangalorean snacks, beloved by the community for generations. Delicacies like goli baje, Mangalore buns, pathrode, neer dosa, khara roti, and banana fry, which have long been cherished by Mangaloreans, will now be available for purchase, giving people the opportunity to relive the tastes of their childhood and celebrate their culinary traditions.
While the supermarket is a haven for Mangaloreans, it also plays a significant role in the broader Kannadiga community. The Beary community, an ethnic Muslim group from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, shares deep cultural ties with the wider Kannada-speaking population. Although the Beary people have their unique identity, language (Beary Bashe), and customs, they are an integral part of the larger Kannadiga cultural fabric.
The founders of Bearys Supermarket chose to name the store after the Beary community as a tribute to their shared roots, ensuring that the supermarket serves as a platform not only for Mangaloreans but also for all Kannadigas. By incorporating Beary culture and cuisine into the supermarket’s offerings, they are bridging the gap between different groups of Kannadigas living in Canada, bringing them closer to their homeland through the universal language of food.
Beary Bashe, the language spoken by the Beary people, is a unique blend of Tulu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Arabic, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the coastal regions of Karnataka. Through the supermarket, the founders aim to honor this heritage while welcoming all Kannadigas to experience the flavors of their homeland, irrespective of their specific community.
Bearys Supermarket is not just a grocery store; it is envisioned as a cultural hub where people can come together, share stories, and celebrate their shared identity. Food has always been a central part of Mangalorean and Kannadiga culture, and the founders want to ensure that no one in Canada has to miss out on the flavors that define their heritage. The supermarket’s creation is not only about satisfying culinary cravings but also about fostering a sense of belonging among the Kannadiga diaspora.
The launch of Bearys Supermarket also holds significance for the Beary community in Canada. Over the years, the Beary community has been steadily growing in Canada, leading to the formation of the Bearys Association of Canada, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Beary language, art, and culture. The association has been working to create a strong sense of unity and pride among Beary people, and Bearys Supermarket aligns with their goals by providing a space where people can connect over shared cultural experiences.
For years, Mangaloreans and other Kannadigas living in Canada have faced challenges in accessing traditional Indian ingredients and foods that remind them of home. The opening of Bearys Supermarket marks a milestone in addressing this issue. Not only will the supermarket provide fresh Mangalorean meals and snacks, but it will also carry essential ingredients like spices, lentils, flours, and rice varieties, sourced directly from Karnataka. This will allow customers to recreate the authentic flavors of Dakshina Kannada and other parts of Karnataka in their own kitchens, bringing a piece of their homeland to their everyday lives.
The supermarket’s founders, Hafeez Abdul Kader, Muneer Ahamad, and Hashim Ashraf, have extensive experience in business and customer service, which has allowed them to create a space that feels like home for their fellow Kannadigas. With a focus on quality, authenticity, and community engagement, they have ensured that Bearys Supermarket is more than just a business; it is a place where people can come together to celebrate their cultural heritage and find comfort in the food they grew up with.
The grand opening of Bearys Supermarket is scheduled for February 1, 2025, and it is expected to attract a large number of Mangaloreans, Kannadigas, and food enthusiasts from across the region. The store’s opening marks a significant development for the growing Kannadiga community in Canada, who have long sought a space to access traditional groceries and enjoy the culinary flavors that define their culture.
