TOMMY LONGO
(1934 - 2011)
Tommy’s leadership, bold vision and steadfast commitment to always putting our guests first created the strong foundation from which the company would grow and succeed since 1956. His love of family, and values of honesty, trustworthiness, mutual respect and voglia remain at the heart of our operations, and everything that we do.
JOE LONGO SR.
(1938 - 2008)
Joe’s imagination and creativity pioneered new standards in merchandising and displays. His drive to create memorable sensory experiences garnered multiple industry awards, and created practices still used and admired in-store today. His disciplined nature, and desire for continuous improvement fostered a culture of innovation and lifelong learning at Longo’s.
GUS LONGO
1948 – PRESENT
Gus’ entrepreneurial spirit, passion and grit propelled the company forward and contributed to its continued growth. Known for his attention to detail, Gus frequently visits our stores ensuring our Team Members are providing the same care to products, services and guests that he and his brothers established back in 1956.
Brothers Tommy, Joe and Gus open Broadway Fruit Market at Yonge St. & Castlefield Ave. It was a small, 1,500 square foot store committed to providing customers with the best fresh food experience possible. Three generations later, this philosophy remains integral to this family-owned and operated company.
After the lease was up on the Broadway location, the Brothers open the doors to Longo’s Fruit Markets at Woodbine Ave. & Mortimer Ave., beginning the family’s journey to grow and serve communities across Greater Toronto and Southwestern Ontario. Joe Longo Sr. and his family lived in the house next to the store.
With some of the second generation of Longo family members now working in the business, the founders open their third location in Oakville at Dundas St. & Trafalgar Rd. A store surrounded by farmland was a bold move, but a risk the brothers were willing to take.
Tommy’s son Anthony is appointed as President & CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. The Longo’s Family Charitable Foundation is also formally established to complement corporate charitable initiatives, with a mandate to support Emerging Health Research and Child & Youth Leadership Development Initiatives, helping to build healthier, happier communities.
Learn More
Longo’s acquires Grocery Gateway becoming the leader in online grocery delivery. Back in 1956, telephone orders and grocery delivery represented 50% of the business. This desire to continue to provide innovative, value-added service and convenience to our guests continues all these years later through Grocery Gateway by Longo’s.
Longo’s celebrates its 50th Anniversary with its guests, vendor-partners and their extended family of team members. On the heels of their anniversary, Tommy, Joe and Gus were awarded the Life Membership Award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, ultimately cementing the Longo’s legacy and its contribution to the industry.
Longo’s Support Centre located in Vaughan achieves LEED® certification for the implementation of a variety of green building strategies, including the installation of 44,000 square feet of rooftop solar panels, a bioswale filtration system in place of sprinklers to water our greenspaces, and a powerful natural gas generator that supports the Ontario Power Authority as part of the provincial Demand Response Program. Initiatives like these paved the way for the installation of solar panels and electrical vehicle charging stations at several Longo’s locations.
By the end of 2019, the company will grow to 36 stores including a new, urban store in Liberty Village and our new Pronto Eats innovative concept. The Longo Family continues to grow with many members of the third generation building careers within the business while championing the founders’ vision.
