Shops in Montreal offer wholesome options, not your average deep-dish

Forget sugar-laden chocolate bars and over-salted bags of chips, a new Montreal store offers healthier options and is now open in multiple locations across the city.

The people behind Kalemart 24 hope to make healthy eating affordable by offering a selection of healthy options

“We've worked hard to make sure the concept isn't like any convenience store,” said Kalemart 24 founder Oussama “Sam” Saoudi.

The first location opened in March at the Berri-UQAM metro station, and the second at the Jarry metro station in March.

A third location will soon open near the Bell Center in downtown Montreal.

“I think we should see more of this type of concept because it's important to see viable options in the market,” said customer Irri Lorfils.

Saudi hopes to redefine the concept of health options by keeping things local.

“We're from Montreal, (and) we wanted to support local companies, whether they're from Montreal or Quebec, so we took that into account,” he said.

Shops include salads from Mandy's, Aux Vivres vegetarian bowls and other local produce.

“It's convenient for me when I come in, I'm on the subway, (so) it's great,” said customer Kevin McLean. “I like the idea of ​​having things like this available because you're not going to find them at IGA or Loblaws, you're going to find one or two of them anyway, but it's great to have such a wide variety.”

While the cost of organic food may scare off some customers, Saudi said the store's prices are competitive.

“KaleMart24 will be the next Couche-Tard,” he said. “It's going to replace the traditional stores that you see around you because the next generation — millennials, Gen Z — are really looking for products, the kind of products that we carry.”

It plans to open more stores in Saudi near McGill University and in Gatineau.