The Einkorn Shoppe by Food Haven

The Einkorn Shoppe is carving out a unique place in Ontario’s food landscape as Canada’s only exclusive Einkorn bakery. Led by founder Gibbs Petit-Frère, the business is rooted in a mission to revive ancient grains—specifically Einkorn wheat—as a healthy, accessible alternative to modern wheat products. Einkorn, often referred to as “nature’s original wheat,” contains a simpler gluten structure that is easier to digest, making it especially appealing to gluten-sensitive and health-conscious consumers.

Currently, The Einkorn Shoppe is establishing a combined milling and baking production site, featuring a retail storefront and café, in Oakville. The goal is not only to produce and sell sourdough loaves, bagels, and buns made from Einkorn flour, but also to create a local marketplace that brings together a wide range of small-scale Ontario agricultural producers. Through a cooperative-style retail model, the Shoppe aims to showcase and sell preserves, maple syrups, cheeses, and more—offering farmers a rare opportunity to bring their goods directly into a high-traffic urban retail space.

The business is tackling several challenges as it prepares to launch. Finding skilled labour has been difficult; because artisan bread baking with Einkorn is so specialized, there are few training programs or experienced bakers familiar with its unique properties. Recognizing this, the team is building time and resources into its launch phase to train new staff from the ground up. It’s a steep learning curve, but one they’re committed to navigating to build a sustainable, values-driven business.

With financing from the Fair Finance Fund, The Einkorn Shoppe is making key investments in leasehold improvements and capital equipment needed to open its space. This includes plumbing and electrical work, interior layout construction, display and branding elements, and the wages needed to support staff training in the critical first month. Fair Finance Fund is proud to support this effort to reimagine both bread and retail in Ontario—supporting local agriculture, shortening the food supply chain, and creating healthier, more resilient communities one loaf at a time.