The Sweet Potato is an independent grocery store with an emphasis on local and organic products and community values.

It started out as the High Park Organic Market, then quickly blossomed into a full-fledged store. By now demand has risen to such a level that they’ve moved out of that original location into their current spot in a hundred-year-old building.

Almost four times the size of the original store, the place used to be an old cereal factory that actually had train tracks running through it so freight could be loaded up. After that it also house Canadian Rogers Eastern Limited, a metal fabrication company that supplied projects such as City Hall.

Original hundred-year-old wood was used for the ceiling, and other rustic fixtures like the customer service counter were designed by Forever Interiors.

Probably one of the best things about The Sweet Potato is the level of rare and quality produce and groceries obtainable here.

This is in part because the store has a strong relationship with its customers: requests are easy to make, and products might arrive as quickly as a week.

The store now boasts an all-natural, sustainable butcher counter with its own butcher/meat and seafood manager, something they never had before.

All meat is clearly labeled, like these lamb sirloin chops ($21.99) from Buschbeck Farm in Markdale, Ontario.

There’s now a whole cheese island with lots of Canadian, organic and vegan options.

Ready-made items go from wraps and sandwiches ($6.99) to some delicious and wholesome mac n’ cheese and meatballs all the way up to whole rotisserie chickens ($13.99 for a whole bird and $8.49 for a half), all prepared right in the store.

Three hot soups such as chicken and rice, Mexican black bean, and tomato, lentil and greens are available daily.

You can also purchase their ready-made soups and stews to take home.

They also bake their own cookies ($1.89) in varieties like salted chewy chocolate, chocolate chip, ginger molasses crinkle and peanut butter.

There are an amazing variety of popular natural soda and beverage brands including Zevia and LaCroix.

The store has its own dedicated health and beauty manager and a range of Canadian products, and high end natural brands like Weleda and Hauschka.

The expanded store has a completely separate apothecary with its own entrance.

Here you’ll find all your supplements and much more, and professional brands recommended by naturopaths like Genestra and NFH.

You’ll also find probiotics here. The apothecary has its own nutritionist with the expertise to help you sort through it all.

In the previous store there was no room to enjoy The Sweet Potato’s ready-made goods, but now there’s plenty of seating.

This location also has its own free parking lot, and they offer carry-out service.