For anyone of Polish descent, it’s hard to say what might feel more at home than being at the A&E Market + Deli.
Whether it’s the decor that resembles a traditional café in Krakow, or the rich and authentic scents wafting out of the in-house kitchen, co-owners Elizabeth Tyszko and Anna Banasik-Mrowca have created an eastern European go-to spot packed with tradition.
Since opening their doors on Dec. 13, bringing those pieces of home to the Guelph community seemed like a traditional Polish celebration over the holiday season.
“In Poland, shops like this are very common, that have both a market and deli. You can sit down, have coffee and talk with your friends,” Tyszko said.
“For the Polish community here, we all have that feeling of missing Poland. As a foreigner from a different country, this really is like bringing a little piece of our culture here.”
Tyszko said she and Banasik-Mrowca are eager to share their culture with others at A&E Market + Deli, located at 460 York Rd. where visitors can eat in the quaint dining area, or just get their meals to go.
“People can see where we come from, how we cook, and how we greet people. We want to be welcoming to the neighbourhood and to everyone.”
Tyszko believes the demand for ethnic produce continues to grow, as does the Polish community in Guelph.
But with the opening of the new market and deli, Poles no longer need to travel elsewhere to find their favourite traditional fare.
“It looks like something like this has been wanted for a very long time. And people are responding,” Banasik-Mrowca said.
“We are so super excited and overwhelmed by the response and watching everyone here work together. We are very happy to support the community.”
The market/deli’s popularity, however, isn’t confined to just the Polish community.
It is quickly becoming a go-to for anyone seeking hearty, flavourful and authentic eastern European cuisine within The Ward.
“We are finding that people really want to try everything. They love Polish food. We cook every morning. Everything is always fresh,” Tyszko said.
“My daughter and Anna’s daughter and son work here too. And her mom comes in to help in the kitchen as well.”
For those seeking imported European specialties, A&E Market + Deli carries a variety of Polish favourites including the ever-popular kielbasa, pâtés, hams, sausages, cheeses, an array of dry goods, jams, chocolates and desserts.
Each day, the kitchen prepares a variety of hot meals that showcase the rich and hearty flavours of Poland including cabbage rolls (golabki) and pierogi, dumplings that can be filled with various ingredients such as cheese and potatoes, meat and sauerkraut, or even fruits.
Another staple is bigos, a rich stew made of sauerkraut and meat.
As for soups, the classic beet borscht, or dill pickle soup are must-tries for anyone craving authentic flavours.
“We have a crepe and waffle bar. As for our pastries, we have lots of Polish cakes. And we have paczki, Polish donuts with a variety of fillings, including something new, which is paczki with a pistachio filling,” Tyszko said.
“We have our traditional dishes, but we do try to take a new spin on them, and change them up a little bit.”
Tyszko and Banasik-Mrowca are not only business partners. They are best friends.
“I have been in Guelph for over 21 years. I met Anna the first year I moved here with my family. There was a BBQ party at her house. Our kids were of similar ages at that time. So, we began a friendship, and we have been close ever since,” Tyszko said.
The idea to open a traditional market and deli began five years ago.
“We travel a lot together, and we got inspired,” Tyszko said.
“We always talked about opening a shop like this. We didn't have something like this in Guelph. I think it is important to continue the culture. This brings value to the neighbourhood, the country, and all over,” Tyszko said.
As close friends, Tyszko and Banasik-Mrowc hope people will visit and feel like they are part of a community.
“When you sit down, you can say hello and talk about your day,” Tyszko said.
“People have so many choices. They can have a coffee, a dessert, a hot meal, or they can go shopping. There really is something for everybody. We want to build a community here.”
In the future, the pair hopes to add more traditions from home at A&E Market + Deli.
“For our menu, we will change it up in the summer months to include more salads,” Tyszko said.
“And maybe in the springtime, we will have a patio and an open window, where we can sell treats like crepes and waffles. We have so many ideas. Month by month we will see and we will just go with the flow.”
For Tyszko, the new business serves as a bridge between generations that can strengthen bonds within a community.
“The Polish community is growing in Guelph. We have second and third generations here and they want this. They want to continue,” Tyszko said.
“To share this with my best friend, we want to share our passion with others. When we travel, we love those European vibes, and we want to bring those vibes here.”
