Longos at Maple Leaf Square, opened in 2010, image by Craig White

With an influx of new residents in many parts of the GTA, and especially downtown, we have been witnessing a commensurate expansion of grocery retailing of late. That is not surprising when described so simply, but it is still something that was not happening other than in the outer suburbs only a decade ago. In 2011 the opening of new full-size grocery stores hit a new high, and while the number could still be tallied on your fingers, one particularly large star store drew such attention that there were several days after the opening that you had to line up to get in.

It seems possibly foolish to pit other stores against that one - the new Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens - in a popularity contest, but the results could be instructive nevertheless. Has all the fascination with this store translated into admiration and loyalty? Or are the other new entries in the GTA just as well thought of? Some new stores focus on more on cheap prices than on shopping as spectacle and entertainment. Some new stores just try to bring convenience to an underserved local population. What's most important to you? Cast your vote below!