Pete’s

Okay place.
I like the set up, always clean.
Service I would give it 6.5 Im guessing they need more people.
Fresh orange juice… yes plz

Let’s see where to start. A few weeks ago I got a haircut upstairs in the same building as this establishment. Afterwards I wanted to get some pomegranate with the arils knocked out, they will do that there for you for 4.99. When I arrive there was only one person on the floor I was left waiting there for 30 minutes. So I left disgusted with the poor customer service. Then I called to make a complaint to which I was put in contact with Mr. Frank Yunace. He is not a very nice person at all. He advised me to stay away from the store for two days while he figured this out and he would call me back. When he called me back over a week later, my family was entering my apartment for a visit and they live 3 hours away, needless to say they got to hear this man yelling at me at the top of his lungs saying I was banned from the location as soon as they entered my apartment. No real reason given. Now today I have received official notice of this ban from the Law offices of Stewart and McKelvey. I have never felt so disgusted in my life to be treated this way. I could be super malicious and post a video of a rat I seen running around your store in the bakery department, but I will not stoop that low. Bottom line is I will not be giving money to Sobey’s or this chain ever again. Now I have to get a family member to go in and get them to change 500 dollars of gift certificates over to cash. Mr. Frank Yunace, you are a terrible person of low honor and even lower intellect, yelling over someone to make your point in a dispute is not a sign of intelligence. I’ll be considering fighting this, since I am far from poor. Bottom line is customer service at this location was always bad. From slow service, to no service, to people that do not know what they are doing. I feel that I have been mistreated by this location and bullied by Mr. Frank Yunace. Even if I won a civil suit against your location I am not going to return. I’m guessing that Mr. Yunace was the type of person in high school that would push people around for fun and after grade 12 he maybe got a sports scholarship. I am betting he went to Saint Mary’s University and played football, probably the only thing that helped him pass his degree. Also he probably either dropped out of university or just passed by with all Cs. Because anyone with a bit of dignity would have presented a valid argument instead of yelling. But I’m gonna guess that he passed with all Cs because of the position he holds. But I digress, again I hope he knows that I was not the only witness of his yelling when he was on speaker phone when my family arrived. Sadly his actions ruined our day together and I will never forgive him for that. I will never support this store again or Sobey’s the company that recently bought them out. The farmer’s market has better produce and less rats than this location so I am not that sad about being banned. Just angry at the way I was treated for making a complaint about their customer service. I would advise anyone else that is thinking of complaining to Mr. Yunace to think twice before doing so or you may end up banned like me. I have still not received a valid reason for this action from Mr. Notsonice or the law firm they sent after me. Needless to say I may need to seek legal counsel on this matter. When I have time to do so. But on that note, I truly feel sorry for anyone that has to deal with this man in real life. He is like a powder keg waiting to explode. Also expect me to down vote your location on every rating site the internet provides. This is within my civil right to do so. As per entering your premises again, like I said not even if I win a counter civil suit. This all falls under the protection of property act and I never damaged any of their property or behaved in a disrespectful manner as to hamper their sales, and I also have never been banned from a retail location before. I am an upstanding citizen and I do not deserve this treatment, for simply complaining about your bad customer service. Also, today I just finished filling out the long form of 2016 Census of Canada and then I log onto my email to find an email message from that law firm. With all that said cheers. What a great freaking way to end a day. I wonder if I will get pushed around anymore before I get to sleep tonight. Time will tell.

I admit I am obsessed with Pete’s fresh fruits and vegetables. They carry almost everything that one may think it’s hard to find in Halifax. I have found so many such items. The staff is nice and friendly, they do happily help you if any assistance required. It’s a hidden gem in HFX downtown.
One truth that can’t be ignored is that they are overpriced but you also get what you pay for! It’s worth a try. Wide variety of cheese, fruits, vegetables. I feel good when I see fresh food in a grocery store rather than the frozen ones. If you are looking for a particular item and can’t find it in any other store, try at Petes. I’m positive about it.

This is my review for the Gluten Free Eatery:
Another place I had wanted to try out ever since I moved here almost 3 years ago.
Honestly, I was a bit scared since there stuff is not marked whether it is vegan or not. However, if you asked the staff they are super knowledgeable on what is and what isn’t. There soups are normally vegan and they offer a salad wrap that is vegan. On top of that they offer a plant milk for drinks, as well as having a bottle of agave for sweetening next to the cash area. They have lots of baked goods as well, many of which are vegan. Cupcakes and muffins are vegan if they have a brown wrapper, white means not vegan. The nanaimo squares and a brownie with peanut butter frosting is also vegan. They also have date balls and chocolate bark that is vegan. And also carry O’Dell’s oatcakes that are vegan.
I had a soup and wrap today and it was extremely tasty and my friend bought me a cupcake and seriously, I can’t believe it’s gluten free! Simply amazing!
Great service and lots of options. Definitely a new favourite spot.

Had sandwiches there to go for a group. No one really liked them. Interesting things there. Produce very fresh. But there too pricey. Liked there import products. Really over rated novelty produce stor

love petes! always have a great selection of quality produce as well as other items. they have a great bakery section and i love buying their vegan coconut ice creams. they make smoothies in store as well with fresh produce which are amazing!!! they look small but are made of pure fruits/​veggies and are quite filling! love it.

This place is epic. Foods from all continents (except Antarctica obviously) and numerous ethnicities.
Love the jalapeño popcorn shrimp…
Everything is reasonably priced depending on its rarity.
I would definitely shop here repeatedly. Ive always heard about ‘crisps’ on BBC and Petes has them.
Highly recommended

Outstanding place for lunch or groceries. I loved the imported section of items from the UK, they are so hard to find! The selection of cheese is also amazing, everything is extremely fresh. Vegan friendly. Stop in here, you won’t be sorry!

Great place to go if you want dirty hipsters touching your food and to pay over the top prices for groceries. I only go to Pete’s for odd items I cannot get elsewhere (rare cheeses, brisket, some British foods they import). The reason I give them a 3 star and not a 2 star is because Christmas time there is flat out amazing. So many yummy foods. Too bad the hipsters claimed this place.

Yesterday I stopped in to wander around the imported foods section, which I do often.
I was looking for something sweet and different. I decided to pick up some marzipan, dipped in chocolate. There was only one option in the candy bar section, the only tag referring to marzipan, read $ 2.79.
So I picked it up and went through the cash, however it rang up as $ 7.49. So I asked the cashier about the price. He had me walk over the section with him, the entire way, he was commenting on how there are so many tags, I must have read them wrong.
When we got to the shelf, he looked at the tag, it was the correct brand name, the correct description, but he said «oh this isn’t the correct item». He had to confirm by looking at the UPC code on the product and the tag.
He them started walking back to the cash, and repeatedly said «Well, I guess if you want a refund, we could do that»…OF COURSE I WANTED A REFUND, IT WAS OVER PRICED BY $ 5…
I also mentioned, that perhaps he should remove the incorrect tag, so this doesn’t happen again., He sighed, and finally went back and grabbed the tag. Again, he said” well, If you want a refund…”
**** I asked if that was the only marzipan in the store, he pointed to another spot, hidden at the bottom of the shelf by the cash, which was $ 2.79.
He then proceeded to send us to a different cashier, and told her to do a refund, (actually it was an exchange, I wanted to purchase the correct item)
The new cashier, didn’t speak during the transaction, in fact she looked down her nose, as I tried to explain that the shelf tags was wrong… and she just handed us back the difference… no words.
***** NOT ONCE DID WE GET A SINGLE, «I am sorry, it was our fault.» OR any kind of apology.
IN fact we were treated as though it was somehow OUR fault, and we were inconveniencing the staff.
I will think twice about shopping here again… NOt to mention that several other stores in the city now have expanded imported food sections, and the prices are MUCH CHEAPER than PETE’s.
DEAR PETE, PLEASE TRAIN YOUR STAFF IN CUSTOMER SERVICE…
\\\\\

+++So beautiful every item’s package is nicer, the veggies looks all great, the workers are abundant and helpfull
— the price of some items OMG I am not a spoiled international student do you have a discount for canadians ???

Let’s just say, I can only purchase what’s on sale at Pete’s or else my wallet bleeds. In the spirit of supporting a store that’s conscientious about local produces I shop here, sometimes. However, as a mother I honestly can not do regular grocery shopping here for a household of 4 every week.
This is a place to go when you can’t find a certain kind of cheese, exotic produce (ex. Thai chili pepper, lemongrass), deli meats. Or simply when you want to peruse or drool over their dessert section ;) Their smoothie is the best I’ve tasted.
I do enjoy the energy of the place, especially during lunch time. It’s also a great place to take visiting friends and families, especially if they’ve lived in the UK or Europe.

Pete’s is like a beautiful girlfriend who always thinks you’re doing something wrong. It’s super expensive but they do have stuff that you can’t get anywhere else in the city. It’s pretty vegetarian/​vegan friendly and they have a small supplement section but if you want the real deal, you’d go to Planet Earth Market on Quinpool.
Lots of fresh produce and their deli section is the best in town. The downside is that you honestly have to be rich to shop here freely and this place seems to really attract young, apparently rich students who seem to always be dressed like they are going to the gym, or coming from the gym. I think that’s the fashion movement for Halifax now. Dress like you’re going to the gym and don’t wash your hair. I digress.
Pete’s is, literally, A-​OK.

I’ve been getting their freshly made salads here for the last few months. For $ 7 you can’t go wrong.
But, this time, the chickpeas were very gritty tasting and the light caesar is way too watered down and had absolutely no taste to it. I get what «light» means but it shouldn’t lack in flavor.
For a Friday, the salad items were lacking as well. There were no cucumbers, and I had to ask for the mixed greens from the top shelf. The salad maker person told me there was none, until I pointed them out on the top shelf.
This last experience turned out to turn me off of them for a while. I will say that the cashier they had filling in for the regular girl on this past Friday was much friendlier than the one that is normally there.

Pete’s. The pride & joy of Halifax, The Maritimes and maybe even Canada. Probably laughed at when it first opened, Pete’s is owned by a man with the same name. Sometimes you can see him in the original Pete’s in Bedford but he does make appearances at his other stores — I saw him on the Dal campus once!
I love the store, it boasts local, organic and fresh food and the «food court» (though I feel like Pete’s is a lot classier than your typical mall food court). The sandwiches are made with freshly cooked meat (not pre-​sliced, processed stuff) and you can add veggies, cheese, sauces and either carrots and pickles as a side! You leave feeling full not bloated. I hear all the time that it’s more expensive then subway but i’d say it’s the same but you know what’s going in your sandwich.
The only reason I don’t give it the full five stars is because I find the service can be a bit lousy :/​golly-​gee.
The store has international foods or local. It sells cherry and vanilla coke which can’t be bought at any major supermarket!
SUPPORT LOCAL!

Great selection, plus they have British chocolate bars. Win in my book! The prices are of course a bit more expensive, since it’s all organic and local, but I can deal with that.
I also had their stirfry on Tuesday (their stir fry day, if I remember correctly), and it was really good.
Only complaint is that I bought grapes here once and got home to realize they were mouldy. No fun. But I was able to return them no problem.

I heart Pete’s.
They’re local, they have amazing variety of produce from all over the world (with a special effort made to bring in local produce whenever/​where ever they can).
They have staff who really seem to love what they do, and are eager to help you out when needed.
They have an incredible fresh salad, soup and sandwich bar, not to mention a breakfast station for brunch that makes my stomach very happy.
They serve local Java Blend coffee (my favorite).
Some tips if you’ve never been:
They have the BEST variety of Ritter chocolates (you know the square ones from Europe with lots of flavours). Not to mention an extensive selection of British treats.
Ask at the salad bar to either get your dressing on the side or for them to «go light» with the dressing. Unless your specific you can sometimes get a drowned in more dressing than you bargain for.
They have legit Montréal bagels and if you’re there for brunch you can get your breakfast sandwich bagel-​fied.
In short, Pete’s has my heart, and so does a certain someone who currently works behind their deli line.

Pete’s Gluten-​Free Eatery located inside Pete’s Frootique on Dresden Row is a great little alternative to gluten sensitive people.
With great sandwich’s, numerous tea, delicious coffee and a friendly staff, It’s a nice little café-​esque eatery to take a break from browsing/​shopping in the Dresden Row Market.
⁵⁄₅ stars

Much like a whole foods market in the USA. I really like the selection of cheese, meat and fish offered at Pete’s. It is not hard if you do your shopping here to spend your whole pay cheque well not really but it could happen I guess. I often come to this store with items in mind. One dinner for two etc. I often come out with a small bag about 40 bucks lighter and the bag costs 5 cents. I am not one to carry a reuse bag around all day this is the only way to aviod the charge. I use plastic bags for my trash can just in case anyone is going to rip me over the whole plactic in land fill thing. What do you use to put non-​compost and non recycle in? We all need a plastic bag for the trash can unless I am missing somthing? Underground parking is free for up to 2 hrs with a proof of a 20 dollar purchase.
I almost forgot to say the salad bar, juice bar etc… that whole section rocks. I love heathy food.

I love me some small upscale grocery.
One of the places I miss from from home town (Tacoma WA) is a place called «The Metropolitan Market». Upscale but not so upscale you’d be afraid to walk in wearing your flip flops after a nice long walk in the neighborhood.
This is exactly how I feel about Pete’s.
Upscale but not so upscale you’d have to donate a kidney just to buy some fruit and a few scoops of gelato. I can’t shop here everyday but it’s a nice change of pace from the larger grocery chains.
Some of the finer points about Pete’s:
*The homemade fudge smack in the middle of the market. I’ve only tried it once (getting a few small samples of different flavors) and I loved it. It’s nice that they make it right there in the store (so you can stand there and drool on the glass if you’d like — not that I know anything about that).
*The sushi bar… HELLO fresh made sushi. I’ve never eaten it (not paleo friendly) but anyplace that makes fresh sushi gets a little extra love from me.
*Upstairs seating… Nothing beats putting a delicious meal together then sitting upstairs and watching the people outside or below in the market. Very few times I’ve seen it so full that there wasn’t any seating available.
* Salad Bar! Probably the best around the area (and maybe the only one in the area for that matter). For $ 7 you can get a small salad with all the fixins you like. They are pretty generous size portions.
*Breakfast options: I’ve gone in early in the morning and ordered a 3 egg omelet for $ 7 that I found really tasty. It came with toast but since I don’t eat bread/​grains very often (again Paleo) I chose to go without but am pretty impressed that you could get a pretty good sized breakfast for cheap.
*Gelato…yhea I don’t really need to say too much about that. It’s good… really good.
I could go on and on and on and on…
Delicatessen +++
Cheese +++
Olive bar ++++++++++++++++++
And if you like to save a few coins my favorite thing about Pete’s is the clearance shelf towards the back (near the bananas). I’m always looking for a good deal on veggies that I will eat that day or some organic garlic marked way down. I won’t lie — I’ve been known to go into Pete’s just to check out the clearance shelf and most times I’m not disappointed (and no I don’t darn my own socks… not yet anyways).