In 1961, Giovanni (John) Fortino, a steelworker and immigrant from Cosenza, Calabria, Italy,[2] opened his first Fortinos store in lower Hamilton, Ontario, at King St. E. and Glendale Ave.[3] In 1972, John took on seven partners and opened a second store on Hamilton Mountain.

Owing to their growing success, subsequent stores were opened in Hamilton, Burlington and Brampton.

Fortinos is a European-style 'townsquare' shopping concept (which is experienced in new-store layout (i.e. Rexdale and Vaughan)) in which the store is set like a European Street with Bakeshoppe, cheese shoppe, Butchers, Flower Shoppe, etc.

The stores also feature Fortinos Bistro Cafes serving hot Italiano Coffee, baked goods, and fresh- made-to-order wraps and soups.

Fortinos became a part of Loblaw Companies Limited in 1988, but still without the No Name Brand (yellow packages) products.