Fresh produce and fragrant spices come together in this edition of Market Report.
Chongo’s Market in the Crossroads Market offers the season’s best fruits and vegetables, while Chai Stories in Fresh & Local Markets and Kitchens brings warmth and tradition with every cup.
CHONGO’S MARKET
At Calgary’s Crossroads Market, a new chapter is unfolding at one of its longest-standing produce stalls. Chongo’s Market, a fixture in the market for over 30 years, recently welcomed new owners Karen Morales and Kyle Decoste — two passionate produce veterans blending deep agricultural knowledge with retail expertise.
Morales, who was born and raised in Mexico, grew up on her grandfather’s corn farm, sparking a lifelong interest in produce. “I’ve seen firsthand how much risk growers take,” she says. “The weather, the unpredictability — it all falls on them. We take for granted that we can walk into a store and find anything, but that’s only possible because of farmers.”
With a degree in agricultural engineering and hands-on experience working in greenhouses and fields, Morales brings a full-spectrum understanding to the grocery store business. “It’s rewarding to be on the retail side now, with a real understanding of the supply chain.”
During the winter, Chongo’s imports produce, but the summer and fall are all about celebrating local. “The summer and harvest season is the most important time of year for us,” Morales says. “We focus on produce from Alberta and B.C. It’s fresher, supports small growers and our customers really want it.”
This fall, expect a bounty of squash, beets, carrots, pumpkins, late-season peaches and tomatoes. Chongo’s is also branching out into more tropical and specialty items — juicy pineapples, lychees, rambutan and hot peppers — to reflect Calgary’s growing cultural diversity. “There’s more interest in global flavours,” Morales explains, “and we want to offer customers a little taste of home, or of places they’ve travelled.”
For Morales, farmers’ markets are about more than just produce. “Of course, budgets matter, but it’s about more than price. People care about quality, size, freshness — they know what they’re looking for. Our customers are incredibly knowledgeable, and we love that. They want to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown.”
Chongo’s Market | Crossroads Market | 1235 26th Ave. S.E. | 403.408.7538 | chongosmarket.com
CHAI STORIES
What began as two friends missing the flavours and feeling of home has grown into Chai Stories — a heartfelt nod to South Indian culture and the ritual of sharing tea and stories.
Founded by Litha Helfrich and Leema Rosy Savarimuthu, Chai Stories is a tribute to the traditions they grew up with. The two met while working at an Indian restaurant in Calgary and quickly bonded over a shared dream of entrepreneurship. “Back home, tea time is when we gather to catch up and share stories from our day,” says Helfrich. “I really missed that here. We wanted to bring that culture to Calgary.”
They first launched their venture with a food truck, serving authentic teas and South Indian snacks like dosas and idlis (savoury steamed rice cakes). The business soon found a new home inside Calgary’s beloved Fresh and Local Market, where they launched Bean Box by Chai Stories. It’s a cozy café serving a classic cup of joe alongside South Indian specialties like masala chai, cardamom tea and a spicy Mysore masala dosa: a crispy rice-and-lentil crepe layered with chutney and filled with a savoury mix of potatoes, onions and spices.
Chai Stories is truly a family affair — Savarimuthu’s husband is the chef behind the recipes, while Helfrich’s husband handles the setup and operations. “You can’t
do this alone,” Helfrich reflects. “We’ve built this together.”
Outside the shop, Chai Stories caters and appears regularly at markets like Dalhousie Farmers’ Market, introducing more Calgarians to South Indian flavours. But being part of the Fresh and Local community, Helfrich says, has been a gift: “The support from fellow vendors, the energy from customers — it’s like a built-in family.”
Her advice to other entrepreneurs? “Build a strong team, stay open to learning and lead with heart. There’s more love and care in local food, and you can taste that.”
Chai Stories | Fresh & Local Market and Kitchens | 12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E. | 403.918.8147 | chaistories.ca
Leave A Comment