Grk Ygrt

Grk Ygrt is a refreshing snack bar in Kensington Market’s jungle of hipster cafés and vintage shops.

When Jesse Ewart opened Grk Ygrt in March 2016 with his fiancé Jennifer Batler, he had no idea how well the curdled-milk-in-a-cup concept would fly in Toronto. But the young classically trained chef knew he didn’t want to grind it out in fine dining forever. “It just seemed like a difficult lifestyle,” he says. “It seemed like the only option was to start our own business.”

With the proliferation of juice bars, salad bars and people becoming ever more health conscious in general, the couple wanted to offer food that was wholesome, healthy, affordable and portable. After much research, they decided there was a potential market for fresh and frozen yogurt, and that a tiny fixer-upper on Augusta Avenue would be the perfect place to put their idea to the test.

“It's a huge tourist destination,” Jesse says of Kensington Market. So far, Toronto can’t get enough of Grk Ygrt.