Thirty-one years ago Kiva’s Bakery, a GTA landmark, opened in Thornhill and 14-year-old Ben Rafael was there, working as a busboy.
Eventually he and his two younger brothers, Elan and Steve, took over ownership. Now they’re branching out with the newly opened Kiva’s Bagel Bar, a make-your- own sandwich-and-salad joint.
“We have all the old favourites,” says Rafael,“like cream cheese and lox, but we have some quirkier things, too.” They include the “tutti-frutti” filling, of cream cheese, strawberries and cinnamon.
He says everything at Kiva’s is made from scratch. “Nothing tastes like freshly made,and people know it.”
Kiva’s Bagel Bar is located at 15 St. Clair W., 416-960-5482.