Master baker Ruben Pires loves New Toronto so much that he decided to buy and open a bakery and pastry shop here on his first visit to the area.

The Argentinian-born pastry chef had visited more than 30-bakeries in the GTA while searching for a shop to purchase.

He was at first interested in buying in the Niagara Falls area, before someone brought him to south Etobicoke and he fell in love at first sight with Delicia Bakery and Pastry, at 2854 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Fifth St.

“We had seen about 33 bakeries by then and loved this area right away,” recalls Pires. “We loved the people and the sense of community that exist in the area.”

It has been just over a year since Pires, and his brother-in-law Leandro, purchased Delicia which has been doing well. They also own two other bakeries in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina.

He proudly shows on his phone about six cameras installed at the stores in Argentina, which he monitors from here in real time.

“It was quite a challenge operating the business during the height of the pandemic,” he says. “The people here stood behind us and have supported us.”

At that time the bakery was operating on reduced hours and take-out service.

The airy store, which has the beautiful aroma of freshly-made breads, cakes and other goodies, is busy these days as area residents try to return to normal lives.

“People love our fresh, hand-made goods,” Pires says. “Our customers tell us every day that they cannot wait to come back and sit down with a cup of coffee.”

His secret is the use of fresh ingredients for all his goods, which are baked with a European and Latin American flair.

There is also a hot table, deli, delicious empanadas and cakes for all occasions. The coffee is also tasty and full-bodied.

The bakery can be reached at 416-503-0555 and they deliver to residents in the community.