The Caribbean Connection for Food Lovers Worldwide
Bedessee Imports Ltd. - About Us / History
Bedessee Imports was created to bring a little taste of home into our own kitchen, and years later, we're bringing the same great taste and memories to kitchens everywhere through our 1000+ retail partners. We travel the world to find and procure the highest quality and most authentic products, ensuring that you will find what you need in our diverse 5,000+ product line. Bedessee is not just about food, we also manufacture delicacies from sparkling wine to Chow Mien and our soap-making and sports divisions offer quality choices to suit your needs. At Bedessee Imports, we're in your kitchen more than you think!Become a Retail Partner.
Become a Retail Partner
Interested in carrying our products in your store? Find out how you can become a Retailer Here Important Notice: PLEASE NOTE, CERTAIN BRANDS OR PRODUCTS CAN ONLY BE SOLD TO SPECIFIC MARKETS OR COUNTRIES AND IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ALL BUYERS AND DESTINATIONS. WE CAN OFFER SUPERIOR BUYING POWER AND SOLID EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADING. ALSO CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL TRADEMARKS OFFICE IF THERE IS ANY RESTRICTION OR INFRINGEMENT AS WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CAUSE.
Location: 2 Golden Gate Court, Scarborough, ON M1P 3A5
History
Since 1977, Bedessee Imports has been serving the Caribbean community with unique goods and tailored services. From sparkling wine to coconut oil-based soaps to our recently opened commercial bakery – our product list is an endless reflection of our travels around the world that motivates us to acquire the most authentic items guaranteed to keep our customers satisfied.
It all started when founder, Lionel Bedessee migrated to Canada with his family in 1971. With little to no West Indian store in sight, he decided to transport Bedessee Imports – the family business he molded and managed with love for so long in Corentyne, Guyana, to his new North American home.
Today, the humble family operation has grown to housing over 5,000 products, adhering to quality and commitment has grown to become one of the best-known, most-loved brands throughout the world. With distribution centers in five U.S. states – New York, Chicago, Maryland, Boston, Connecticut, and one in Toronto, Canada - Bedessee Imports is passionate about promoting sales with the slogan, We're in Your Kitchen More Than You Think, striving to deliver local tastes into kitchens determined to stay true to their homeland.
For the latest information on Bedessee Imports and its products, check out www.bedessee.com
Lionel Bedessee operates successfull importing and distributing business in Corantyne Berbice Guyana. (Photo)
Lionel Bedessee operates a small trading business from his home in Waterloo, Ontario.
Opens small retail store at 1429-31 Queen Street West in Toronto.
Became the first importer to bring Guyanese fish such as Gilleybaka, Gray Snapper, and Buck Crabs to the market.
Expanded into a larger retail outlet at 1373 Queen Street West.
Introduced sporting goods and opened Canada's largest cricket outlet at 1447A Queen St. West, which also included a small 3000 sq ft food warehouse.
Opened a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, and acquired a larger 8000 sq ft warehouse in Scarborough at 2360 Midland Ave.
Closes all retail food operations to consolidate into one location in Scarborough. Installs a state-of-the-art, fully automated chow mein factory—the first of its kind. This innovative, sanitary closed-system dryer was designed by the Bedessee family.
Forms a joint venture in Suriname to open a fish processing facility with its own fishing boats.
Acquires an additional 4,000 sq ft of warehouse space for surplus stock and adds 100 new items to the product line. Also acquires a 6,000 sq ft facility in Brooklyn, NY at 110 North First St.1990: Expands the fish processing plant in Suriname and acquires more fishing boats.
The Toronto location moves into one large 25,000 sq ft facility at 2350 Midland Ave. and installs a large drive-in freezer for frozen fish and cassava. U.S. operations move into a 17,000 sq ft warehouse in Brooklyn at 140 Varick Ave., installing a 3,000 sq ft automated freezer for fish products. (Photo)
The company celebrates its 20th anniversary. (Guyana Times article)
Toronto operations install a 50-tonne bulk storage silo to expand the chow mein production line. This fully automated system allows the company to receive flour by tanker truck, saving on bag costs and reducing waste. (Photo)
Toronto operations lose 4 trucks in a fire for unknown reasons. (Photo). The Suriname operation moves to a new, EU-approved HACCP fish processing plant—the first of its kind for Guyanese fish.
U.S. operations move to a giant new 45,000 sq ft location at 601 Wortman Ave in Brooklyn, installing 8,000 sq ft of drive-in freezers to expand fish operations. (Photo)
Canadian operations move to a massive new 47,000 sq ft location at 2 Golden Gate Court, installing a 29,000 cubic sq ft drive-in freezer.
