Anatol Spices Regd

If Jimmy Hatzidakis comes across as a seasoned commodities trader, it’s only because he’s been decoding the texture, colour and smell of every item he’s carried for the last 45 years.

“I look at it and I know right away,” declares Jimmy, owner of Épices Anatol, who admits he can scour a freshly docked shipment of oregano, Turkish figs or any other Indian, South American or African bulk food import with ease. “I can even tell just from looking at the cases. It becomes routine.”

A storied family business spanning three generations, Épices Anatol continues to provide restaurants, tourists and Little Italy locals with over 3,000 varieties of dried spices, herbs, teas, nuts, sauces, cereals, sweets and nearly any ingredient you can imagine.

And while price and selection may vary, quality is simply non-negotiable. “If we don’t have it, it’s because it doesn’t sell,” explains Jimmy confidently. “I always remove stuff that doesn’t sell because I want everything to be fresh. And if someone buys something they don’t like, they can bring it back. No hassle.”