NIGERIAN ENTREPRENEUR OLAYINKA ANIMASHAUN OPENS SECOND CHRISPY AFRICAN MARKET IN NIAGARA FALLS

Olayinka Animashaun with the Niagara falls city Mayor Jim Diodati at the grand opening of Chrispy African Market 2

Canadian-Nigerian Entrepreneur Olayinka Animashaun Opens Second Chrispy African Market Outlet in Niagara Falls

By Our Correspondent

Canadian-Nigerian entrepreneur and community leader, Mrs. Olayinka Animashaun, has expanded her business footprint with the opening of the second outlet of Chrispy African Market in Niagara Falls, Canada.

The new store was officially inaugurated on December 14, 2022, in a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati, members of the City Council and other dignitaries, marking another milestone for the Nigerian-born businesswoman and the African community in the region.

Animashaun, who is the Executive Director and Founding President of Chrispy African Market and the Niagara African Caribbean Culture Organization, described the opening as the fulfilment of a long-held dream to establish a presence in one of Canada's busiest tourism destinations.

Speaking during the ceremony, she expressed gratitude to the Canadian government and particularly Mayor Diodati for supporting her vision and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive.

According to her, securing the location required patience and determination, revealing that it took about one year before the space became available.

She noted that the new outlet would enable the business to serve the growing African population in Niagara more effectively.

"Niagara has one of the largest Black communities, and opening this outlet gives us the opportunity to move closer to our people while making authentic African products more accessible," she said.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Animashaun has earned recognition for promoting African culture and supporting community development in Canada.

She is the lead organiser of the Niagara African Caribbean Food and Music Festival, the first event of its kind in the Niagara Region, which celebrates African and Caribbean culture through food, music and entertainment.

She is also the founder of Menders World, an initiative established to support individuals and families affected by domestic violence through advocacy, awareness and community intervention programmes.

The expansion of Chrispy African Market reflects the increasing contribution of Nigerian entrepreneurs to Canada's retail sector while strengthening the visibility of African businesses and culture within the Niagara community.