On the south side of Peterborough, Ont., The Parkway, a four-lane throughway that extends off Highway 7 to bring drivers into the city, meets Landsowne Street.



And on the northwest corner where the two streets meet sits a trio of buildings. There is Winslow Gerolamy International, where the parking lot is lined with 18-wheelers and dump trucks. There is a Canadian Tire Gas Station. And between them, there is a triplex retail front which features a Pharmasave and a Harvey’s.



And there’s one store that doesn’t quite fit.



Its faux-iron sign reads, “Copper Branch: Plant-based power food.”



The menu pushes power bowls, organic Karma coffee, non-GMO smoothies, kombucha and chocolate zucchini brownies for dessert. Vases, filled with red and white flowers, sit at the centre of each table. Its front door boasts a 10 percent student discount and the clientele inside is young. A pair of women at separate tables cradle babies. Other...