Flowers and cards have been left outside a specialty grocer in Oak Bay after the well-liked owner died last week.
Tributes are pouring in online for Yumbrosia Fine Foods owner Ihsan Askar from devoted customers who describe him as a generous man who made the best hummus in the city and often added an extra scoop of ice cream to kids’ orders for free.
More than 150 people have expressed their condolences on a Facebook post sharing news of Askar’s death.
“What a great sense of community you both brought to this neighbourhood and I am forever grateful for getting us through this pandemic and bringing a sense of normalcy to our lives,” Caroline Marie wrote in a post. “You both worked tirelessly and I often wondered how you could do it so happily 7 days a week. This community will miss you greatly. Rest easy Ihsan.”
Marie said she found Askar’s “gem of a store” in Oak Bay Village nine years ago and she fell in love with the variety and quality of products and the friendly service from Askar and his former partner, Glenda.
At Yumbrosia, Askar sold specialty goods imported from Europe, Asia and the Middle East along with local produce. He had been in business since 2011 and moved to Yumbrosia’s current location on Eastdowne Road in 2018 to have a larger space.
Born in Turkey, Askar was a cook and a trained chemist who worked as a food quality inspector in Europe and ran a similar grocery business in Austria before he immigrated to Victoria, according to the store’s website.
He was known to give away homemade banana bread or a jar of jam to regular customers.
Michelle Kirby can see the steady stream of would-be customers arrive at the closed storefront from her house across the street. They’re met with a sign reading: “Yumbrosia will be closed indefinitely. Your support is valued and patience is appreciated.” In another window hangs a poster saying the shop is hiring.
Kirby said at least a dozen people have reached out to her to see if they can offer support to his family in Toronto to deal with perishable inventory in the store.
“It shows what an impact he had on the community. He was a really beloved member of the community” who played a big role in people’s lives, she said.
On Monday, shoppers stopping by the store looking for Christmas turkeys and gifts for loved ones were saddened to hear of Askar’s death.
“He was a real sweet man,” said Gordon Randall.
