Retail Opportunities

Something’s Brewing with the South Niagara Hospital Project

We are excited to announce the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be released around December 2025 for food, general convenience and retail pharmacy.

The retail offerings at South Niagara Hospital are aimed at enhancing the experience of patients, visitors and healthcare staff in a welcoming, service-oriented environment.

Among the retail food opportunities within the South Niagara Hospital is an amazing opportunity for a local café vendor. This opportunity is part of our ongoing commitment to support local small businesses, to offer high-quality coffee and beverages, alongside a variety of light and healthy food options.

About the South Niagara Hospital
Coming in 2028, the South Niagara Hospital is under construction in Niagara Falls at the corner of Montrose and Biggar roads. It will offer a full scope of services, including emergency, critical care, diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services, as well as Centres of Excellence in complex care, wellness in aging and stroke.

The building will be 1.3-million-square feet, with 475 single-patient bedrooms, eight operating suites, 42 hemodialysis stations and two MRI machines.

Annually, the hospital will be able to accommodate 92,000 emergency visits, 94,000 ambulatory care visits, 179,000 diagnostic tests, 28,000 surgical procedures and 21,000 outpatient mental health and addictions visits.

Photo, July 2025

What are we looking for?
The envisioned café in the South Niagara Hospital will be a calming and welcoming atmosphere that complements the wellness vision for the hospital. It will be distinct from traditional fast-food coffee chains, offering high-quality coffee offerings and espresso-based beverages, as well as a variety of light and healthy food options.

The selected vendor will provide exceptional customer service, creating a friendly and professional environment with flexible operating hours that accommodate the early morning and late evening pace of the hospital.

In a survey completed by 1,650 people, 70% of community members and staff said they would purchase from a local coffee vendor located in the hospital.

About the Space
The café space in the South Niagara Hospital will be on the second floor, conveniently located in a central and high-traffic location near the main elevators, feature staircase and close to the staff terrace and waiting rooms. The retail location will not only be accessible to patients and visitors, but is sure to become a staff favourite for break time coffee and nourishment. 

Location: 2nd floor
Size: Approximately 1,000 sq.ft. (including a storage space)
 

WELL Certification
The South Niagara Hospital is on-track to becoming the first WELL Certified hospital in Canada.

Recognized worldwide throughout the architectural industry, the WELL Certification program is a scientifically developed and independently verified tool to help design buildings and measure their impact on the health and wellbeing of the occupants. Organized around 10 concepts of building performance — Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community – WELL is a program that details design and operational guidelines specifically focused on improving health and wellness outcomes for the people using the building.

What does this mean for food vendors?
As a WELL building, food offerings in the South Niagara Hospital should promote healthy eating habits by making fresh and wholesome foods more available. The WELL nourishment concept emphasizes the importance of food in maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases. This involves providing nutritious food options, promoting nutritional transparency, restricting unhealthy ingredients and educating occupants about healthy eating. 

You can learn more about WELL and the South Niagara Hospital Project here.

How to Apply
The anticipated RFP release date will be December 2025. The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be made available online through Bonfirehub.com. 

In an effort to support local and Canadian businesses, preference will be given to local coffee and food vendors.

What should you do if you are interested in submitting your proposal?
If you're a local vendor interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to check back regularly or sign up to be notified when the RFP is officially released by emailing us at: southniagaraproject@niagarahealth.on.ca

 Additionally, you can:

• Stay tuned for additional details, including proposal requirements, selection criteria and submission deadlines. RFPs will be issued on Bonfirehub.com  (expected to be released around December 2025.)
• Subscribe to the South Niagara Hospital Project Newsletter at the bottom of this page to receive important updates on the project, and more importantly on the Request for Proposals.

No Guarantee

Niagara Health does not intend to create any contractual relations or obligations with any Vendors by virtue of issuing or by receiving or opening any expression of interest.

Niagara Health is not obligated to provide any guaranteed volume of purchases to Vendors resulting from this expression of interest.