Canada's First Airport Honesty Shop Opens in Halifax

Halifax, Canada, July 18, 2019 --(PR.com)-- In an effort to promote Nova Scotia’s locally grown products and the cultural values of honesty and trust in the region, Mabata – Glocal Eatery, supported by the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre, launched Canada’s first airport honesty shop, located at the arrivals foyer of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

The new honesty food pop-up shop, launched on July 10th, is a world pioneering concept that entrusts customers to pick the food, snack and drink items they wish to purchase, punch in their order using a touch screen and pay via a self-service checkout that accepts credit/debit cards, cash and mobile payments, with no one serving or watching customers during their purchase experience.

Mabata’s new Honesty pop-up shop will operate during the summer months of 2019 as a 24/7 un-manned shop and offers a 24/7 remote support help line to assist any customer that requires further help to make their purchase.

According to published research studies conducted in 2017 and 2018, Atlantic Canadians rank amongst the highest in their level of civic honesty in Canada. Najib Faris, Founder and CEO of Mabata Inc. said: “We strongly believe that the values of trust and honesty are alive and common across the Maritimes and Canada at large.”

Faris added: “We have faith in people, and feel that goodness is contagious. That said, we are honored to be selected and supported by the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre in this endeavor that aims to foster and nourish the positive values amongst residents, visitors and tourists of Nova Scotia.”

The shop will be managed and operated by Mabata – Glocal Eatery, a premium farm-to-table dining restaurant founded by two world travelers, passionate foodies and recent immigrants that chose to live and setup their business in Nova Scotia. Mabata is a contemporary gourmet eatery nestled in Bedford, located at the intersection of the Bedford Hwy and Larry Uteck, with ocean views of the Bedford Basin.

Mabata offers a globally inspired and locally sourced curated menu of sharing dishes, salads, plates and desserts, with multiple vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a Caviar and Sturgeon tasting experience. Ingredients at Mabata are farm-sourced locally and every part of the dishes is prepared in-house from scratch. Mabata also offers a selection of wines, locally-sourced craft beers, innovative cocktails and a delightful friendly atmosphere.

Francesco Stara, a partner at Mabata Inc. and the Executive Chef of Mabata – Glocal Eatery, commented: “I am personally very proud of our team’s commitment to sustainability in Nova Scotia through our local sourcing of products, and of the ethics we have been nurturing, amongst our team, to ensure that we support local businesses and farming communities. Mabata to me is more than just a restaurant, it is a concept that embodies the cooperation and success of many partners working together towards a more sustainable and healthier place to live.” Stara added: “We are very humbled by the amazing response and reviews from people that come in and experience Mabata, but I always say - we only do half the work, the farmers and local partners deserve the real accolades for the great produce they provide us.”

Mabata’s Honesty shop has been in operation for a couple of days during which it has received an above expected engagement level. Najib Faris said: “We have received ‘thank you’ and ‘wonderful concept’ messages from people commending the idea of bringing the simplest concept of rural farm-retail into an urban modern place like the Airport. We are very keen to expand the concept further and setup more honesty shops that offer freshly made farm-to table food in schools, malls and shopping centers, office buildings, hospitals, and universities across Halifax to further contribute to spreading the cultural values of honesty and trust.”

Faris added: “As immigrants that recently moved to Nova Scotia, we are very proud to be promoting local products and culture. We consider this project a small icon that represents some of the many great things that Nova Scotia has to offer as a unique place in the world to visit, live and work.”