WATCH ABOVE: For people who live downtown, news of yet another grocery store closing is difficult to digest. Quinn Ohler reports.
EDMONTON – For the second time in less than two months, a grocery story on Jasper Avenue is closing shop.
First, it was Sobey’s on 104 Street; this time, it’s Family Foods. At the end of September, customers of the family-owned business along Jasper and 118 Street will have to find a new place to get their groceries.
For Marc Workman, who is partially sighted, it may be tough to find a grocery store with the same kind of service.
“They’ve all been extremely friendly, they know me by name. I’ve always appreciated the staff here.”
On Monday, store manager Ghanem Elkadri was helping Workman stock up.
Elkadri explains that as hard as it is, the store has no other choice but to close its doors.
“It’s sad. We’ve made a lot of friends in the community…and we want to thank all the customers who have supported us over these last four-and-a-half years. But there’s not much else we can do,” he said.
“Our time’s up…there was no option to renew the store lease, so it’s time to go.”
Councillor Scott McKeen is disappointed by the closure, saying it goes against the growth currently underway downtown.
“We want to create this walkable communities and the idea being that you don’t have to hop in your car and drive 15 minutes to get to one of the large grocery stores.”
McKeen says he will look to some local and national grocery chains to see if there is interest to expand onto Jasper Avenue. But until then, it might be a tough adjustment for loyal customers of Family Foods.
“We live five blocks away and I come here every night after work, pick up the odd thing, figure out what’s going to be for supper,” said Jackie Henderson.
“This will be sadly missed.”
– With files from Quinn Ohler, Global News
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