The shuttered grocery store in Saskatoon’s City Park neighbourhood has been sold and is expected to once again house a grocery store or food vendor, according to multiple sources.
A ‘sold’ sign sits in front of the former Shop Easy at the corner of Princess Street and 7th Avenue North.
READ MORE: Last day for Shop Easy grocery store in City Park
Plans call for the building to be split into multiple units, including a tenant selling fresh food. A City Park resident and another local investor are said to be behind the purchase.
Loblaws closed the Shop Easy last November after what were described as many unprofitable years.
The company once held a caveat on the location, preventing another grocery store from taking its place. The restriction was lifted after outcry from residents who said there was no other option for groceries in the area.
At the time of the Shop Easy’s closure, Saskatoon city councillor Darren Hill said a future grocery-selling tenant could be eligible for tax breaks, while utility connection fees and building permit fees could be waived.
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Many living in the area said the small store was good for people without vehicles and those who wanted to pick up one or two items.
A group called the City Centre Food Cooperative started holding a pop-up market in January in response to the Shop Easy closure.
The co-op was created with the long-term goal of opening a community-owned grocery store in the future.
There’s no word on a scheduled move-in date for any of the future tenants of the building on 7th Avenue.
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