Most current Extra Foods employees will remain and 60 new staff are being added as the Garibaldi Village store transitions to Craig’s Your Independent Grocer, according to the company.
The revamped store will provide fresher products and some new initiatives and employ more than 130 people, the company announced. Job fairs for all positions with the new store were held over the first two weekends in April.
The new store will have a full deli section, increased selection of local produce and a fresh juice bar.
“When you walk through the doors of Craig’s Your Independent Grocer, you will immediately notice a greater emphasis on quality, fresh food,” said a store spokesperson via email. “Based on the demographics of Squamish, we believe this store format will better serve the needs of the community.”
Craig Woida, Extra Foods’ owner for 17 years, remains the owner of the new store, which continues under the Loblaw grocery chain umbrella.
“Seeing my name on the sign makes me a bit sentimental,” Woida said. “I can’t thank my team enough for the work they did to make this happen.”
The store will continue to support the Squamish Food Bank and Mamquam Elementary School’s Edible Garden program, according to the company spokesperson.
Dino Naccarato, vice-president of Your Independent Grocer operations, said Craig’s Your Independent Grocer will continue to carry no name and President’s Choice products. “While Extra Foods focused on providing food items at lower prices with minimal service, Craig’s Your Independent Grocer is focused on offering a premium shopping experience that includes a great level of face-to-face service, greater assortment of products and enhanced fresh departments,” Naccarato said.
“As a result of an expanded and improved product offering and service level, you’ll notice a difference in pricing when compared to Extra Foods. The stores have different operating models.”
Loblaw is headquartered in Brampton, Ont. and has more than 2,000 stores in Canada, including Extra Foods, the Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills.
In 2013, Loblaw bought the Shoppers Drug Mart chain.
The corporation also operates its own bank, gas bars and the Joe Fresh clothing line.
The Loblaw group of companies saw retail sales of $44.47 billion in 2015, and a gross profit $11.69 billion, according to the company’s 2015 annual report.
The grand opening for the new store is set for April 22.
