Hundreds of Airdronians formed a veritable parade line early July 8 to be among the first customers into the new Sobeys grocery store in Creekside Crossing.
The store officially opened as Mayor Linda Bruce and Sobeys Store Manager Don Pettem gave speeches.
“I’m really glad to be celebrating this opening,” Bruce remarked and let soon-to-be shoppers in on a secret that she too donned the green and white as a 16-year-old in Nova Scotia.
“I’m certainly glad to have this development.”
After a ribbon cutting ceremony, the masses poured into the 39,000 square foot grocery store that serves regionally grown food items and will stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Sobeys is my favourite,” said local Leann Kogut who had been “waiting for quite a while” to get inside with her infant son Roman.
Taking a “community first” approach, Pettem said the store is staffed with 120 people, nearly all of whom are local residents.
Pettem has worked in retail for 35 years and he said despite countless hours of training and anticipation for store openings, these events are always worth it.
“It’s a lot of work but the rewards outweigh everything else.”
Sobeys has also made their intentions clear to be a leader in the community and already established relations with local organizations.
“Our community involvement will be second to none,” said Pettem.
He presented the Airdrie Food Bank with a cheque for $5,000. The money is in the form of gift cards allowing the charity to purchase specific food items for families in need.
“I’m overwhelmed by the immediate support Sobeys is offering to the Food Bank,” said Lise Blanchette, president of the Airdrie Food Bank.
“They’ve been on board right from the start,” said food bank executive director Lori McRitchie.
“We’re really thrilled with the partnership we’re going to have.”
Unique aspects of the Sobeys store include fresh cut produce, which “you don’t see in any of the other supermarkets,” according to Pettem.
The store bakes chickens four times daily and packages ready-made meals and salads.
Construction for the supermarket took nine months to complete after beginning in October of last year.
This is the first Sobeys in Airdrie and the 72nd in Alberta.
