Miramar Village was packed with waiting shoppers Thursday morning (May 16), all eager to be among the first to shop at the new Thrifty Foods in White Rock, which the community has been waiting to welcome.
With a festive balloon arch, cupcakes, a pre-opening tour of the store for council members and media, and the first 250 customers set to receive a $25 gift card, the lineup for the long-awaited grocer snaked all around the plaza, trailing all the way down to Russell Avenue.
Ralf Mundel, Thrifty Foods vice-president of operations for British Columbia, spoke a little about the chain’s history and noted the White Rock location is Thrifty Foods’ 27th store.
“We are very selective in the locations we open for a Thrifty Foods,” he told the gathered crowd.
“Sense of community is one of the most important ingredients, and all of our research tells us that White Rock has this in spades!”
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He shared some details about the new, 19,000-square-foot grocery store, which has features including a juice and smoothie bar, a sushi counter with in-store sushi chefs, custom-cut meats, sustainable seafood, plenty of ‘grab and go’ options, and a build-your-own sandwich counter.
Thrifty Foods also offers goods produced and grown locally in B.C., and will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, he said.
White Rock Mayor Megan Knight thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate the new business.
“It has been a long go, I know — we’ve all been waiting for them,” she said. “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Thrifty Foods from the City of White Rock.”
She praised the fact the new location is within walking distance for many.
“We look forward to your excellent produce and products, and your exceptional customer service. I know I will be stopping by to do my own purchases soon,” she said.
After she and several councillors helped cut a ceremonial ribbon to officially signal the store’s opening, the eager crowd lined up for the first chance to shop at the new store, with Thrifty Foods staff handing out cupcakes, store maps and shopping baskets as they entered the bright new store.
Thrifty Foods’ neighbour — another highly anticipated business, a new Tacofino location — will hold its official opening event tomorrow at 3 p.m.
