Big changes are coming to the Garrison Village neighbourhood this year, and it all starts with the opening of a new grocery store at the end of this month.
Foodland, a grocery store chain under the Sobeys umbrella, is set to hold its grand opening at the Village Centre, 111 Garrison Village Dr., on Jan. 29.
Store owner Lindsey Bridgeman said the opening has been a long time coming.
“It’s getting really exciting around here,” she said. “We’re putting in the final details in store right about now.”
In the weeks leading up to the opening, Bridgeman said staff are stocking shelves and preparing fresh departments.
The first few weeks after opening will be special, said Bridgeman, who previously managed a Sobeys store in Niagara Falls.
“You can expect a really exciting event” at the grand opening on Jan. 29, she said.
The new grocery store is part of a bevy of new developments coming to the Village in the future: the neighbourhood is expected to see the opening of the Clayfield Hotel, with 60 rooms and 42 vacation rental apartments behind the hotel, and Clayfield Commons, a major commercial development.
Both projects are slated to be completed by this spring.
Adam Hawley, vice-president of Traditional Neighbourhood Developments, is the landloard for the new Foodland store, along with his father, John Hawley and David Feldberg of Stratus Vineyards.
He is also behind the development of the hotel and the commons that is set to come to the Village.
He said he would personally be coming to the store to do his grocery shopping and was a fan of how Sobeys and Foodland do business.
“Sobeys and Foodland were fantastic to work with,” he said. “They were collaborative all along the way.”
Residents were generally excited about a new grocery store coming to town.
Neera Kapoor lives in Garrison Village and said she’s looking forward to its opening, though she’ll wait to see if it becomes her go-to grocery spot.
“The first day it’s going to be really busy,” she said. “I’m sure everybody would love to see it.”
Irene MacKenzie lives on Lakeshore Road and she thinks the new store is “wonderful.” She said that easier parking would make getting groceries a more pleasant experience.
Jane Shrubb, who lives in Old Town, said she does her grocery shopping in Niagara Falls doesn’t really have an opinion. Though she said she likes the Sobeys that she’s familiar with.
Foodland will offer special treats throughout opening weekend and in the weeks that follow. Planned activities include in-store giveaways such as gift cards, offers and food samples, as well as radio stations broadcasting on site.
“We’re still working on the details on some of the other things but that’s kind of the gist of it, giveaways, sampling,” she said.
Bridgeman said she does not yet have details on specific food deals but noted there will be Scene Plus offers, including grand opening promotions.
The store will employ about 75 people.
Bridgeman said she hopes residents will appreciate the finished store, particularly its focus on working with nearby producers.
“Once it’s done, it’s going to be very beautiful,” she said.
“I just want to have friendly service, and I really like to focus on local. That’s really my specialty.”
The store held a launch event in November 2024.
Foodland will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will join two Independent Grocer stores in Old Town and Virgil as grocery options in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
daniel@niagaranow.com
