Thrifty Foods continued their expansion into the Lower Mainland with the opening of a 24-hour grocery store in downtown Maple Ridge on Wednesday.
Jim Dores, president of the Vancouver Island-based grocery chain, was joined by Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Mike Sather, and Mayor Ernie Daykin to officially open the store, Wednesday morning.
The completely renovated store uses renewable natural gas and energy saving features including an integrated heating, cooling, lighting, and refrigeration system. As a Fortis B.C. and B.C. Hydro Power Smart partner, the refurbished location includes a state-of-the-art refrigeration system that uses natural CO2 rather than synthetic refrigerant gas. In total, the store’s energy efficient upgrades and monitoring systems ensure a 65 per cent lower carbon footprint than a typical grocery retailer.
“Our new, 35,000-square-foot store in Haney Place Mall offers the best in fresh and some of the greenest aisles in the business,” said Dores. “With an extensive array of both local and organic and a range of Power Smart features, we are a convenient, fresh and friendly new choice in the neighbourhood.”
Store manager Dave Krupski said the store plans to give back to the community, starting with a free swim day this Saturday, July 7 at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, sponsored by Thrifty Foods.
“I am excited to work with over 95 new employees ... from within the Maple Ridge community,” said Dave Krupski, store manager of the Maple Ridge location. “I look forward to supporting local events like the Caribbean Festival, as well as helping out those in need within the community as is our tradition since we first opened our doors in 1977.”
Thrifty Foods is under the Sobeys Inc. banner, has a total of 28 retail grocery stores across the Lower Mainland, throughout Vancouver Island and on Saltspring Island.