New Foodland set to open in Stayner this spring
A new Foodland grocery store is taking shape in Stayner’s east end, with a move planned for spring.
Franchisee Tyson Prescott, who runs the Stayner business with his wife Jacquie, says he is excited about the new store for its fresh new look, modern design, spacious layout, and the location. He says it’s too early to tell what the pros and cons of the move across town will be but he has high hopes.
Prescott wasn’t part of the decision to locate the new store out on Highway 26 but he sees that end of Stayner being developed into a new hub, with housing and retail.
“It will change the landscape of Stayner,” said Prescott, “It feels like it will be a pillar of the town.”
The development taking place there includes a long-term care centre, additional commercial space, residential uses, and potential for an elementary school.
The new 27,000 square foot store will have double the retail space, including room for an expanded produce section, bakery, deli, hot food service, and cold, ready-to-eat options.
The space, he said, will provide more opportunity to partner with local vendors and suppliers.
“It will mean more options for customers, at the end of the day,” said Prescott.
A chef by training, Prescott was inspired to become a grocer through his desire to merge his business interests and food. He first worked at Freshco and quickly rose to a manager’s role. A decade ago he applied to franchisee training programs and was accepted into the one offered by Sobeys, Foodland’s parent company. He travelled around to different stores, learning the business before getting his first franchise in Creemore in 2017. He and Jacquie packed up their family and moved from Hamilton. Two years later, they moved to the store in Stayner.
When asked about the logistics of moving a grocery store, Prescott said he doesn’t know exactly how it will work.
“It’s exciting, it’s fun,” he said. “I’m trusting in the process. We want to offer the community as much as we can for as long as possible as we transition to the new building.”
He is still waiting to see the final diagrams and the exact footprint of the store. He said he hopes there will be as little disruption as possible.
The bigger location will mean more jobs. Prescott said they will be hiring locally but it is too soon to say how many will be added to the current 40-person staff.
“We have an incredible team here, and they will be the core of the new staff,” he said. “We are still waiting to see how it all plays out.”
He said he is really excited about the design of the new store.
“This is going to be really nice,” said Prescott. “I want the community to be really proud of it. I think they’ll be wowed by the new store and what it brings.”
The new Foodland is located at 100 Grand Trunk Road, off Highway 26. The 18,000 square foot store on Airport Road is currently for lease.
