Grocery shopping in four Island communities is about to go through a change, with Country Grocer purchasing 49th Parallel Grocery.
Country Grocer announced that as of Feb. 20, it will acquire the four 49th Parallel Grocery locations in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Duncan. This will bring the total number of Country Grocers to 11.
“Country Grocer is extremely excited about this acquisition, and we look forward to working with everyone on the 49th Parallel team,” stated Wally Large, co-founder of Country Grocer. “Our ownership team has an incredible amount of respect for the Richmond family and the amazing job they have done serving the communities that they operate in.”
49th Parallel Grocery is owned by the Richmond family, and was founded in 1977. Country Grocer says all of the over 380 employees at 49th Parallel will be kept on after the transition.
“The Richmond family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our loyal communities where we operate, and to the entire 49th Parallel Grocery team for their enduring commitment to quality and service over the past 46 years,” said Peter Richmond, president and CFO of 49th Parallel Grocery.
“We are delighted to see the business become part of a bigger, multi-generational, family-operated grocery business with similar family and community values as 49th Parallel Grocery. Country Grocer is the ideal ownership group to keep the independent voice alive and well here on Vancouver Island.”
The transition of the four stores to become Country Grocers will start in March, and the company says the Duncan location will be the first to change.
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Laura Brougham
