The city will see its first grocery store not located on St. Albert Trail open within the next two years.
Last week, the City of St. Albert announced Hopewell Development and North Central Co-op will join Riverside Landing in early 2022.
Together, the duo will bring a 32,000-square-foot grocery store, a 6,000-square-foot liquor store, a car wash and gas bar. The project site is located on the southeast side of the intersection between McKenney Avenue and Hogan Road.
Riverside Landing is a community-based shopping centre located in the southwest portion of St. Albert, with access to Ray Gibbon Drive, connecting people from all over the Edmonton region. Hopewell is accepting leasing enquiries now and construction of the development will take place over the next several years.
St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron stated in a news release she is looking forward to welcoming the retail outlet to the community.
“We look forward to welcoming Hopewell and Co-op to St. Albert,” Heron stated. “This investment will help us service our growing community and serve as an anchor to residential development in the surrounding area, attracting future retailers and professional services.”
Co-op operates a little differently from most grocery stores, said Carla Debert, marketing and community relations manager for North Central Co-op. The co-operative is owned and controlled by its local members, who can join by purchasing an initial share. Members then control the co-op through a locally elected board of directors.
Each co-op store reflects the needs of its community. For example, some co-ops have a focus on supermarkets and gas stations, while others are focused on farm petroleum and farm supplies.
Profits are then shared within the local membership to keep earnings at home, and reinvested back into the community.
"As a co-operative, we have an obligation to support and strengthen the communities we serve. And we've already started working with St. Albert to support the initiatives that matter to the community and our future customers," she said.
Along with this new investment, the project is expected to employ more than 50 people in St. Albert, Debert said.
"We have a tremendous growth strategy here in Edmonton and surrounding areas to really provide back to the communities that we're involved in. We are extremely excited to be coming to St. Albert."
North Central Co-op currently serves Edmonton, Stony Plain, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove and Legal.
Jennifer McCurdy, St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said the new development in Riverside is "very exciting news."
"This development provides a solid anchor to attract further commercial and retail investment to the southwest corner of St. Albert. In addition, it will also provide employment opportunities for our residents," she said in an email to the Gazette.
"To receive such positive news of substantial business development investment in St. Albert, especially at times like this, is very welcomed for everyone."
Construction on the project is expected to start in the spring of 2021.
