Mixed emotions as Steveston Village welcomes Save-On-Foods

Big changes are coming to Richmond's Steveston Village as Save-On-Foods makes its entry into the quaint fishing village, and puts some pressure on local shops.

The new grocery store will anchor a 75,000 square foot mixed use development, which will cover half a city block at the corner of Moncton Street and Third Avenue, replacing longtime Steveston staple, Rod's Building Supplies.

With news of the addition making its way around the village, some shop owners in the area are concerned about how a big chain like Save-On-Foods will fit in with the small community.

The pie is only so large, and it has to be split somehow or the other.- Sam Lu, Super Grocer

Sam Lu is the owner of nearby market, Super Grocer, which opened in 1979 and was passed down to him by his father.

"Well I'm worried of course. Everybody would always be a little bit concerned when a big chain moves into the neighbourhood, but that's life, right?" he said

"We all face competition, and so we shall work very hard to try and meet it."

Lu says he's hopeful his grocery store staff will rise to the occasion to push back against the competition, but admits layoffs and cost cutting will result if they can't compete.

"We have our niche, but we also recognize that the pie is only so large, and it has to be split somehow or the other."

Family run Steveston Bakery says it's not concerned with the super market getting into the village because of its loyal following.

"Our product is a lot different. It's a better product. We're a little bit more hands on, because we see the same people everyday just about,"said longtime employee DianaEriksen.

"They come in and they chat, so we do have a rapport with them."

Meanwhile, down the street from the future development, The Sweet Spot Bakery co-owner Keiran Flaherty says after much speculation about which grocery store would occupy the space, he was disappointed that it wasn't something like a Nesters or Loblaws as there are other Save-On-Foods locations nearby.

"You can go literally like a 10 minute drive away from Steveston and find two of them," said Flaherty.

The property, dubbed 'The Roderick' in a nod to the supplystore it's replacing. The developer isPlatform Properties.

Kyle Shury, with the group,says an extensive process was undertakento make sure the design fits with the community.

"Our hope is with the grocer is that people will shop and stay in the village, and do all their ancillary shopping and support the local merchants group as well," he said.

"We want to make sure that we add to it, and you know not detract from it."

Shury says rezoning and the development permit are in place, and abuilding permit will soon be submitted.

Construction is slated to begin by the fall, and he expects the project to be completed by the start of 2019.

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