Taradale residents 'shocked' to lose community grocery store

Residents in the northeast community of Taradalesay they're not happy witha decisionby the Co-op grocery store chain to close astorein that community.

The store, at Falconridge Boulevard and 64th Avenue N.E., has been a focal pointof thecommunity for many years providingproduce andethnic groceriesincluding a halal meat counter for Muslim customersalong with abusypharmacy, popular with local seniors.

A sign in the window says the store will close on Dec.10.

"I'm very shocked, it's very sad," saidJeanette Kohlruss, a local resident who once worked at the store.

"I'm upset about it," said Devi Ramdial. "It's close and handy and I'm not happy about it closing down."

"It's easy for seniors to come here and the pharmacy is a really big thing for them, and the ethnic produce," said Ramdial.

"This is very sad," said Raphael Kamau."Now these jobs are going to be lost also."

"The seniors, the old, the young, we always come to hang out here and people just come here also for a cup of tea, so it's a not a very good thing," said Kamau.

"I've lived here all my life.We love this store and we're really sad to see it go," said Sheila Scott.

While manycan switchto shopping at neighbouringCo-opstoresat VillageSquare andMonterey, some are concerned thosewithout easy access to transportation or those on a budget, including seniors,may struggle.

"There were a lot of seniors that could just walk here.It's a shock for a lot of people,"said HarwinderKang, president of the TaradaleCommunity Association. "It's been an integral part of our community."

"They serve multiple communities, multiple cultures. We really appreciated the food and some of the meats,like Halal, they were careful about making sure different cultural and community backgrounds were served properly," said Kang.

"It definitely impacts the community," Kang said.

Calgary Co-op did notrespond to a request for an interview but the closuresign posted onthe store's front doorssaysthe liquor store and gas station will remain open. The food store and pharmacyclosenext month.

It's not known what will replace the space currently occupied by the food store, but according the City of Calgary's online cannabis store locations map,an application for a cannabis store has been approved at the Co-op address.

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