Dear Editor:
I'd like to voice my objection to the fact that Thrifty's will have to move away from our area, Sapperton.
I read with dismay that the Thrifty's store in Sapperton must close due to competition laws, and was somehow involved with a purchase of the Canada Safeway stores. I don't understand why Thrifty's has to move when there are several Safeway stores already within driving distance?
This is the only Thrifty's (or any supermarket) local store, and provides a very much needed community grocery store. Yes, there are numerous other supermarkets around in our area, but my choice is this fairly new Thrifty's. They are very helpful and have so many choices of interesting and different items that I can't easily locate at other supermarkets. I'm sure that the staff at the Royal Columbian Hospital and others will also be very disappointed by this decision, because of the convenience of Thrifty's location.
I live locally (Sapperton), and find Thrifty's not only very convenient and easy to get to (park at, etc.), but their hours are amazing. I don't enjoy grocery shopping, but the ability to go when there aren't crowds is wonderful.
It's not easy for me to walk around these days, but if I could, I'd be even more upset about Thrifty's having to close down because it's within easy walking distance of numerous developments (Palace Quay, Victoria Hill, and the locals). Thrifty's also provides some much-needed services and programs for folk who can't get around, or even get out to shop.
What other store coming in there will do the
same for the local community? And why should another store come in anyway when we have a very decent, well-run, community-focused store already?
My main question then is, if there will be another grocery store coming into the Thrifty's location anyway, why must Thrifty's have to leave? Especially when they provide such strong community support?
Susan Greffard
