Edmonton welcomed its latest Safeway last week when a new location opened at the former Planet Organic site on Jasper Avenue.
The 25,000-square-foot store is Safeway’s 22nd location in the city and the first to open since the Sherwood Park Mall store opened in the spring of 2017.
The Oliver store includes an international foods section, a bakery offering custom-made cakes, a floral department and a deli.
Scott Chollak, vice-president of operations for Alberta with Safeway’s parent company Sobeys, said in a statement that offering a convenient grocery shopping option for Oliver residents was a big factor in selecting the site.
“The location is great for our customers as we’re situated on a key corridor in and out of the city core,” he said.
Chollak added that the opening is in line with a commitment by the City of Edmonton to revitalize an area recognized as the city’s main street for more than 100 years.
“We’re very excited to be part of that revitalization vision and proud to play an important role in the significant reinvestment for this area,” he said. “And we know having a new, central Safeway store for our customers will contribute to seeing these ambitious plans for downtown Edmonton come to life and bring even more shoppers and visitors to the area.”
The Oliver Safeway occupies the site of former retailer Planet Organic, which closed its Edmonton locations in March 2020.
Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, said new walkable stores like the Safeway will help meet the needs of more young people living and working near the core.
“It’s fantastic that it’s opening in that location,” she said. “(In Oliver) there are a lot of developers who are probably waiting for more amenities like grocery stores to go in before they can build more projects.”
As part of the opening, store manager Raquel Zein and her team donated $5,000 to Edmonton’s Food Bank, Sobeys spokesperson Paul Wyke said.
bmcbride@postmedia.com
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Safeway opens at old Planet Organic site in Edmonton's Oliver neighbourhood – Edmonton Journal
