Okanagan Falls is now without a grocery store.
IGA closed this week, as announced in June, meaning about 2,500 residents of the community on the south end of Skaha Lake now need to travel into Oliver or Penticton for groceries.
While the 20 minute drive north or south is an inconvenience for some, it’s a much greater problem for those without a vehicle, like some moving into a soon-to-be-completed 26-unit BC Housing seniors’ project on 8th Ave.
Rumours are swirling in the community about the possibility of a new grocer stepping into the void.
“I’ve heard a lot, but unfortunately nothing definitive,” said Area “D” OK Falls RDOS director Ron Obirek, adding he’s confident another grocer will jump on the opportunity.
“There are about 4,000 people in the immediate area, every one of them eats food, if they don’t they die — so there is a demand.”
“The community is excited about finding another grocer, I think there are many grocers that have been contacted by community members and likely the landlord,” he said.
“I’m confident that somebody is going to provide a service. I’ve heard more than one rumour.”
When the IGA closure was announced, parent company Georgia Main Food Group said the opening of No Frills in Oliver hurt their bottom line significantly. The IGA was doing sales more in line with a corner store than full-size grocer, they said.
– Colin Dacre, Castanet
