LANGFORD, BC – After about a year and a half of planning and preparation, Vancouver Island owned grocers Quality Foods opened their doors this morning to what they are calling their ‘new store in WestShore’ at 977 Langford Parkway.

Store manager Jordan Schley welcomed his new customers amid camera flashes and a sixfoot custom cake. “We are very excited to open the first QF in the Greater Victoria area, and we hope you enjoy everything the new store has to offer.”

Langford’s Mayor Stewart Young was on hand with support from several council and Chamber of Commerce dignitaries for remarks to the anxious crowd, and help cut the ribbon to mark the official opening.

His worship spoke about how he and council were very supportive of what’s been happening in Langford in recent years in the way of attracting business and creating jobs. “About a hundred new jobs have been created here at Quality Foods for residents of the area. What a great asset for the area, and what a great asset for our residents,” he commented.

The new store increases the total number of employed among all twelve QF stores to just under one thousand full and part time people.

Quality Foods co-founder Ken Schley introduced the store personnel as a group, many of them local people starting new careers with Quality Foods. “Everyone worked hard to get us to this day,” he added later. The location was completely transformed from a former furniture retail store. “The infrastructure needed for a food store required us to strip it right down to the bare concrete and pillars,” says Schley.

To acknowledge the company’s Vancouver Island roots, having started as Qualicum Foods in a single store in Qualicum Beach in 1982, they have integrated the phrase “an Island Original” into their communications. “We are one of a very few grocers who continue to be island owned and grown.”

Many of the company’s popular features and departments, such as forno-baked pizza, hot Chinese kitchen and in-store made fresh sushi were all prominent for the opening, along with some new features. “Our Island Smokehouse maple and cherry wood smoker is a first in the grocery industry on Vancouver Island, allowing us to slow-cook such items as pulled pork and beef brisket.”

As part of the grand opening celebrations, customers will have three opportunities each day to win the value of their grocery shop instantly at the checkout, and all shopping transactions using the free Q-Card rewards card will be ‘auto-entered’ to win a brand new Mini Cooper.

Also, as an incentive to pre-sign up for a new Q-Card online or with the QF App, digital customers can select a free product to be picked up on a future shopping trip.

For more information, please contact:
Rob MacKay,
Quality Foods Distribution Centre
250-248-4004
rob@qualityfoods.com