Residents thrilled with new grocery store

A long-awaited grocery store in Georgetown South opened its doors to the public Wednesday morning. The 39,000 sq. ft. A&P store located in Halton Hills Village plaza at Mountainview Rd. and Argyll Rd. was busy as many area residents were on hand for the grand opening and to do some shopping. Those polled were impressed with the new store that will be open 24 hours, seven days a week. Area resident Catherine Meyer liked what she saw. "It really is great," said Meyer. "We've waited a few years. I live right around the corner, so it's nice to be able to walk to the store." "It's very convenient," said Georgetown South resident Lori Martin. "It's a beautiful store." Rein and Margaret Pater were both excited to finally have a grocery store in their neighbourhood. "We're very pleased about it because we always had to go quite a way (for groceries)," said Rein. "I think it's about time we got some more services in Georgetown South. We have always been the Cinderella of Georgetown." "It's fantastic to have a store that I can walk to," said Margaret. Before a ribbon was cut to mark the official opening the crowd on hand listened to the St. Brigid School choir sing O Canada. The school later received a $1,000 donation from A& P-- $500 for the school and $500 for its Breakfast for Learning program. "I have the great pleasure of bringing a brand new fresh obsessed A&P store to the Georgetown community," said store manager Vic Valliere. "We're taking our fresh obsession to new heights with our new A &P store in Georgetown," said Doug Brummer, vice-president, Marketing & Corporate Development. "Customers will be impressed with our fresh offering including our gourmet meat counter, our unparalleled seafood department with temperature humidity-controlled cases, our bakery where we bake 27 varieties of bread three times a day; and extensive fresh produce selection-- all of which are backed by our Fresh or Free guarantee." The store, which has resulted in more than 170 jobs, includes a wide range of services and features including the Fresh 2 Go department offering stone-baked pizza, hot meals, classic Italian sandwiches at the pannini counter, handrolled sushi and gelato. The full-service floral department offers floral arrangements for any occasion, including wedding packages and funeral arrangements. The Patisserie L'éclair offers a wide selection of desserts and provides a small bakery shop feel to the store. All pastries are made fresh in the store. The store also features a full pharmacy. Throughout this weekend there will be several in-store activities, including free demonstrations, face painting and airbrush tattoo artists for the kids, giveaways and free coffee. A&P's other store in town, located at Guelph St. and Sinclair Ave., will remain open, Tammy Smitham, A&P's Communications Director, said Wednesday. She said the company plans to make no changes to that store, and it will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Smitham said the company's market research showed the town could support two stores as "Georgetown is very much divided."

The new A&P store in Georgetown South opened Wednesday as store manager Vic Valliere (centre) cut the garland, with a little help from Bob Seguin (left) A&P vice-president or Operations West, and Vince Bertrand (right) A&P vice-president of Operations. Helping out as well were choir members from St. Brigid School.

Georgetown South resident Lori Martin and her children Sydney (left) and Corey were at the new A&P store for its grand opening Wednesday. Martin was impressed with the store and the fact its so close to home.