New grocery store opens in Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood

Residents lined up for the grand opening of a new grocery store in the heart of downtown Ottawa, steps away from the LRT. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

Shoppers in Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood have a new option for grocery shopping, as Food Basics opens its first urban concept store in the capital.

Food Basics officially opened its new store on Queen Street at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

“The 150th Food Basics location is designed with downtown shoppers in mind; efficient layouts, fast self-checkout options, and the same low prices Food Basics is known for,” Food Basics said in a statement.

The grocery store is located in the Claridge Moon building on Queen Street at Lyon Street, near the Lyon O-Train station.

“I’m really happy; it’s nice and close,” said Nicole Caron, who was one of the first shoppers inside the store. “So now we have a little bit of competition.”

The 22,000 sq. ft. store will employ 90 people.

“We’re proud to bring Ottawa its first urban-format Food Basics, offering even more ways for residents to save on quality products,” said John Manax, vice-president of Operations at Food Basics.

“No matter where you live, people are always looking for ways to save. Residents who may be first-time shoppers at Food Basics will get to know us as a discount grocer that is a reliable source for fresh, always in-stock, healthy food at great prices.”

Shoppers are happy to see another grocery store in Centretown.

“There’s all these condo high rises downtown and so we need the infrastructure to support these,” said Suzanne Yule of the need for a grocery store in this area.

“I find it very well designed,” Terrie Meehan. “I can get through without it being a bit of a labyrinth.”

According to the Food Basics website, the store will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katie Griffin