People power helps motivate Metro to reopen a grocery store in the Timmins area
Some people who live in the east end of Timmins are celebrating the reward of their hard work. When their main grocery store closed for good three years ago, a team of community members fought the decision.
In August 2019, Metro closed its grocery store in the mall without much explanation, other than saying there wasn't enough traffic.
Residents in the area weren't buying that.
They phoned Metro demanding answers; they asked Timmins city council to lobby on their behalf; and they collected 4,000 signatures on a petition showing that people wanted their grocery store back.
Company officials told CTV News the collective effort motivated them to decide to put a Food Basics where the Metro was previously located in the mall.
“When you see the passion of the community and the people in the community, it does have an impact and I think they should be applauded for what they did; it was an amazing effort what they did and so it was part of the decision," said Paul Bravi, senior vice-president, Food Basics.
The opening of a new grocery store is important news to people in the South Porcupine and Porcupine area and they thank Metro for listening to them.
“They know how the residents feel about having a grocery store and that was one of the comments that the VP said -- that he recognized the comments from the community," said Theresa Rycaj, a resident of Porcupine.
"So good for the committee that did the hard work and I can’t thank them enough."
Construction of the new store -- a $3 million investment -- is expected to begin in August.
The mayor of Timmins added that all the positive economic developments happening in the area helped seal the deal.
“The fast-tracking of the pre-feasibility study for Kidd Creek, that’s tremendously good news; the continuing good news about Canada Nickel; Galleon Gold of course will be out next (with a) precious metal discovery," said George Pirie.
Bravi said he can't give a specific opening date for the new store due to pandemic conditions, but said he hopes it'll be open in time for Christmas. He added people can expect a store similar to the Food Basics in Timmins.
As an added gesture of goodwill, the company made a recent $2,500 donation to the South Porcupine Food Bank.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.