Country Grocer is taking over operation of four 49th Parallel stores, effective Monday, Feb. 20, in a deal which will affect shoppers in Cedar, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Duncan. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

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Country Grocer purchases four 49th Parallel stores, including Cedar & Ladysmith

Feb 14, 2023 | 4:18 PM

NANAIMO — An Island-owned and operated grocery chain is expanding.

Country Grocer has announced the purchase of 49th Parallel Grocery Group, effective Monday, Feb. 20, which will see four 49th Parallel stores in Cedar, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Duncan re-brand.

Tyler Large, north Island director of operations for Country Grocer, told NanaimoNewsNOW the changes will come into effect gradually beginning in Duncan this spring and rolling north over early summer.

“We’re hoping to take everything low and slow, we want to be very respectful to the communities and staff in all the 49th Parallells. There shouldn’t be too many changes, we want to maintain all the programs we currently have and the ones that are working very successfully in the 49th stores.”

Cedar will be the final store to see the re-brand take effect.

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Large said they’re focused on being good community partners in their new markets, taking over from the Richmond family who owned 49th Parallel for nearly 50 years.

Country Grocer currently operates seven stores, including Nanaimo locations on Bowen Rd. and in Chase River.

Adding in four more on the central Island won’t stress supply chains, according to Large. Country Grocer runs its own distribution centre, enabling many stores to purchase products direct.

“Hopefully, the customers and communities alike will be able to see a better continuity of goods and services within all four stores. We try to buy the majority of our grocery-related products…through our warehouse to try and make things as simple as possible.”

Also hoped to continue is staffing at the four, soon-to-be former 49th Parallel stores.

“We’re hoping there are no staffing faults. We’re very much hoping to keep everyone on, everyone that wants to stay with us that’s currently working with 49th. They have a tremendous team that have helped build their brand and businesses…we want to keep everyone on with them.”

Country Grocer began operating in 1984 and outside Nanaimo, runs stores in Victoria, Cobble Hill, Lake Cowichan and Salt Spring Island.

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