Family to Family

Family-owned and operated Country Grocer purchases the four 49th Parallel stores from retiring Richmond family owners

BY JENNIFER BLYTH

The Country Grocer family has grown by four.

The Island-grown Country Grocer and its Island Independent Buying Group purchased the four Cowichan Valley-area 49th Parallel stores Feb. 20, following the retirement of 49th Parallel founders Wayne and Harmina Richmond.

Joining the Country Grocer family are stores in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Duncan.

As part of the succession plan for 49th Parallel’s Richmond family, the sale represents the unification of two local, family-run and community-focused grocery retailers.

“The Richmond family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our loyal communities where we operate, and to the entire 49th Parallel grocery team for their enduring commitment to quality and service over the past 46 years,” says Peter Richmond, 49th Parallel President and CFO. “We are delighted to see the business become part of a bigger, multi-generational, family-operated grocery business with similar family and community values as 49th Parallel grocery. Country Grocer is the ideal ownership group to keep the independent voice alive and well here on Vancouver Island.”

Wally Large, Country Grocer co-founder, says the team is thrilled about the acquisition, and looks forward to working with everyone on the 49th Parallel team.

All staff from the four stores will join the Country Grocer family. In addition, Peter will stay on for several months to assist with the transition, and sister Kathy will continue in an operations role with Country Grocer.

“Our ownership team has an incredible amount of respect for the Richmond family and the amazing job they have done serving the communities that they operate in,” Wally says.

“Much like the Richmond family business,

Country Grocer’s operations had humble beginnings in 1984 here on Vancouver Island, and today is operated by a multi-generational ownership team who will be dedicated to continuing the legacy of quality service to these communities for years to come.”

The four 49th Parallel locations collectively comprise more than 80,000 sq. ft. of grocery retail space and employ more than 380 team members. They’ll join Country Grocer’s stores in Greater Victoria (Saanich and Esquimalt), Salt Spring, Cobble Hill, Lake Cowichan and Nanaimo (Bowen Road and Chase River).

A key factor in the sale was Country Grocer’s community-minded approach and Island roots, says Peter, whose parents Wayne and Harmina founded 49th Parallel in 1976.

“It hasn’t been an easy decision for the family, but after 46 years, Mom and Dad will be able to see it from start to finish,” he reflects.

Peter and sister Kathy have grown up in the business, but with the ‘next generation’ of the Richmond family happily pursuing other careers outside the grocery industry, it was time to look at alternatives.

“The fit with Country Grocer is just perfect – family to family and filled with mutual respect,” Peter says, noting that dad Wayne started in the business with Rob Large. “And when I was 14, Wally Large was my boss!” he laughs.

“We’re excited to see a family-run, independent grocer get bigger and stronger.”

Beyond the family connection, Country Grocer’s commitment to its team and community were also key for the Richmond family, Peter notes.

And, sharing similar beliefs in giving back,“we know they’ll carry on the legacy in the community.”

Tyler Large, Country Grocer’s North Island Operations Director and one of the second-generation of the company’s leadership team, agrees.

“This was the right fit for our customers and the right fit for us,” Tyler says.

“It’s been 11 years since we added the

Bowen Road store, so when the opportunity came to welcome four new stores that were already so complementary to our own, we knew it was the right decision.”

With the transition underway, the leadership teams at the 49th Parallel stores are working with suppliers and the Island Independent Buyers Group – the Country Gro- cer-owned warehouse serving all its locations. As always, they and their Country Grocer counterparts are happy to hear from you as to programs and products you’d like to see!

You’ll find a convenient form online at countrygrocer.com or check in with Customer Service at your local store.

Celebrating a long Country Grocer history on Vancouver Island

1984

Wally Large and Henry Zwynenburg open Food Country in Nanaimo

2001

Island Independent Buying Group warehouse expands to 45,000 sq. ft.

2005

A brand new Village Market opens in Lake Cowichan

2023

1985

The Ganges Village Market opens on Salt Spring Island

2000

The Royal Oak store relocates to a bigger new space

2008

Stores unite under Country Grocer banner; 46,000-sq.ft.

Chase River store opens in South Nanaimo

Country Grocer welcomes 4 new stores from the 49th Parallel family: Duncan, Chemainus, Cedar and Ladysmith

1986

Joanne & Pete Pimlott open Village Market in Lake Cowichan; Peter Cavin, Mark Wilson and Brett & Jody Large open Esquimalt Plaza Foods

1999

The Cobble Hill store opens under the Country Grocer banner

2009

Grand re-opening of renovated stores in Esquimalt and Salt Spring

2014

Country Grocer celebrates 30 years!

1997

1987

The Victoria group opens a second store in Victoria’s Royal Oak neighbourhood

Nanaimo & Victoria groups create the Island Independent Buying Group, with its warehouse in Chemainus

2012

Brand new Nanaimo Country Grocer opens at Dufferin Crescent

2013

Country Grocer launches the first issue of Friends & Family magazine