The grocery scene here in Crowsnest Pass

Big changes are happening in the grocery scene here in Crowsnest Pass, and I’m excited to see how it’s all coming together. There’s been plenty of talk about a second grocery store possibly opening in town, giving all of us more options and marking an important step forward for our community. As I think about these developments, it’s worth taking a look at how we got here and the people who helped make it happen.

It all started when our municipal council sold the land at Crowsnest Crossing to Shift Enterprise, with one major condition: the buyer had to include a grocery store in their plans. But beyond that, council had no say in which grocery store it would be. When Shift Enterprise announced that IGA would be opening at the site, council members were just as surprised as the rest of the community.

The decision to move IGA to Crowsnest Crossing wasn’t made by council but by Empire Company, the parent corporation of grocery chains like Sobeys, Safeway, and IGA. Empire makes those decisions based on its business strategy, and the town council’s role ended with setting the requirement for a grocery store when the land was sold.

That said, none of this would have happened without the persistence of a local business owner who worked tirelessly to push for better grocery options in our community. Their advocacy was the spark that got things moving, and it’s even been credited with prompting the intervention of the Competition Bureau. The Bureau stepped in after hearing concerns about how a lack of grocery store competition was affecting prices and services in our area. This was a critical turning point, as the Bureau’s involvement helped push the process along and made it clear that the status quo needed to change. It’s a great example of how one person’s determination, combined with the support of larger institutions, can lead to meaningful change for everyone.

While many people, myself included, are thrilled to see IGA opening a ‘Super Store’, the idea of a second grocery store has taken the excitement to another level. Two stores in town could mean more choice, better prices, and improved service, not to mention the potential to attract shoppers from surrounding areas, which would give our local economy a boost.

What I find most interesting about this situation is how it highlights the different roles that local government and private businesses play. Council made a smart move by insisting on a grocery store as part of the Crowsnest Crossing deal, but once the land was sold, the decisions about which store to bring in and where to go next were entirely up to the businesses involved.

As I consider what a second grocery store could bring to our town, I see both exciting opportunities and potential challenges. More competition is great for shoppers, but it could also present hurdles for established businesses. Even with two grocery stores in town, it’s important that we continue to support our local small businesses, like Emilio’s Mercato and The Pantry.

In February, the Pass Herald will take a closer look at how the intervention of the Competition Bureau came about, thanks to the efforts of a local business owner. We’ll share an in-depth piece exploring how everything came together, from the initial advocacy that sparked the change to the role of council and the subsequent business decisions. For now, one thing is clear: Crowsnest Pass is changing and growing. The addition of IGA and the potential for another grocery store represent an exciting moment for our community. They show how local voices, government action, and private business can come together to create new opportunities.

It’s an exciting time for all of us here, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these changes will shape the future of our town.