Strachan Corner still missing its anchor

By Collin Gallant on August 24, 2018.

NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
A worker enters the planned location of Save On Foods, located at 1820 Strachan Rd,, on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Reports state that the opening of the newly constructed grocery store, which was originally scheduled for this fall, will open next spring as repair work is completed.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant

The original opening date for a new grocery store in town is months past, and the company is now reporting its local space won’t be ready until next spring.

Meanwhile, other enterprises are open and work is set to commence today on finishing space for a new “upscale-casual” restaurant in the same development.

Save-On-Foods is the anchor in the new Strachan Corner development in south Medicine Hat that saw a former Walmart demolished and rebuilt as major bays.

Two other store fronts in the main building opened this summer, and the franchise owner of Browns Social house announced an early January opening day, but crews continue to work at the largest bay, which is set aside for the grocer.

Save-On-Foods Company Darrell Jones president told a local media outlet this week that work to improve the electrical system in the building is required this fall. The new schedule features an opening by April 2019.

Media communications officers for the Overwaitea Food Group confirm work will commence this month after an undisclosed delay, and an effort will be made to have the outlet opened as soon as possible in 2019.

Its location would be the first in Medicine Hat, where parent company, the Jim Pattison Group, has broadcasting interests.

B.C. based Save On Foods is in the midst of a expansion in Western Canada, branching into mid-sized Alberta markets and also opening stores in Saskatchewan.

The owner of Browns Social House says construction schedule was set this week, and a 18-week window will likely see the enterprise open in early January.

Franchise owner Neil Tulloch, of Regina, says he chose Medicine Hat as his second location of the chain that now has more than 60 locations because of Medicine Hat’s size, its location and strong local business climate.

“Medicine Hat is a good spot, exactly the right size of city to support it, and the business climate there is really, really attractive,” said Tulloch, who also owns the Browns in Chestermere.

He described the restaurant’s atmosphere as relaxed, with quality fare that should be attractive to travellers and residents.

Other portions of the Strachan Corner development are opening as well.

A gas bar and coffee shop opened in new perimeter buildings of the site once occupied by a vacant Walmart supercentre, but which was bought by Edmonton-based Brentwood Developments in 2016.

In the main building, Liquor Depot and OrangeTheory Fitness are up and running in mid-sized bays, while construction fence still cordons off a future Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Elsewhere, Freshii food counter opened in late June and a grand opening is planned for mid-September.

“Things are going really well,” said manager Vihavjid Singh. “People seem to know how to find us.”