Kennedy’s Lakeside Grocery is taking stock in downtown Barrie.
The city’s core, and its residents, are getting a badly needed food store.
Coun. Craig Nixon says conversations also involving Mayor Alex Nuttall with proprietor Adam Kennedy during the past few months helped lead to the lease at 90 Collier St./55 Mulcaster St. of 3,400 square feet.
Nixon, who represents this area, said it’s just what is needed there.
“Our downtown residents have been lacking a grocery store within walking distance since Christies IGA closed in the mid-1980s,” he said. “It is one of the most common concerns that I hear from residents living downtown.
“Now that it is coming, I urge them to support it," Nixon added.
Kennedy has said the grocery store will operate on a small fruit stand model and he’s aiming for an Aug. 1 opening.
Nixon said he believes most downtown Barrie residents do their grocery shopping at the Blake Street No Frills, at the Zehrs on Essa Road or at one of several Bayfield Street stores.
“I have not seen a study, however I am assuming that the elderly residents who do not drive are having to take taxis, a bus or rely on friends and relatives,” Nixon said. “Being able to walk and pick up a few things once or twice a week will be a welcome relief to them.”
The Ward 2 councillor was asked if Kennedy’s Lakeside Grocery requires any approvals or permissions by the City of Barrie or council to operate there?
“If there are any renovations to the building required, there would be standard inspections from our building and/or fire department and the (Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit) would need to ensure that all health regulations are met,” Nixon said.
“However, the city does not license grocery stores with the exception of situations where the store is also providing a restaurant takeout services, which I do not believe this is the case (with Lakeside Grocery)," he added. "It is not something that city council would need to approve.”
This 11-storey building is owned by Jamie Massie, Dino Melchior and Mike Stollery.
Melchoir, CEO of M Group of Companies, manages the project and welcomed Kennedy’s Lakeside Grocery to the downtown.
“We look forward to welcoming many more new tenants over the next year and turning this project around to be a vibrant part of our downtown,” he said.
