The wait is almost over as workers scramble to get the new No Frills grocery store ready to welcome Chemainus shoppers.
The site has been a beehive of activity in recent weeks as shelving, refrigeration units and other equipment has been moved into position in anticipation of a late August opening. An extensive renovation has taken place over the last six months.
A grand opening of the approximately 11,000 square foot store will be held on Thursday, August 21 with dignitaries and community leaders expect to attend to welcome the newest business to Chemainus. The store is located at 9790 Willow Street, across from Waterwheel Park.
The building was once home to Chemainus Foods (re-named from the original Bruce’s Grocery) until it closed in early 2016. The building was vacant until the spring of 2020 when the Chemainus Public Market opened. The Market closed at the end of 2024. The building is owned by Anthem Properties, a Vancouver-based company that owns several properties in downtown Chemainus.
No Frills is a franchise operation owned by Loblaw. The company plans to open two No Frills on Vancouver Island as part of an ambitious nation-wide expansion of its discount stores.
As well as the Chemainus store, a No Frills will open in downtown Victoria at the Victoria Public Market in early 2026.
Vancouver Island currently has one No Frills outlet located in Port Alberni.
Loblaw says it will be investing $2.2 billion in 2025 opening 80 new grocery and pharmacy stores across Canada, focusing primarily on hard discount banners No Frills and Maxi.