A new grocery option has arrived in Barrie’s southeast end, with Metro officially opening its second location in the city.
The 38,500-square-foot store at 640 Mapleview Drive East welcomed shoppers during its grand opening celebration. Local dignitaries — including Mayor Alex Nuttall, Ward 9 Coun. Sergio Morales, and Barrie South–Innisfil MP John Brassard — were on hand to mark the occasion.
Morales, whose ward includes the new store, said the arrival of another grocery option in the area has been a long time coming and is much needed by local residents.
“Ward 9 and southeast Barrie has been waiting a long time for more grocery store options, and the wait has finally ended with Metro’s opening at Yonge & Mapleview,” he said.
“Modern life’s demands leave very little free time for enjoyment and spending quality time with family: the last thing most residents want to do is trek across town to get groceries, discounts, or speciality items.”
Nuttall noted that adding another grocery store closer to where residents live is another step towards more community-focused city building.
“Having grocery stores closer to where people live is exactly what we want,” he said. “We want people to have the opportunity to walk to a local store and pick up the groceries they need.”
Patricia Kelly, a local resident who stopped by on opening day, said she’s happy to see a new grocery store in the neighbourhood.
“It’s really convenient to have a store like this nearby,” she said. “There’s nothing wrong with a bit more variety in the area so I’m looking forward to using this store when I go food shopping.”
Officials from Metro’s corporate head office also attended the event and presented the Barrie Food Bank with a $5,000 donation.
Southeast residents can look forward to more grocery choices, with a new Sobeys store planned as part of a future commercial development at 651, 659, 665, 669, and 673 Mapleview Drive East.
