New FreshCo Store Opens in Jane-Finch Mall

See VideoA year to build.In a change that was nearly a year in the making, residents will once again be able to buy their groceries at Jane-Finch Mall with the opening of a new FreshCo location.Jane-Finch Mall had been without a grocery store since Price Chopper closed down last March. Since then, the store was demolished and completely rebuilt.Rob Adams, Gen. Manager of FreshCo Ontario.“Price Chopper did its job in its day, but things change,” said Rob Adams, General Manager of FreshCo. “We really couldn't offer what we needed to to cater to the community properly.”Not only has the FreshCo location doubled in size from the Price Chopper, it has also added a diverse selection of international food items catering to a multicultural community.Quality Products, Multicultural Selection.“It can fool you, it's a discount store,” Adams said. “When you walk around, you're going to get quality product, great international assortment and the lowest prices.”“There's not anybody that lives around here that won't be able to get what they need.”Caribbean Seafood, Halal Butcher Shop.Inside, you can purchase fresh produce such as cassavas and soursop, or browse three aisles filled with international foods, which are divided by ethnicity.The store also features a Caribbean seafood market and a halal butcher shop, things you wouldn't normally find at a discount supermarket.$500.00 in giftcards donated to Firgrove P.S.To celebrate the opening, Michael Delle Monache, the store manager, said FreshCo has donated $500 in gift cards to Firgrove Public School to help support the school's meal program, which serves students three times a day.“Having [FreshCo's] wonderful support is key to feeding our students and making sure that they are able to learn and to stay engaged all day,” said Nancy Jassal, Vice Principal of Firgrove P.S. “Our morning meal program serves up to 500 students every single day, we also have a lunch program that serves over 150 students.”Jassal said that Firgrove P.S., in partnership with the Toronto Foundation For Student Success has been serving meals to students every week for over 15 years.Michael Delle Monache, Store Mgr. is ready to beat competitor's prices!Michael Delle Monache, the store manager, said that if any of their competitors offer any item for cheaper, as long as a customer brings in a current flyer or valid receipt, FreshCo will beat the price by less a penny. You can also show flyers electronically on your smart phone.Delle Monache said the new FreshCo is not only double the size of the previous Price Chopper location, but it has also doubled its number of employees as well, the overwhelming majority of which, live in the Jane-Finch community.“We were roughly 50 (staff) in size when we were the Price Chopper, now we're well over 100 as a FreshCo,” Delle Monache said. “I would put a rough estimate that 93 per cent of our employees all reside from within a 4 kilometre radius of this area.”Delle Monache, who previously ran a highly successful FreshCo store in Brampton, said that he's looking forward to serving the community and he encourages customer feedback.“I truly believe that it is a very important responsibility to help feed the community well and help them save money, and I take it very seriously,” Delle Monache said.