With a large ethnic community to draw from, Guelph seemed like a great place to expand, says Qing Qing Lin, the owner of Ethnic Supermarket, which is moving into the Victoria Road spot Len’s Mill Store previously called home.
“We are bringing a new style to Guelph,” Lin said of the chain’s multicultural approach. “I am excited.”
A “coming soon” banner is hung on the front of the building, found at 234 Victoria Rd. S. Renovations are currently underway and Lin hopes the 45,000 square-foot store will be ready to open in March.
Existing Ethnic Supermarket stores offer a variety of multicultural items, and the same can be expected in Guelph, said Lin. That includes flavours from various Asian countries including India, Philippines and China, among others, all in one store.
In addition to produce, meat, Halal meat, barbecue, sushi and general grocery departments, the store will offer prepared meals at its food court.
Ethnic Supermarket has two existing locations, with one in Milton and another in Windsor. Guelph will be the third, Lin said, adding more than 80 people will be hired for the store.
The Milton location opened in 2019 and the Windsor store, which goes by the name MultiFood Supermarket, launched in 2015.
Len's Mill has relocated to the former Frederick's Furniture Gallery on Woodlawn Road after 20 years at the Victoria Road spot.
To check out the Ethnic Supermarket's offerings, visit ethnicsupermarket.ca.