And customers couldn't be any happier.
Marystown council approved a permit Tuesday for Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based Ryson Interior Construction to make renovations to the space left vacant by Sobeys in the Marystown Mall after it opened a new box store in the community in November 2010.
The company is working on behalf of Loblaw Companies Limited, which closed its Dominion store in the Peninsula Mall in Marystown in early 2010, to open a ‘nofrills'.
Loblaw currently operates some 175 stores under its discount chain banner in eight Canadian provinces, including Paradise and Clarenville in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The public relations department for Loblaw declined an interview with The Gazette last week and in an email said it is "not in a position to discuss any potential plans for this location at this time."
Following the council meeting, Mayor Sam Synard said he planned to call the company to welcome them back to the community the following day.
"Competition is really good. People are looking for competition in the grocery business. Nofrills is, of course, owned by Loblaws, so they come with a lot of history behind them as well.
"I think it will creating an extra 30, 40, 50 jobs in the community, which is wonderful."
In Marystown Mall Thursday, Alp Hardiman of Garnish was all for another grocery store in the area.
"I think it's a good idea for competition because we need it."
Susanna Baker of Marystown agreed it will be good to have another shopping option in town.
"I think the prices are outrageous. I'm glad. Can't wait for it to open."
Bud Pollett, owner of Jasmine Jewellery in the mall, was hoping the company planned to open up an exit inside the building, as had once been the case in the space in the past.
"If people can look down across, they might be more enticed to dart down through."
Never the busiest place in recent years, and even slower after Sobeys left, he said the new grocery store should help.
"It ought to increase traffic in the mall. That's for sure. It'll do that much."
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