BRAMPTON, ON, August 14, 2026 – Eldho's Your Independent Grocer is celebrating its grand reopening with an enhanced shopping experience, expanded fresh departments and a continued commitment to serving the Fernie community. Located at 1792A 9th Avenue, the store will officially reopen its doors on Friday, August 14 at 8:00 a.m.

To celebrate the grand reopening, customers can enjoy a ribbon-cutting ceremony, product sampling throughout the day, including parmesan and cheddar cheese, grand opening specials, and an exclusive PC Optimum^TM points offer

"We're excited to welcome customers to a refreshed store designed to make shopping easier, more enjoyable and full of fresh choices," says Eldho Thankachan, Store Owner. "Our vision has always been to create more than just a grocery store. We want every customer to feel genuinely welcomed from the moment they walk through our doors and know they're shopping with a business that cares about this community."

The renovated store features expanded fresh departments, enhanced shopping convenience and an improved assortment throughout the store, including:

• Expanded Fresh Departments: A larger deli and Grab and Go department, upgraded meat and seafood counters, fresh bakery and an all-new Produce Salad Bar offering fresh meal solutions for every occasion.

• Enhanced Everyday Shopping: An improved grocery assortment featuring fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, natural and organic products, international foods and seasonal merchandise.

• Fashion, Health and Wellness: Joe Fresh apparel, Health & Beauty products and in-store Wellness services provide customers with added convenience in one location.

• Modern Shopping Experience: Brighter aisles, updated fixtures, improved department flow and enhanced merchandising create a more enjoyable shopping experience.

Eldho Thankachan joined Loblaw in 2016 as a part-time cashier after coming to Canada as an international student. Over the next several years, he advanced through leadership roles including Produce Manager and Assistant Store Manager before completing Loblaw's Franchise Development Program and becoming a Franchise Owner in 2021. Throughout his career, he has also mentored colleagues who have gone on to become Franchise Owners themselves.

Fernie has become home for Thankachan, his wife Ann and their son Adam. Since opening the store, they have focused on creating local employment opportunities, supporting community organizations, and building lasting relationships throughout the Elk Valley.

As part of its commitment to the community, Eldho's Your Independent Grocer is donating $2,500 to The Salvation Army Fernie to support local families and individuals experiencing hardship.

"Community involvement has always been one of our core values," says Thankachan. "Every customer who walks through our doors gives us another opportunity to give back, create local opportunities and strengthen our community. We're grateful for the support Fernie has shown our family, and we're proud to continue investing in the place we call home."

Eldho's Your Independent Grocer proudly employs more than 100 employees, helping serve the Fernie community while providing customers with fresh food, everyday essentials and convenient shopping close to home.

Media Contact:

pr@loblaw.ca(Open in a new tab)

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, and the nation’s largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, and healthcare services, other health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, financial services and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,800 locations, Loblaw, its franchisees and Associate-owners employ more than 220,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada’s largest private sector employers.

Loblaw’s purpose – Live Life Well^® – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the company’s stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,100 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart^® and Pharmaprix^® locations and in close to 500 grocery stores; PC Financial^® services; Joe Fresh^® fashion and family apparel; and four of Canada’s top-consumer brands in Life Brand^®, Farmer’s Market^TM, no name^® and President's Choice^®. For more information, visit Loblaw’s website at www.loblaw.ca and Loblaw's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca(Open in a new tab)