When one grocery store closes, another one opens.
Back in March of this year, Old Town Market at 170 Hollywood Road South suddenly closed down abruptly without any warning or explanation.
But two months later, Okanagan Wholesale Cash & Carry opened, filling the space where Old Town Market was. The store is also known at Bachhat Bazaar and is known for it's cheaper prices and supporting local and farmers around the Okanagan.
"From farm to table, we are your connection to fresh," it reads on the side of the store.
Kelowna residents are raving about the store as well. In early September, resident Kyla Hanna made a post on the Kelowna Rant and Rave Facebook group to complement the store and its prices, saying she got six bell peppers for $1.38 and apples for 40 cents a piece.
The store replied, saying "Thank you for your support. We are committed to supporting local farmers and our people as much as possible. We will continue this support."
But what's better than one new grocery store? How about two new stores?
Another grocery market has also recently expanded to Kelowna and settled in Rutland. Sabzi Mandi Supermarket opened its 14th store, located at 284 Highway 33 West on Friday, Nov. 15.
According to the store's website, they are 100 per cent family owned and operated.
"It is our commitment to bring the freshest produce and best quality products to our customers," states the website on the About Us page. "We source from best producers and vendors locally, regionally, and internationally."
The store has five locations and their head office in Surrey, two in Abbotsford, as well as Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, Nanaimo, Courtenay, and Calgary.
"For us, each community where we have a store is like an extended family," reads the website. "We recognize that businesses must invest beyond their business interests to create a prosperous neighbourhood. Therefore, we support local charities and organizations working for the all-round development of the community. We also try our best to hire members from the local community to work at the store located in their neighbourhood."
The first store opened in May 2003.
